Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1916-12-14
WILL STATE THE TERMS
Germany Threatens New TerroTs in
Warfare Unless Foe Consents to
Bring Conflict to a Close.

not disclose the definite proposals On
which Germany and her Allies are
prepared to make peace in his speech
before the Reichstag, such proposals
are ready and will be communicated
to the Entente powers If the Chah'
cellor's offer should fall upon res
ponsive ears.
Commenting on the peace propo-
sails the Germania, the Catholic or
gan. expresses especial pleasure that
the Central Powers appeal to the
Pope. as we'll as to other neutrals.
It enthusiastically approves the
neace overtures, which it terms the
privilege of the stronger in war and
= performance of the holiest of
dnties to humanity and Christian mo-
rality.
The question is, however, adds the
newspaper, whether Gernany's op-
moments will not reject the overtures
as frivolously as they started the
i war. Should they do this, it declares,
then there will be no one who can
fail to see for himself who the real
systematic destroyers Of the wor';i
are The German people to man
stand behind the Emperor's peace
overtures, it comments, but Germany
Will stand behind him "in holy unity
and holicr anger if his well-meant IN
tcntions are frivolously baked,
"Then circumstances will have to
take the course which just Goa
placed in our hands when He gave
US the power which our enemies al
ready feel so acutely and which they
will have to feel until the end"
"The condition of every peace
negotiation" says the Vossiche
Zeitunp, "must, of course, be con-
tinuation of the fight until the mo-
.1,,,nS ne,nt when lans!o,t; conditions nave
heen laid down, because the German
nronosals rest on the basis OF the
strength of our arms. The longer the
negotiations are prolonged the great
cr will be the advantages OF our
arms. If the German people see that
the peace offer bears no fruit they
will then, like their allies, demand
from the Government q continuation
of the war with all available means
eve want the war to end as quick
lily as possible.
IF the peace which we freely Of
fer is not accepted we will force
ace with the sword and by all
means of war on land, war on the
sea and war in the air.
The Tageblatt in its comment on
the peace proposals says;
Even if the Entente should re-
| iect the offer. the clever, concllla-
tory move will not be without faV-
! orable results"
The evening edition Of the Lokal
Anzeiger refrains from predicting
either success OF failure for Ger
many's peace overtures. 1t says:
1--we are prepared for peace, but
are ready to fight"
Paris, Dec. 14-The offer of peace
of Chancellor Won Bethmann-Ho!l-
veg is received with chorus OF de-
rision in the French press. The news
papers are unanimous that it is an
admission that the situation is get
ting critical in Germany and that
tho Chancellor wants way out be-
fore it is too late. His move is con-
! sidered to have the additional ad-
vantage that, in the event OF It's
failing. it will enable him to throw
the blame for the continuation OF the
war on the Allies, which ne nopeS
will have a moral effect on Germany
and the neutral nations.
London, Dec. IA Comment oy
newspapers and public men upon the
peace overtures Of the Teuton!c al
lies is almost with put exception
against acceptance of4the proposal
! Gilber: Parker Said:
|. Does any reasonable German
think that France, Russia, Italy, Eng
land, and above all Belgium, Ron'
mania, Serbia and Montenegro, woule
!agree to peace which did not IN
clude the restoration with due COM
tpensation of these small kingdoms
as they were. before the war? Does
ianyoae. suppose that we in this acoun'
! try, who went into the war bitterly
| o-ont;,ot- tho militia riSr,, thraaten-