The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1916-12-22
GERMANY SEEKS TO
END WORLD WAR
CENTRAL POWERS OFFERS PEACE
TO ENTENTE ALLIES IN NolE
ISSUED FROM BERLIN.
United States, Spain and Switzerland
Asked to Transmit the Proposal 10
the Entente Powers and Vatican
Asked to Help Make Peace

Berlin.-Germany offered peace TO
the allies on Tuesday, December L.
The imperial chancellor, DR.. Won
Bethmann- Hollweg, speaking for the
German empire and it's allies, Austria
Hungary, Bulgaria and Turkey, an
announced in the reichstag that he had
given to the diplomatic representatives
Of Spain, the United States and Switz-
erland a. Joint note addressed to Ger
manys enemies, proposing to them 10
enter into peace negotiations.
The chancellor did not announce the
terms upon which Germany and her
allies will make peace. Nor ale they
contained in the note he handed to the
three neutral diplomatists for trans
mission to the entente powers. The
only reference he made to them was
that they had the object of guarantee
ing the existence, honor and liberty OF
evolution" for the nations extending
the offer, and "are, according to their
firm belief, an appropriate basis for
the establishment of lasting peace"
This reference is contained in the
note addressed to the allies. The
representatives of Spain, the United
States and Switzerland were selected
for it's transmission because these
countries represented the entente in
erests in Germany and the coutries
of her allies.
simultaneously with the issuance of
the note to the allies Germany sent
communication to Pope Benedict,
through the German minister to the
vatican, DR.. Otto Won Muehlbach, no
tifying the pontiff of Germany's peace
move, eulogizing the holy father for
his efforts in behalf of peace during
the last two years, and expressing the
confidence that Germany's initiative
will find a friendly welcome on the
part Of his holiness, and that the work
of peace can count upon the precious
support of the holy sea-"
| Practically all members of the
reichstag answered the summons to
the capital. A crowded house thronged
the galleries and listened in respectful
silence when the chancellor arose to
begin his speech.
First, he outlined the extraordinary
political situation, and then, touching
upon the achievements of the central
powers, made the announcement which
possibly may act as the turning point
In the war which for more than two
years has held the world under it's
spell.
Text of Note.
Following is the text of the note adj
dressed by Germany and her allies to
the hostile governments;
THE most terrific war ever expert
enced In history has been raging for
the last two years and half over a
large part of the world-a catastrophe
which thousands of years of common
civilization was unable to prevent, and
which Injuries the most precious
achievements of humanity. Our aims
are not to shatter nor annihilate our
adversaries. In spite of our conscious
ness Of our military and economic
strength and our readiness to continue
the war (Which has been forced upon
us) until the bitter end, if necessary;
at the same time, prompted by the de-
sire to avoid further bloodshed and
make an end to the atrocities of war,
the four allied powers propose to en-
ter forthwith into peace negotiations.
The propositions which they bring
forward for such negotiations and
which have for their object a guaran-
tee of the existence, of the honor and
liberty of evolution for their nations
are, according to their firm belief. an
appropriate basis for the establish
ment of a lasting peace.
The four allied powers have been
obliged to take up arms to defend ius-
tlce and the liberty of national eyolu-
ton. The glorious deeds of our armies
nave IN no way altered their purpose.
we always maintained the firm belief
cnat our own rights and Justified
claims in no way control the rights of
these nations.
The spiritual and material progress
winch was the pride of Europe at the
beginning of the twentieth century is
threatened with ruin. GERMANY and
her allies, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria
and turkey, gave proof of their uncon.
queraole strength in this struggle.
They gained gigantic advantages over
adversaries superior in number and
war material. Our lines stand m.
shaken against eyer-repeated ATTEMPTS
made by armies.
The last attack in the Balkans has
been rapidly and victoriouslv over.
come The most recent events have
demonstrated that further continuan,,
Oh the war will not result in breaking
the resistance of our forces. and tbo