Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-12-31
GERMAN PROPOSAL
|. IS CALLED EMPTY
AND |NS|NCERE.
Founded on Calculated Mis-
Interpretation of Char
acter of War.
FORMAL REPLY HANDED
TO AMBASSADOR SHARP
Declares No Peace Possible Tn
til Reparation for Violated
Rights Is Secured.
WASHINGTON REMAINS SILENT
Still Hopes That Some Means for
Further Exchange Between Bel.
ligerents Will Be Found.
WASHINGTON REMAINS SILENT
Still HOPES That Some Means for
Further Exchange Between Boil
ligerents Will Be Found.
TBy Associated Press


PARIS, December sO-In repiy to
the proffer Of Germany and her allies
for peace conference, the entente
allies. in collective note, declare
that they refuse to consider a pro.
posal which is empty and insincere."
Tho note was handed to the American
ambassador, William Graves Sharp, to-
day by Premier BRAND. and was made
public simultaneously In London and
Paris
The entente allied governments In
sist that no peace is possible 80 long
as they have not secured reparation
Tor violated rights and liberties and
the free existence OF small states and
nave not brought about a settlement
for the future security OF the world.
The note declares that the PROPOSAL
of the central powers is not an offer
OF peace. but a war maneuver" 1t is
declared to be founded on calculated
mislnterpretation OF the character of
the struggle in the past. the present
and the future"
The note does not specifically out
line the different war aims OF any OF
the entente governments except Bel
GUM Before the war, IL Is pointed
out. Belgium asked for nothing but to
live in harmony with her neighbors
Assailed in spite OF the treaties guar
anteeing her inviolability. Belgium, the
note says, has taken up arms to de-
fend her independence and "her neu-
trality violated by Germany"
BELGIUM FOR RE-EsTABLIsHMEN
OF PEACE AND JUSTICE
Beislums aim, which is declared to
be the only aim OF her King and gov
ernment. ia described as the re-estab-
hshment OF peace and justice. But
they only desire peace which would
assure to their country legitimate re-
paration. guarantees and safeguards
for the future"
The note. which is the Joint act OF
Belgium, France. Great Britain. Italy.
Japan, Montenegro. Portugal. Rou-
mania. Russia and Serbia, declares
that the present strife was desired,
provoked and declared by Germany
| and Austria Hungary, and that Ger
many made no effort to bring about
pacific solution OF the trouble between
Serbia and AUSTRIA Hungary. rs did
Great Britain. France and Russia.
"a peace concluded on the German
of the central powers" says the note.
while disasters caused by the war
demand penalties. reparation and
guarantees"
Tile German overtures are described
as it calculated attempt to influences
the future course OF the war and to
end it by imposing a German peace.
The overtures also are said to have
the effect or intimidating neutral pub
lie opinion as well as TO stiffen opn-
ion in the central powers. worn out
by economic pressure and crushed by
the supreme effort which has been i'm
posed upon their Inhabitants"
FINALLY" it is asserted, these over
lures attempt to justify in advance in
the eyes OF the world a new series OF
crimes--subma rine warfare, dcporta-
tious. forced labor and forced enlist
mcut Of the inhabitants against their
own countries and violations OF ncu-
trality."