The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1916-05-30
Reports, From Germany Say kai-
ser Is Prepared To Grant Com
plete Restoration Of Belgium
and Evacuate French Soil
.EL -
COLONEL HOUSE MAY .%
OPEN WAY TO PEACE

tAssocla.sd Prsss by rsdsral wirsls.s.l


..F ERIN, May 27.--Germany is
prepared to grant complete re-
storation Of Belgium and the por,
tions of France her armies now hold,
according to well defined reports cir,
cnlatinS here. ~
This attitude, which has become evi.
dent within the last few days, was put
into semi.official words yesterday fol.
lowing the repetition Of report from
Washington and New York that Colo
mel House Of Texas, the personal friend
and envoy Of President Wilson, is
about to make another trip TO Europe.
This report was received without
surprise in German official and initiate
circles, and was even hailed with pleas.
ure in many quarters where the belief
was expressed that Colonel House is
coming with proposal which will
make possible the laying Of firm foun-
dations for future peace negotiations.
This Hope Is Expressed ...... ~. ..
Such, at least, is the hope expressed
in many high places. AS ,ons person
put il Yesterday, cit is to be hoped
that the colonel win come as the har-
bingcr of peace, or at least come pre-
pared to lay the foundations for peace
proposals to follow"
In other quarters, while the report
was accepted as based upon fact, il
was pointed out that the trip Is unlike
ly until after the coming political con.
yentions in st. Louis and Chicago. AT
the same time il was said that Ger
many. is prepared to meet any reason
Gble suggestion that might be made by
the President s envoy. -
II was pointed out that the relative
military positions held by the Entente
z Niles and the Teutonic allies are such
as TO allow Germany great latitude to
make peace overturcs, should the basis
upon which they are made stand, q
shadow of a chance of meeting the ap
proval of the British, French and Rus
sian governments.
Berlin In Receptive Mood VIZ
In certain circles it was asserted
that Wilhelmstrassc is prepared even
70 regardEwith an open mind any sug
gestions that might be made concern
ing the situation in Belgium and the
parts Of France north of the Aisne, oc
cupicd by the TeutOnic forces.
Restoration is easily in the bounds
Of possibility" declared one Berliner
Of prominence in discussing the posi-
. bilities opened up by the announcement
of the coming visit of Colonel House.
That belief is shared in many quar-.
tiers, official, semi official and unofficial.
8 On One issue, however, it was every
where asserted, Germany stands firm.
No terms will be considered that will
mean the cessipn Of Alsac e. Lorraine, or
any Of the other fruits of the Franco
Prussia War. Should such suggestions
be made the government will not even
discuss them, it was asserted.
No Indemnity For Belgium
The Allies must also abandon their
idea of demanding indemnity for the
damage done in Belgium, it was insist
ed. This is another of the points upon
which Germany will not argue. No
compensation will be paid for the oe-
cOpation of Belgium, and IL the Entente
persists in demanding it the hopes of
/. peace undoubtedly will 60 glimmering.
Another thing that the Entente must
eliminate from the expectations IL has
been harboring, is the crushing of the
military power of Germany. and Aus
tria, Berlin feels that this is Bt matter
ct national life and death, and Is pre-
pared TO go down to utter ruin rather
than 10 relinquish one jOt or little of the
military power that has enabled her to
Withstand the assaults of her foes.
German Attitude Altered ,.1't-a., =
In the same quarters it was pointed
out that the attitude of Germany TO
ward many Of the yeKed territorial
pna financial questions which hitherto
have thRatened any peace proposals
with failure, has now materially alter
cd. There. would be no real difficulty
it was said in making satisfactory
arrangements for the settlement Of
tbase questions, providing the Entent'
lilies show Themselves willing Il
Pbandon their demands for i1demni
ties for Serbia and Belgium, and th'
crushing of the German tnthtary
pgWer, ~ 'HFs ~