New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-17
BRITISH FAVOR
REPLY TO OFFER
Say Answer Should at
Least Be Statement OF
Allies Object
PEACE PROPOSAL
NOT YET RECEIVED
French Success at Nerdun
Seen as RejOinder to
TeutOnic Note

London. Dec. I6. The Foreign ONCE
announced before closing to-day that It
had not yet received Che peace note,
and the prominent officials disc.a.med
knowledge Of It's contents beyond what
the newspapers had published.
The French success at Nerdun is ac.
claimed by all the London papers as
the French reply TO the German Enc
peror's speech 20 his troops in Alsace
and Chancellor Won Bcthmann-l.oll-
wcg's claim Of the inyincIbI.ity Of Ger
man arms.
Besides its military value, the new
success strengthens Tie position OF
Nivelle, helps steady the political site
uation in France. and gives the new
governments there and here a strong
card 70 play against the German peace
offers. The moral effect on the Ger
mans must certainly have been con-
siderable.
Press Favors Answering Note
The considered opinions in the Brit
ism press, as reflected in the latest
editorials, are almost unanimous that
Great Britain cannot ignore the over
lures and that the least the govern
ment can do is to make a statement on
the Allies aims and objects or ask for
the presentation Of the German terms
The weekly reviews, including the
financial organs, take the same line, as
do also the provincial papers. The only
notable exception has been the North
clife group, which Immediately urged
that Great Britain should ignore the
overtures.
Allies Want Terms
There appears 10 be consensus Of
opinion that the Allies should not con
slider entering into conference until
they know approximately the Central
Powers policy and unless they con
slider that that policy contains the
seeds for agreement. The Russian re-
lection Of the Overtures was published
too late for comment by the morning
papers. All the afternoon papers re-
frain from expressing their opinion
thereon.
Premier Lloyd Georges first appear
ance i'm the House Of Commons IN his
new capacity as Prime Minister, set
for Tuesday, may be delayed until the
government is IN position 90 pro
uounce a definite statement Of its pol
icy toward negotiations.
Sir Hedley lie Bias, who is a retired
soldier, writes to the papers urging
that the men in the trenches have the
highest right 20 speak on the question,
and that their view should be obtained
before any measures are decided upon.
Dispatches from Switzerland say that
Count Tisza, the Hungarian Premier,
has gone TO Berlin 10 use his influence
for peace.
Lloyd George Progressing
Premier David Lloyd George ig
making steady progress toward recoy-
cry, but Il Is considered unlikely that
his physicians would allow HIM 10
speak next Tuesday, rs his voice Is
affected.
Philip Snowdcn, Socialist member
for Blackburn, one Of the leaders of
the small pacfist group in the House
Of Commons, has made 10 known that
he intends 70 state the views of that
group in the Commons. It's members
believe that negotiations should be
opened, If only 10 state the terms Of
the Entente 20 the Central Powers.
THE Westminster Gazette to-day
says il viii be found that Mr. Snowden
is by no means an advocate Of peace
at any price and that his party has
definite views as 20 the reparation
which Germany should make. The be-
lief of this group that Germany is pre-
pared 60 grant reasonable terms is not.
however, says the newspaper, shared
by a majority of the House.
The first essential of peace, IN the
opinion Of "The Nation Is that both
sides shall concede the right to be in
dependent of all nations. Commenting
on Germany's peace offer, The Ma
ton" says:
"The test will come when our answer
is known and Germany las 70 decide
whether she will modify her offer and
come nearer 10 our position. The real
onus for the continuance Of the wal
will rest on the side which maintains
any demand which would be fatal 20
the independence and future Of any
beligerent.