The Tomahawk., 1917-01-18
CLAIMS FOES AVOIDED
Definite TALK OF PEACE
Denies Proposition for Peace on Part
of Central Powers Was Without
Sincerity and Importance-En-
tente Powers Were to
Blame for Continuance.

ment has received the reply of the
Allies to the note of December IL, con-
tanning a proposition to enter at once
into peace negotiations. The note con-
tinues:
"Our adversaries declined this prop
osition, giving as the reason that it is
a proposition without sincerity and
without Importance. The form in
which they clothe their communication
excludes an answer to them, but the
imperial government considers it i'm
portant to point out to the govern
ments of neutral powers it's opinion re-
garding the situation.
Wont Discuss Wars Origin.
The Central powers have no reason
to enter into any discussion regard
ing the origin of the war. History
will judge upon whom the immense
guilt of the war shall fall, history's
verdict will as little pass over the en-
circling policy of England, the re-
vengeful policy of France and the
endeavor of Russia to gain Constantine
ople as over the instigation of the Ser
bian assassination in Sarayevo and the
complete mobilization of Russia, which
meant war against Germany.
Defending Existence.
Germany and her Allies, who had to
take up arms for defense of their
liberty and their existence, consider
this, their aim of the war, as obtained.
ION the other hand, the hostile pow
ers always went further away from
the realization Of their plans which,
according to the declaration of their
responsible statesmen were, among
others, directed toward the conquest
of Alsace Lorraine and several Prus-
sian province, the humiliation and
diminution of the Austro-Hungarian
monarchy, the partition of Turkey and
the mutilation of Bulgaria.
'In the face of such war aims, the
demand for restitution, PREPARATION and
guarantees in the mouth of our adver-
saries produces surprising effect.
Motives Frankly Explained.
"Our adversaries call the proposal
of the four Allied (Teutonic) powers
a war maneuver. Germany and her
allies must protest in the most ener-
getic fashion against such a charac-
terization of their motives which were
frankly explained. They were per-
suaded that peace which was just
and acceptable to all the belligerents
was possible, that it could be brought
about by an immediate, spoken ex-
change of views, and that, therefore,
the responsibility for further blood
shed could not be taken.
Belgium Is Blamed.
In conclusion the note says:
''The Belgian government declined
the repeated offer Of the imperial gov
eminent. Upon her and those powers
which instigated her to this attitude
falls the responsibility for the fate
which befell Belgium.
"The accusations about the German
warfare in Belgium and the measures
taken there in the interest of military
safety have been repeatedly refuted
by the imperial government as untrue.
Germany again offers energetic protest
against these calumnies.
Germany and her allies have made
an honest attempt to terminate the
war and open the road for an under
standing among the belligerents. The
imperial governments asserts the fact
that it merely depended upon the de-
cision of our adversaries whether the
road towards peace should be entered
upon or not The hostile governments
declined to accept this road. Upon
them falls the full responsibility for
the continuation of the bloodshed.
"Our allied powers, however, shall
continue the struggle in quiet* conf
dence and with firm trust in their
right, until peace is gained which guar
antees to their nations honor, exist
ence and liberty of development and
which to all the nations of the Euro
pean continent gives the blessing to
cooperate in mutual respect and under
equal rights together for the solution
of thesgreat problems of civilization"
Sunk Rv l.Roaf