Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-01-04
ALLIES TURN DOWN
GERMAN PROPOSAL
FOR CONFERENCE
LESS Peace Offer Than War Maneuver," Is the
Reply-Entente Disclaims Responsibility for
War-Central Powers Affirmation Is
"Doubly Inexact' Penalties Reparation
and Guarantees Demanded


fer Of Germany and her allies e", 81
p"ac" conference. the entente allies. ia
collective note, declare that thcr "rc-
us" to consider a proposal which -
empty and insincerc." The note hand
ed I" the American Ambassador. VIII
liam Graves Sharp. by Premier BRAND.
is made public simultaneously in Lon
dor and Paris.
The allied governments insist tina.
no peace is possible go long as they
have MT secured separation for viols-
ted rights and liberties and the free uN-
!stcncc of small States. ana have not
brought about a settlement for the flu
turc security of the world. The note
declares that the proposal Of the cen
trail powers is not an ofrcr Of peace, but
war manocuvre" Il is declared to
he founded on Calculated misintcrprc-
tation of tho character of the struggi"
in the past. the present and the future.
ONLY BELGIUM MENTIONED
The note does not specifically out
line the definite aims of any of the en-
tentc coNcrnments except belgium Be
fore the war. it is pointed out, Bel
Gium asked for NOTHING. but to live in
harmony with her noighbors. Assaulted
in spite of the treaties guaranteeing
her inviolablitY. Belgium, tho note says.
has taken up arms to defend her indc-
fendcncc and her neutrality violated
by GERMANY"
Belgum's aim. which is declared to be
the only aim of her King and govern
ment. is described as "thc rc-estapliSh-
mcnt Of peace and Justice But they only
desire peace which would assure to their
country legitimate reparation, guarau-
tees and safeguards for the future
TEN POWERS SIGN NOTE.
The note. which is the Joint at of
Belgium, France, Great Britain, Italy.
Japan, Montenegro, Portugal. Roumani1,
Russia and Serbia, declares that the pres
ent strife was desired, provoked and
declared by Germany and AuStria-iiun-
gary, and that Germany mad no effort
10 bring about a pacific solution t the
trouble between Serbia and Austria e
Hungary, as did Great Britain. France
and Russia. \ peace concluded upon the
German idea would Ice only 20 the ad-
vantage Of the central pnwcrs, says the
note. while disasters caused Ivy the war
demand penalties. PREPARATION and guar
antccs.
The German overtUrcs ore described rs
calculated attempt to influence the
by imposing n German peace. The over
lures are also said to have the effect
of intimidating neutral public opinion as
we'll as to stiffen opinion in the central
powers, worn out Ivy economic pressure
and crushed by the supreme effort which
has been imposed upon their inhabi-
tantS"
"finaly." it is asserted these over
lures attempt to Justify in advance in
the eyes Of the world a new series OF
mc-submarine warfare, deportations,
forced labor and forced enlistment OF
the inhabitants against their own coun-
tries and violations of neutrality"
TENT OF THE NOTE.
The tex of the note follows:
The allied governments of Belgium.
France, Great britain. Italy. Japan,
Montenegro, Portugal, Rounuania, Rus
STA and Serbia, united for the defense of
the liberty of their peoples and faithful
tn ENGAGEMENTS taken not to lay down
their arms separately, have resolved To
reply collectively to the pretended prop
ositious Of peace which we're addressed
To them on behalf of the enemy govern
ments through tn. intermediary of the
tnitcd states. Spain, switzerland and
Holland.
"Eefore making any reply the allied
powers desire particularly 20 protes,
against the two essential assertions of the
note of the enemy powers that pretend
to throw upon the allies tn" responsible
ity for the war and proclaim the victory
II the central powers.
AFFIRMATION "DOCBLY INEXACT."
The allied government cannot admit
an affirmation doubly inexact and which
suffioes to render sterile all tentative ne
gotiations The allied nations have sus-
tanned for thirty months a war they did
everything to avoid They have shown
by their acts their attachment to peace.
That attachment is as strong to-day AS
it was in 1914 But it is not upon the
word Of Germany. after the violation of
its engagements, that the peace broken
by her may 10 based
"A mere suggestion without a STATE
ment of terms that negotiations should
he opened, is not an Offer of peace TIN
putting forward by the imperial GOV
crnment Of sham proposal. lacking all
substance and precision. would appoal
to II" less an offer of peace than wal
manoeuVro. 1t is founded on calcutta
ed Instrumentation Of the charact"r
of III" struggle in the past, TN" present
and the future
AS for the rast thc Gefmf'r note
takes no account of the facts, dates and
figures which establish that tn" wa
was DESIRED provoked and declared by
Germany ana Austria-llungary.
DID NOT TRY TO AVERT WAR
AT the Hague conference Il WAS .
German dc!"gnt" who refused al pro-
posa!s for disarmam"nt. In july, lHl'
il was -HuuuDrN who, after nav
ing addressed to Serbia an unpreccdcnt
( ed ultimaturn, declared war upon rr1
in spite OF tn" satisf1ctiou which ha'
| at once beer accorded
The central empires thcn rci'ct",
All attempts made hY tn" entente IL
! bring about u pacific solution of a pIr"
! Is local conflict. Great Britain auS
! gcsted conference, France propose
an international commission; tn' I'm
I