The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-09-16
PEACE TRAP is
BAITED BIZ AUSTRIA
Continued from page IT,

(COnunued from page IL
! ltgerent, an early peace Is impera-
tive. Such a conference would not
compromise the allies fundamental
| principles. On the other hand, there
! is more than a remote prospect that
discussion that might leave Ger
many obdurate might be different in
| the case of Turkey, Bulgaria and
Austria. The allies have everything
| to gain and nothing to lose by dis
cussion."
! Telegraph: "The proposal is alb
surd and insincere. Its object is to
gain time for Hindenburg to reorgan-
| ize his shattered forces, though, per-
haps, Vienna and Constantinople so
! ardently desire peace that they are
prepared to relinquish their bellicose
attitude. But it is not clear yet
whether Berlin wants to come to
| terms"
| Mirror: Stand by our public dec
larations Of war aims, being in no
mood to enter secret diplomacy with
Prussia, or any others"
| Mail: "The proposal is an impu-
dent sham. Wilson, in advance, dis
posed of the proposal when on Janu'
airy s he SAID None but open cove
nants of peace, openly arrived at "
Graphic: THE proposal is war
maneuver. If Germany Is prepared
to surrender Internationally, peace
is possible at once"
| Post: 1--WE are dealing with the
! first definite peace overture from
Germany, which in substance is a
proposal to conclude an armistice.
| There can be but one answer: To
| pause now would be to throw away
the fruits Of four years; to dismiss
! forever the hope Of victory; to be-
tray the common cause of ciyiliza-
! ton"
Regarding Germany's note to Bel
gium the Post said:
1T is an impudent, shameless pro-
posal which vas put forward, not to
benefit Belgium or satisfy the allies,
but to provide propaganda for the
defeatists."
Cannot Divide Allies.
LONDON, Sept. 16.-Foreign Secre-
tary Balfour, speaking at the Hotel
Savoy today, declared his belief that
the Austrian proposal cannot pro-
duce peace, nor divide the allies.
There is something cynical in the
Austrian proposal coming within a
few hours after the speech of Vice
Chancellor Won Payer" Balfour said.
III cannot believe it is the enemy's
desire to arrive at an understanding
which we can possibly accept. 1t is
an attempt to weaken the forces
which are proving too strong for them
in the field l am sure that cannot
produce peace, and am just as sure
it cannot divide the allies
srUyhor tho Gorrnane FRY f0 dress
themselves in President Wilson's
clothes or try to play part they
! think Wilson wants them to play,
they are clumsy actors"
Balfour agreed with the Austrian
notes assertion that the whole OF
civilization is at stake and that pro
llongation of hostilities is risking the
,sacrifice of a great deal that is deal
to everybody interested.
He asserted that certain fundamen
tai questions must be settled before
discussions can take place.
Until then" he said, what is the
use of irresponsible TALK"
Until Germany is prepared to view
the problems confronting us all In
very different spirit than that ami
mating her statesmen, conversations
are useless" said Balfour, although
II am. forced to conclude that Austria
made the proposal, not because she
iexpected it would or could be accept
ed, but for the purpose Of dividing
the allies and aggravating supposed
allied internal differences
Balfour analysed VonPayer's
speech at length, comparing the lat
tiers statements regarding Belgium.
lAlsace-Lorraine, German colonies and
the eastern questions with the allied
aims. in view of the Austrian pro
Iposal showing how futile conversa-
lions are.
4 Il cannot honestly see in the Aus
ltrian proposal the slightest hope that
the goal of peace is really attainable,'
THE secretary declared. "It seems al
most incredible that anything good
can come from the Austrian proposal.
Until those ruling the destinies of
Germany-whether the general staff
the emperor the chancellor, or the
lreichstag-are prepared at least to
show an open mind, mere converse
tons are useless
Delivered Through Sweden.
I LONDON, Sept. 16.-The Swedish
minister has received the Austrian
peace note and will deliver it to the
British foreign Office today.
No Hasty Response.
'iTBy Ed. L. Keen, United Press Staff
Correspondent
LONDON, Sept. 16.-There will be
no hasty response to the Austrian
peace proposals.
According to the best available In
formation, the reply will come only
after the most intimate exchange of
opinions between the entente and
American governments.
Meanwhile all official opinion Will
be withheld, pending this decision
which diplomats declare will be the
:. most delicate" question of policy
since the declaration of war.
Unofficial opinion is divided, "stal-
warts" believing the proposal merely
a super-peace offensive, acceptance of
which would be to trap the allies into
compromise terms. On the other