The sun., 1918-09-08
BERLIN STARTS
PEACE DRIVE IN
DUTCHPAPERS
Central Powers Try to Have
Negotiations Begun Be-
fore Christmas.
NEUTRAL AID SOLICITED
Complete Set of New Terms
Proposed, Including Revi-
sion of Brest Treaty.
NEUTRAL AID SOLICITED
Special Cable Despatch to THE SUN.
CoDurioht. 1918; al rights reserred.

COptrfQht, 1913, u'3 vtp"fe 'eop'eu'
LONDON, Sept. 7.--Evidence of an
elaborate German intrigue to weaken
TIE determination Of the Entente to
smash Prussian militarsm is unmis-
taxable, especially in Holland, where
number Of Dutch newspapers with
pro- German lcanings discuss seriously
the question Of whether peace Is in
sight. Obviously the new peace Of
fensive is emanating from Germany.
II is significant that one OF the
reasons given by the Germans to eN-
plain the new feeler is fear that Ger
man territory would be exposed to the
,avages of war" AS France and Bel
gIum have been devastated by the
Germans. it is certain the territories
for whose welfare Germany now
shows such sdicitude are situated in
Germany. Hence this proposal when
the Kaiser's armies are going back
fast toward their own frontiers.
Central Powers Attitude.
According to the Dutch newspapers re-
trail Powers to await the cessation of the
Allies present offensive, or possibly a
small German success on the western
front. before making another dehnite
peace Offer. Both Germany and Austria
apnear 20 have reached the conclusion
that peace before Christmas is the only
way out of the present difficulties; that
they are ready to make all necessary
concessions to that end.
Their terms would be the uncond.-
t!onal evacuation OF Belgium. to which
damages would be paid by an irterna-
tional fund; evacuation os the occupied
provinces in exchange for captured Ger
man colonies; settlement of the Alsace-
Lorraine question in a way satisfactory
to Frances wishes and pride, possibly
! by the exchange of Alsace and Lorraine
| for a French colony, and complete rev.
| sion of the Brest -Litovsk treaty.
This German-Austrian peace oner
! would not take the form OF former o.
| fers, but would rather be negotiated by
! neutral Intermediates OF high rank. who
! would be asked by Germany to repre-
| sent TO the allied Governpents what ter
, rifle losses for civilization another year
! Of war would entail. whereas the Allies
would lose nothing by entering into a
conversation with the Central Powers
the war continuing in the meanwhile.
To influence Opinion Abroad.
| The recent German advertisement oi
Internal industrial trouble is also di
rectly intended to influence public opin
ion abroad. All reliable Information
regarding German ,onditions and all mrs
hand accounts o. local strikes suppor
that theory. The existence or pro
nounced revolutionary movements II
Germany is inaccurate and misleading
There is, however, serious politlca
trouble brewing in Germany over th'
defiance of the Junkers OF the Kaiser
Government in persls;ently blocking th'
carving out of the promise or rerorl
IN the Prussian franchise.
Count Won Hertling's declaration OF
this question is n matter Of the protec
ton OF the crown and rs she sensation
| OF the hour in Germany. The action o
the Junkers in so amending this measure
! of reform until II now is one of the pures
reaction has aroused not only In Prus
sia but In all Germany great ange
and dissatisfaction.
The Frankfurter Zeitun0 voices popu
lar sentiment when it says that feel
ing among the majority parties OF tn
Reichstag is becoming even more bitter
Not only In the Socialist ranks has dis
content with Hertling's fruitless leader
ship increased. but, however painful
is TO say so, It is true that the Chan
celIor has lost all the trust of demo
cratic parties and has disappointed al
hopes"
''Where are the fruits of his tel
months of officer" asks the ZeitunG
1t replies: There are none. Now !
his chance to redeem his career as Chan
cellor. VIII he utilize 1t and stand u
sternly against the pan-Germans?