The sun., 1918-09-21
PLAN COMEDIES
WITH REIGNfNG
IDEA AINGERMANY
Eager to Join in Secret Dis
cussiOns to End Hos
tilitieS.
OFFER REMAINS OPEN
Vienna Foreign Office Hopes
for Acceptance by En-
tente Nations.

LONDON. Sept. 2c.-An official COM
munication issued in Berlin says the
German Ambassador in Vienna pre-
sented Germany's reply to-day to the
recent Austro- Hungarian peace note.
The German note announces the readi-
ness of Germany to participate in the
proposed exchange Of ideas. The state
ment follows:
The undersigned Imperial Ambas.
sador has the honor to make the fol-
lowing reply to the highly esteemed
note Of the royal and imperial For
eign Minister.
The summons OF the Austro- Hunga-
rian Government to eleven belliger-
ent states to enter into confidential
unbnding discussion in neutral
country Of the fundamental princi-
pies for the conclusion of peace cor
responds to the spirit OF peace read
mess and conciliatoriness which the
responsible statesmen of the quad
ruple alliance and the authorized rep
resentatives of the allies (Teutonic)
peoples have again and again an
nounced. The reception which pre-
vious similar steps met with from our
enemies was not encouraging.
follows the new attempt to bring the
world nearer to the just and lasting
peace which it desires with the sin
cere and earnest wish that the state
ment OF the Austro- Hungarian Gov
ernment, inspired by profound con-
ciliatory feeling and noble humanity,
with this time evoke the desired echo.
In the name OF the Imperial Gov
ernment the undersigned has the
honor to declare that Germany is
ready to participate in the proposed
exchange of ideas.
The American reply TO the Austro-
Hungarian proposal for an unbindina
and secret conference OF the belligerents
was communicated to the Austro-Hun-
garian Foreign office yesterday by the
Swedish Minister, according to tele'
vienna Keeps OHer Open.
Despite the rejection of the Austro-
Hunga rian proposal that Governments
offer is still open. says an official state.
ment received from Vienna to-day. The
statement reads
From reports received from abroad
the rejection of the Austro-Hungarian
Governments suggestion that pre-
lIminary discussion OF the peace aues-
ton be entered into can hardly be
longer doubted.
The official reply to Foreign Minister
Burian's note has not yet been re-
ceIved. and therefore the reason which
prompted the attitude OF the Govern
ments OF tho Entente cannot be dis
cussed at present. Only from Secre-
tary Balfour Is an exhaustive discus
sion of our suggestion available. His
arguments show how correctly Baron
Burian's proposal judged the situation,
and that only the adoption OF Baron
Burian's line Of thinking could master
the confusion OF minds prevailing
everywhere until to-day.
Calls BaIfour's Views Rash.
The peace question az discussed by
Secretary Balfour-and the same ap-
plies to the debates in the French and
American Senates-under the pressure
OF big catchwords and overmastering
passion, can naturally make no favor
able progress. Especially regarding
Mr. Balfour's speech it must be
pointed out that 1t contains a series of
rash conclusions concerning the atti-
tude OF the Central Powers toward
concrete peace questions which he
would not have arrived at had he en-
tered into a discussion in the spirit Of
Baron Burian's proposal.
Only IL discussed under conditions
free from the influences Of passion can
the peace question make that progress
which Is in the interest of humanity.
The Austro-HungarianG Governments
offer is still open.