THE PEACE OVERTURES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 4006, 12 August 1915, Page 5

THE PEACE OVERTURES.

STALE CERMAN TRICK. COMMENTS FROM ENGLAND AND ABROAD. ALLIES WANT NO TALK OF PEACE YET. GREAT TASK STILL UNACCOMPLISHED. (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) (Received Aug. .11, 7.20 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. 31. Apparently Germany thinks that with the fall of Warsaw and the freedom of her own territory from enemy troops, the time is opportune for peace feelers in order to make neutral countries think that the Allies are responsible for the continuance of the war. “The Times’ ” correspondent in Holland telegraphs extracts from tile “Niewe Rotterdamsclie Courant,” a pro-Gennau Dutch journal, suggesting that the time for peace negotiations lias arrived. The article is obviously of German: origin, because it attributes I the war to Sir Edward Grey, who, it says, thrust aside. Germany’s friendly hand. The article says there is no prospect of decisive results west or east and it thinks Britain, whose army and fleet are unbeaten, will ultimately listen to the voice of reason. It adds that there is not a, single reason why the war .should bo unduly prolonged as Britain’s chance of exhausting the enemy is small. The correspondent says the article has attracted much attention in Holland, aiub is causing amusement in quarters acquainted with German press methods. “The Times” denounces peace “feelers” as a stale German trick, foreseen and foretold whenever thev entered Warsaw. America and other neutral countries know too well what’s at stake to mistake the Allies’ attitude. Peace counsels tendered to the Allies from any quarter will certainly meet with a most decided rebuff. The “New York World,’’ commenting on the pence overtures, says:' “Who would trust the Kaiser since the invasion of Belgium ? Germany is bankrupt in international faith and morals, and must remain bankrupt for years. Tho ‘scrap-of-pnper’ episode cannot be lived down, in one generation 1 ’’

THE SEA WOLVES. NORWEGIAN .STEAMER SUNK. (Received Aug. 11, 8.5 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, Aug. 11. A Norwegian steamer was sunk today. The crew were rescued after 9' hours in the boats. AUSTRALIA’S WOUNDED. RETURN OF THE BALLARAT. (Received Aug. 11, 8.5 p.m.) SYDNEY, Aug. 11. Big crowds and tooting and beflagged steamers welcomed the Ballarat’s contingent of sick and wounded. A returned lieutenant says that those who have seen active service at the front are, in a sense, changed men. There have been scenes which have left their mark and only the very smallest percentage of those who come back want to drink to excess. He hoped the public would not-, in a sense of generosity and goodfellowship, ply them with drink, as the great- majority did not want it. AUSTRALIA HAY FUNDS. N.S. WALKS’ MAGNIFICENT TOTAL. (Received Aug. 11, 3.5 p.m.) SYDNEY, Aug. 11. The New South Wales Australia Day fund has passed the half-million. GOING ON SPLENDIDLY. THE TRENTHAM CAMP. .STATEMENT BY MR ALLENBy Telegraph—Special Correspondent. WELLINGTON. Aug. 10. •"The Trent-ham camp is going on splendidly,” said the Hon J. Allen this evening on returning from a brief visit to the camp. “When the improvements that are now proceeding are completed, it will be a model camp and I do not believei there will be a better one in the world.” In a reference to tho protests received from Auckland in regard to the decision to send the Eighth Reinforcements into camp at 1 rent-ham, Mr Allen remarked : “I have invited Mr Gunson and the ladies of Auckland to come down and inspect- the camp. I cannot do any more.” Mr Allen has not yet revoived the interim report on the sueject of the camp from tho Royal Commission which, as ho indicated two or three da vs ago, he is expecting to i econo.

THE WHEAT SITUATION.

AX IMPROVED OUTLOOK. (Press Association Toletrraw.-. WELLINGTON, Aug- 11 • In the past few days there has been an appreciable drop in wheat and flour and there are likely to be further reduct ions in the opinion of those nhle to gauge the prospects. Ihe Prime Minister recently had a census taken of all the wheat in the country. It was gathered from merchants, nude's, and farmers, and the result of O * showed that there was .suHi' i"iu in New Zealand to last until the next, harvest. Tlio new season’s harvest 's generally available in the nudd c m February, but it is necessary tluu. there should he a “carry-over suppDThis wheat, census is the first one taken in .New Zealand tor a very long lime. Altogether, the out loo* is by no means had, considering urit crop’s in America and olsew.ticiv * 1 ‘ been good.