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Show Ana oruNiaji rUKK FKESS, LNTRAL powers offers peace entente allies to in note ISSUED FROM BERLIN. lUnlted State, Spain and Switzerland Aiked to Transmit the Proposal to the Entente Powers and Vatican Asked to Help Make Peace. Berlin. Germany offered peace to allies on Tuesday, December 12. chancellor, I)r. von The imperial ,j,e speaking for the Sethmann-Hollwe- empire and its allies, Austria-HungarBulgaria and Turkey, announced In the reichstag that he had given to the diplomatic representatives of Spain, the United States and Switzerland a joint note addressed to Germany's enemies, proposing to them to enter Into peace negotiations. The chancellor did not announce the terms upon which Germany and her allies will make peace. Nor are they contained In the note he handed to the three neutral diplomatists for transThe mission to the entente powers. only reference he made to them was that they had the object of "guarantee-mthe existence, honor and liberty of evolution" for the nations extending the offer, and are, according to their Jrm belief, an appropriate basis for the establishment of lasting peace. This reference is contained in the note addressed to the allies. The representatives of Spain, the United States and Switzerland were selected for its transmission because these German y, countries represented the entente in Germany and the coutries ts her allies. Simultaneously with the Issuance of the note to the allies Germany sent a communication to Pope Benedict, through the German minister to the Vatican, Dr. Otto von Muehlbach, notifying the pontiff of Germanys peace move, eulogizing the holy father for his efforts in behalf of peace during the last two years, and expressing the of that Germanys initiative a friendly welcome on the part of his holiness, and that the work of peace can count upon the precious support of the holy sea. of the Practically all members confidence will find reichstag answered the summons to the capital. A crowded house thronged the galleries and listened In respectful silence when the chancellor arose to begin his speech. . First, he outlined the extraordinary political situation, and then, touching upon the achievements of the central powers, made the announcement which possibly may act as the turning point in the war which for more than two years has held the world under Its spell. Text of Note. Following is the text of the note addressed by Germany and her allies to the hostile governments: The most terrific war ever experienced in history has been raging for the last two years and a half over a large part of the world a catastrophe which thousands of years of common civilization was unable to prevent, and which Injures the most precious achievements of humanity. Our aims are not to shatter nor annihilate our adversaries. In spite of our consciousness of our military and economic strength and our readiness to continue the war (which has been forced upon us) until the bitter end, if necessary; at the same time, prompted by the desire to avoid further bloodshed and make an end to the atrocities of war, the four allied powers propose to enter forthwith into peace negotiations. The propositions which they bring forward for such negotiations and which have for their object a guarantee of the existence, of the honor and liberty of evolution for their nations are, according to their firm belief, an appropriate basis for the establishment of a lasting peace. The four allied powers have been obliged to take up arms tea defend justice and the liberty of national evolution. The glorious deeds of our armies have in no way altered their purpose. 'Ve always maintained the firm belief that our own rights and justified claims in no way control the rights of these nations. "The spiritual and material progress which was the pride of Europe at the beginning of the twentieth century is threatened with ruin. Germany and ber allies, Austria Hungary, Bulgaria e and Turkey, gave proof of their strength in this struggle. They gained gigantic advantages over ulvemries superior in number and war material. Our lines stand ununcon-luerabl- shaken against made by armies. ever-repeate- attempts The last attack In the Dalkans has rapidly and victoriously over-ome- . The most recent events have 'lemonstruted that further continuance of the war will not result in breaking the resistance of our forces, and the been whole situation, with regard to onr troops, Justifies $ur expectation of further successes. If in spite of this offer of peace and reconciliation the struggle should Ko on, the four allied powers are resolved to continue to a victorious end, but they disclaim responsibility for this before humanity and history. TIi Imperial government, through the good offices of your excellency, ask the government of (here is Inserted the name of the neutral power addressed In each Instance) to bring this communication to the knowledge of the government of (here are inserted the names of the belligerents). Probable Peace Terme. Probable peace terms to be proposed by Germany are: A restoration of the status quo existing berore the war. This includes the evacuation of Belgium and the restoration of the occupied portions of northern France with the exception of Alsace and Lorraine. It is understood that the German Idea is to make provision for the future neutrality of Belgium and probably propose particularly of the city of Antwerp. All Germanys lost colonies she expects to be returned. Her possessions In the Pacific, however, are not a suli-Jeof great concern, and the Berlin government is understood to be ready to relinquish t he claim of Klquchau. The security of Turkey In possession of Constantinople and the restoration of Albania. The establishment of independent kingdoms in Lithuania and Poland. Domination of Mesopotamia by Germany and Austria, to give them a path to the Persian gulf and break Englands gateway to India and Egypt. To award to Bulgaria nil of Serbia as far south as Nish, which would take from Serbia as much territory as she gained in the Balkan wars. Bulgaria probably will expect to get Macedonia and Dobrudja, which formerly belonged to her, making the Danube the boundary between Bulgaria and Rumania and shutting the latter from the Black sea. During the course of his speech before the reichstag, Chancellor von Bethmann-Hollwesaid: "The empire is not a besieged fortress, as our adversaries imagined, but one glgantio and firmly disciplined resources. camp with Inexhaustible That is the German empire, which is firmly and finally united with its brothers in arms, who have been tested in battle under the Turkish and Bulgarian flags. Our enemies now ascribed to us a plan to conquer the whole world, and then desperate cries of anguish for peace. But not confused by these asseverations, we progressed with firm decision and we thus continue our progress, always ready to defend ourselves and fight for our nations existence, for its free future and always to stretch out our hand for peace. ct g Austro-Hungaria- SENTIMENT OPPOSES PEACE. Proposals Fail to Create Profound Impression Among Londoners. London. A strong current of public sentiment opposed to the German peaca proposal was evident in the expressions Tuesday night, both from the public men and the British press, although these were without any word from high authoritative sources indicating the attitude of the government It waff noticeable that the proposal had not created any profound impression among the average Londoners. There was little talk in the hotels or other public places. Government circles also held aloof from any discussion. The foreign office would make no comment, In the absence of the terms, but indicated that the British attitude, up to the present, was embodied in the declarations made from time to time by the former Premier and Viscount Grey, and that any new proposals would have to be considered by all the entente allies before a definite attitude waB possible. INTEREST SHOWN AT CAPITAL. Germany's Proposal Breaks Chains That Have Bound United States. Washington. Germanys proposal for peace Is regarded here as having broken the chains which for months have restrained the United States, as well as other neutrals, from making offers of mediation. Now tiiat one set of belligerents has to discuss signified Its willingness peace terms a condition often reiterated as necessary to any action by President Wilson there are Indications that when the United States, acting as the intermediary, transmits the German proposal, It may accompany its action by some steps to throw the influence of the United States into the balance for at least a consideraof the preliminary, tion, however terms on which a lasting peace might be brought to the world. Some ranking offlciulH of the American government believe a league of nations, such as President Wilson has suggested, must be the outcome, and it could not be perfected without the participation of the United States. More Money for Marlnee. Mayor Favors Salary Increase. Now York. Mayor Mltchel rebuked Washington. An Increase of $5 a month In the pay of every enlisted the board of aldermen here In vetoing to salary Increases of man in the navy was recommended by Its objection Secretary Daniels to the house naval certain city employees, amounting to committee. It would add $3,000,000 a $120, 520, In the city's budget for 1917, which totals $211,115,016. fear to tho pay roll French Capture Bulgarian Post. Proposes Government Ownership. Five small Bulgarian posts Paris. Lewis Washington. Representative of Maryland, author of the pared post on the right bank of the Vardar river Aw, Introduced a bill on December 12 on the Macedonian front have been Proposing government ownership of captured by the French. The operaimthe public telephone system in the nat- tions north of Monastlr are being snow. ional capital. peded by ICTORY may come nnd victory may go, but no future triumphs or defeats can ever soften for Europe the memory of this dark Chrlstmus of 1910, the saddest she has ever known. Pride In the present nnd faith In the future sustain everyone of the warring peoples In their exaltation of sacrifice. But at Christmas Christmas, the feast of the on home and of the dies, nnd only sorrow, the sorrow of the bereft Individual, remains, says the New York Sun. It is a very different Christinas Europe Is approaching this year front that of two years ago. Then the shoek and excitement of the beginning of the war were still tingling. In England the question of munitions Is today of no less Importance to the popular mind than, two years ago, was the absorbing question of getting a plum pudding to every man in the trenches. There was still talk of the kuiser's dining In Paris, and discussions us to which ruler should lend the triumphant allies In procession through Unter den Linden. Victory seemed a much simpler mntter then than It does today. Everyone admitted then that victory would be bought only with sorrow and sacrifice. Now everyone knows, with the hard knowledge of experience, that victory will be bought only with sorrow henped on sorrow and sacrifice heaped on sacrifice. It Is this knowledge borne In on every home, however exalted or however humble, that makes the Christmas celebration of 1910 In Europe a solemn sacrament of sorrow. Of all the warring peoples Christmas means the most to the Germans and on none will the sacrifice of the traditional customs of the day fall so heavily. There Is no blood nnd Iron In the German Christmas. There Is Instead a tender and appealing sentiment tfint Is typical of all that Is best In the German character. The whole world Is Indebted to Oermnny for the Christmas tree nnd for many of the most delightful of the Christmas stories nnd customs that Americans have adopted as their own. The Ger-nin- n Chrlstmns Is a dny for the home, the family nnd the children, with Its every custom endeared by generations of tradition.. The real German Chrlstmns celebration occurs on Chrlstmns eve. About four o'clock the dinner Is served, an elnbornte nnd henrty feast, consisting of a long series of traditional dishes, all enten In a state of wild excitement. During this meal the Krlstkind makes Its nppenrance. This figure Is a curious product of sentiment nnd Imagination. n queer combination of the Holy Child, the good fairy nnd our own Santa Claus. It Is repn resented In the country district by a child made up ns an nngel, who goes from door to door calling for the good children, giving sweetmeats at one house and begging them nt the next After dinner comes the grent moment when the doors are opened Into the Chrlstmns room where the lighted tree has the place of honor. The tree Is always placed nenr n window so that every can see nnd slinre It A walk through pnsser-bthe deserted residence streets of any German town at this hour on Chrlstmns eve leaves a memory of Christmas cheer and spirit that can never be forgotten. By nine oclock the family Is ready to cat ngnln, n light supper Including still more of the traditional Christmas dishes. Every one. rich or poor, luts Nuremberg ginger cake, Its shiny brown surface decorated with almonds and raisin, nnd Welhnaohton" nnd the yenr with the word worked out In pink nnd white frosting. Swollen, a sort of plum cake, nnd mnny sweet biscuits of various shnpes nnd sizes, nre all Indispensable parts of tills feast. But tlilk yenr, with a shortage of fats In her food supply so severe ns to demand serious attention on the pnrt of the government, there Is In Germany i.p butter or milk for the Christmas can-fliecakes, no tullow or wax for the Christmas little deprivahomely this To many people tion will bifng a realization of the severities of war more vivid nnd more compelling thnn even With graveyards. the sight of, the newith dire In the land, oew two million graves rienrest cessity robing her dearest holiday of Its Christsymbols, no triumphs of arms cun make this mas of 1910 anything but n sad nnd sorrowful feast In tho homes of the German empire. In Austria tho Chrlstmns celebrations arc ns tho races and religions that make up Turkd family-rexaltatl- half-grow- y s. fast-growin- n , tlmt great loosely knit empire. Where the Greek church prevails the celebration occurs a fortnight later than ours; that is, on January T. It Is accompanied by feasting and by various local customs. The Slovacs of Bohemia nnd Moravia have curious Christinas usnges In which superstition has entirely triumphed over religious significance. This Is the great dny of the year when the peasant appeases all the Invisible world of spirits. On the afternoon of Christmas eve the whole household marches In solemn procession to the stables and cow houses currying bread, salt and beans. These are offered to the animals with certain hnllowed words, and grent Is the dismay If any cow or chicken Is Indifferent to the offering. Returning to the house, the parents sprlnke all their unmarried daughters with .water sweetened with honey, thus Insuring them honest, husbands. The entire family then sip ot sllvovltza, a strong native liquor distilled from plums. A small quantity of this Is then poured on the floor to conciliate such other spirits as may have been overlooked. Everyone then falls on the Christmas feast without ceremony. But this year war has reached out to the remote districts and blighted even such simple Christmas celebrations as this. The men of the ' families are all gone. Only the very young and the very old remain. There will be no blessing of the klne this yenr. for there are no klne to All have long since gone to supply the Mess. army. There will he no Christmas feasting, for food was long ago reduced to the smallest quantity that will sustain life. And every day, In every village, the list of the widowed and orphaned grows longer and longer. d Vienna Is known ns a gny, city. Its Christmas observance Is ordinarily a hnppy combination of religious ceremony and Teutonic good cheer. But this year the brilliant midnight mnsses will he attended by blnck-robemourners and there will be no good cheer In Vienna. The Chrlstmns celebration In all the countries where the Greek orthodox ehurch prevnlls are much the same. As the holiday Itself is preceded by a severe fast the Chrlstmns feast takes on a highly Important character. In many parts of Russia, especially In the cities, the Christmas tree has been borrowed from the Germans. while a pudding of rice nnrl raisins Is the feature of the Chrlstmns eve fenst. From this feRst hns now been taken Its crowning glory, the vodka bottle. In only one other pnrt of Europe hns the heel of war pressed so hard ns In Russian Poland; In only one other place hns the land been so utterly devastated by fierce nnd continued fighting; in only one other place will the senson of peace nnd good will be such a bitter mockery as to the hunted nnd starving Poles. And this Is In Serbia, poor, brave, benten Serbia, with Its whole population, an entire people, fugitive before hnted nnd terribly feared Invaders. During three years Serbia has been swept by three wars, the present one so relentless and so overwhelming ns literally to wipe out the ordinary relationship of the people to life. They have censed to hnve homes; they have censed to possess property; they must burrow In the earth for shelter and forage for their uncertain food like With her nrmy ninklng a heroic wild animals. nnd desperate struggle, with her people dying with their spirit yet unbroken, the birthday of the Prince of Pence will not be celebrated this yenr In Serbia. The sorrows of Belgium this year as compared with last are more of the spirit thnn of the flesh. The voice of Christmas, of peace and good will does not speak vesy loud to a captive people. With Its nrmy terribly decimated, Its beloved king all but driven nut of bis own country, with Its dally life subject to the. scrutiny nnd the control of a stern captor, there Is no room In Belgium Christmas spirit for any of the old that used to show Itself In crowded churches for supper parties. midnight musses and guy Belgium watts ns all Europe waits for the end of the war waits with fulth nnd hope nnd a determination ns grim ns It must be slleut. Happily the physical condition of the stricken people Is better tlmn last year. There Is not the frightful confusion, the separation of families, the pitiful terror nnd want that went with the All relief measures flight before the Invader. are organized. Belgium Is no happier his year than last, but site is less cold nnd hungry. If tho Belgian people ever ugaln have a united Chrlstmus they will And themselves with luuuy uew good-temper- light-hearte- d gift-hun- light-hearte- d all-nig- g holiday Ideas. A tree twinkled In every plnce that housed a German lust yenr, nnd though the Belgians will not ullow their Chrlstmns to be Germanized, yet the trees appealed to them mightily. Certainly the Christmas tree will be much more com mon henceforth in Belgium whether the Germans stay there or not. Thousands of refugees waiting In England until their country Is redeemed will bring back with them many Ideas of the English holiday. Until the marriage of Queen Victoria to the a prince consort, Christmas in England was chiefly of and mighty of of merrymnklng churchgoing, duy feasting. The prince brought with him from his German home the customs of the Chrlstmns tree and of gift giving. The latter hns never become as firmly Intrenched In England ns It Is here, but a lighted tree loaded with decorations and present Is established as a part of every English celebration. Christmas decorations of holly and mistletoe, the ceremony of the Yule log and many of the traditional Christinas dishes, notably the plum pudding, are all owed to English custom. But It Is a sadder and wiser England tlint approaches Christmas this yenr. Hundreds of thousands of young Englishmen have died to make her so. Today every Londoner has hnd a graphic lesson In what a powerful and resourceful enemy can do even in a right little, tight little Islund." As a further object lesson, England will pay for the raisins for her plum puddings something like 200 per cent more thnn she did last year. The war with Turkey hns done that to her. England has had other Mack Christmases, bnt they were farther away from borne. The Christmas of 1899 In South Africa was one that she does not like to recall, while the terrible Christmas of 1854, the Christmas of the Crimean war, when, as a writer of the day put It, Thanks to General Muddle, things are about as bad as they can be," was always a bitter memory to that generation. The year 1910 has not been a good year for England, and she knows It The knowledge hns shattered her complacency and has strengthened her determination. But site Is not hnppy about It and her Christmas celebration will be a chastened feast. Christmas In the Latin countries has always been more of a religious festival than a home celebration. In Italy It Is more customary to exchange presents at New Years. than at Christmas. Lighted trees are frequently seen, but they are the luxury of the prosperous and not the habit of the people. The flay before Christmas Is more of an occasion thun the day itself. In the cities of southern Italy booths are erected In certain streets, as before Easter, for the sale of odds and ends and sweetmeats; wheeled traffic Is barred and the people promenade alowly up and down, exchanging greetings. Midnight mass Is enld In all the churches. In the churches, too, are exposed the famous cribs, or presepl, representing scenes ot the birth and Infancy of Jesus. The beginning of this custom Is ascribed to SL Francis of Assisi. Christmas evq Is the great feast of the senson In France. provinces It Is celebrated with processions In the streets, which were originally religious In character, but which have become pro faned by the gayety of the maskers. In Normandy and in I'rovence there are elaborate puppet allows of scenes In the life of the Infant Christ. All the street gnyety terminates after mass In feusts In all the homes. , , In Iarls there are Christians booths set up In many of the boulevards. This year they will be devoted to the sale of comforts for the soldiers. Iaris knows better thnn anyone Just how Mack a wartime Christmas can be. She hns never forgotten the Chrlstmus of 1870. For ninety-eigh- t days the Germans hnd haltered at the city. Every sortie hud failed miserably. The flnul bombardment was Inevitable. On Christmas eve 900 men froze to death In the trenches just outside the city. Better, It seems, thun any of the other nutions did France realize from the beginning whnt this present wur would mean nnd, realizing, she conse-crate- d herself utterly. She has made every sacrifice, great and small, even to giving up the crusty rolls and light white bread thut are ns the breath In her nostrils. When a Frenchman, every Frenchman, eats without complulnt a grayish bread mode of a mixture of wheat and rice and entirely lucking In golden crust, he hus Indeed an exulted spirit. It Is a small thing, perhaps, but It is enormously significant. Lust Christmas was a solemn festlvul In France. A million gifts, gifts of wool, were sent to the men In the trenches. Every soldier lmd a glass of champagne. But there wus no merrymaking. Masses were said at open-ai- r altars erected hack of the battle lines. In the old church at Thuun lu Alsace a French Christmas was celebrated for the first time In forty-fou- r years. But It was a celebration of prayer, not of rejoicing. This year, at least, midnight masses will ho snla In the churches of Iaris, hut afterward there will ho no gayety In the streets as In former years, no (lancing plerrots and harlequins leading the mask era, no brilliant round of restaurant suppers, the beloved revelllon of the Iurlslun. So 1nrls on Christmas eve will go home throngn darkened streets with a prayer In her heart for all those who have died for France and for all thus who must yet v In-th- |