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Newspaper
Ashburton Guardian
Location
Ashburton, Canterbury, New Zealand
Date
Dec 13, 1916
Page
5
Germany presents an as you were stance and calls for restoration of colonies in its peace terms. The proposal signals a cautious shift toward negotiation while outlining territorial aims. Allies have not yet responded publicly to the plan.
Berlin notes reveal Germany offering to yield conquered territories and seek peace talks with Switzerland the United States and Spain. The Kaiser flags readiness for both continued fight and negotiation while warning of continued war unless opponents halt conquest and slaughter.
An official wireless message reports Dr. Hollweg telling the Reichstag that Germany and its allies seek peace negotiations with the hostile powers. He noted Allied notes and calls for neutral transmission, while describing German and Austro-Hungarian resilience amid Roumanian, Somme, and Italian pressures.
Berlin dispatches report the Weichstag galleries crowded as Dr. Hollweg cites peace offers while Roumania enters the war to improve the Eastern front. The Somme offensive aimed at piercing the West front fails as Hindenburg maintains pressure. Food and oil stocks are built at home and German submarines achieve notable feats as Germany asserts strength.
A fragment describes a besieged fortress adjacent to a large, well-organized camp with substantial resources. The text hints at strategic positions and defensive preparations surrounding the siege.
Washington and financial centers react to Dr. Hollweg's peace overture as Germany seeks to end the war. U S officials, Lloyd George supporters, and Entente circles weigh the chance of concessions, while American financiers doubt Allied acceptance and foresee a possible German separate peace effort.
Diplomatic reports from Paris indicate General Joffre may retire and a major war reorganization is under discussion. Generals Petain and Nevelle are named as potential successors with Nevelle favored for the top command if Petain gains expanded powers.
A French communiqué says German assault at Bois de Loges north of Lagny was repelled by our barrage. Enemy detachments that briefly occupied forward trenches were driven out with grenades and our line fully re-established.
London reports indicate a claim that a German army or submarine officer will be shot if Blaikes is executed. Newspapers demand decisive government action before it is too late. Reports from America show interest in the issue and anticipate a firm response from Sir Edward Corson.
Admiral Capelle told Kiel officers he would intensify submarine operations to crush British sea power and could destroy the world mercantile marine before 1917, defying President Wilson and other neutrals.
Dutch Socialists unanimously passed a resolution condemning Belgian deportations and urged protest at Tuesday Reichstag meeting. New York papers publish the Holland Neutral League’s appeal to Americans to stop the deportations through collective neutral action.
Report from Amsterdam dated December 12 says a riot broke out at Furesing over civilian deportations. German soldiers were attacked by civilians, cavalry charged the crowd and 16 townspeople were killed.
Paris correspondent reports General Joffre will retire as Commander in Chief but become President of the Military Council of the Allies, retaining his CIC title.
Piraeus reports King Constantine and the army seek a timely move as Entente war fears rise. Allied subjects flee Athens for requisitioned boats at Piraeus and Ekaterina. About four thousand Venizelists seek refuge at Piraeus as arrests continue. Government offers reparations and dismissals but opposes Allied control or disarmament and hastily moves wheat from Piraeus to Athens.
Berlin correspondent reports Germany's food plan ruined by a near total potato crop failure. Harvest 21 million tons versus 130 million in 1915, leading to reduced potato flour rations as border orders tighten.
Amsterdam reports Bernhardt in Vossische Zeitung says Germany seeks to forbid Belgium from maintaining an independent army and diplomatic representatives as part of its terms in the West.
Italy announces meatless days on Thursdays and Fridays each week. Official notice from Rome dated December 2 requests households and institutions to refrain from meat for those two days.
December 13 The Court of Enquiry finds multiple changes to prior reports including deaths of Private J E Benson Lance Corporal C S Nicholson Lance Corporal A Morgan Private G Anderson Private J J O Boyle Private A K Mocinley Private H Durie Lance Corporal L Pennington and others. Several soldiers are noted as killed or died of wounds or sickness with additional entries on wounded and missing statuses. A Maori Contingent member Private Tawhai Hohepa Tuapaki is listed as died of sickness with hospital admission details.
A German Embassy official to United Press outlines terms to restore prewar borders with new kingdoms in Poland and Lithuania. Balkans boundary tweaks could partially restore Serbia and Romania, plus return of lost colonies. Winter ceasefire cited. aim to show Germany not seeking territorial conquest while Allies consider peace talks.
King Constantine issues a December 12 order calling a general mobilisation in Rome. The dispatch, received December 13, 1.25 p.m., notes the royal directive.
French dispatch says five small Bulgarian out posts were captured south of the river Hojumnyeca on the right bank of the Vardar. Across that front, fighting continues with snow hindering operations and artillery duels intensifying north of Afonas.
In Britain the House of Commons met crowded with Liberals and ex-Cabinet members on the opposition bench as the Trish Party resolved to await the Government’s policy declaration. The party urged vigorous war policy, Flame Rule, abolition of martial law in Ireland, and universal conscription opposition. Mr Bonar Law moved adjournment to December 12 for Lloyd George to seek a vote of credit. Mr McKenna urged delaying policy statement to allow Asquith’s presence.
Official bulletin: Mr Lloyd George is better but ordered to stay indoors for a couple of days following illness received December 13 at 11.25 a.m. The status update notes improvement and continued confinement.
The Kaiser sends a message to generals and soldiers stating that in peace talks with allies he remains confident and vows to continue fighting until a possible enemy peace offer is accepted. The document emphasizes commitment to victory and continued hostilities.
Central News Agency notes that German announcements in the Reichstag were spread through covert channels worldwide and show textual similarity, suggesting the German government was intentionally promoting the session for undisclosed observers.
Petrograd telegram reports Austro German forces active in Wallachia preparing lines of defence fortifying positions and constructing bridges across the Danube Giragevo Kanus and Everin while employing the population above age four. Romanian retreat continues with minimal losses.
A Russian communique says enemy assaults southeast of Kegel in the wooded Carpathians and in Moldavia were repulsed. Captured some heights. Germany failed to press attacks at Cislauw and Migelin, 80 miles northeast and 25 east of Ploesti respectively.
Reuter reports that the Old Bailey record of crime has been further reduced. The note adds that bigamy has increased as soldiers separated from their wives form alliances to secure separation allowances.
London reports casualties from the November 27 air raid: one man and three women killed, and 16 men, 14 women, and seven children injured.
The Governor-General in Sydney bade farewell to the first contingent from the Naval College cadets destined for Hogland. They will join the British fleet to defend merchant ships amid rising tension in the area.
The report lists soldiers and ranks including Rhindell EB M Private Game F and Hobbs Private, with many marked dangerously ill or seriously ill. Several names show improving or progressing status, including Denniston Dok Rifleman and Denvars R progressing satisfactorily, reflecting fluctuating battlefield conditions and care.
The Daily Chronicle Paris correspondent notes renewed cannonade on the British front as snow falls again. The Ancre artillery duel is the fiercest since the Somme began with British gunners north of the Ancre scoring a marked success over German heavy guns. The artillery fights extend to Lons Givenchy Armen tières Ypres and the Belgian front.
London reports say M. Briand and allies plan a compact French War Cabinet modeled on Lloyd George's, with strong departmental heads under War Cabinet control. Changes may dissolve several ministries including Commerce Public Works Transport and Post Office, trimming government size to about 22 members.
Paris reports that December formalities mark M. Briand naming business leaders to cabinet posts as part of a broader government reshuffle. The move signals stronger ties between politics and industry and aims to bolster economic policy amidst postwar reconstruction.
Paris December 2 Reuters telegram reports a stormy debate in the Chamber of Deputies over war credits. Socialist M Brizon protested prolongation of the war, battled opposition, and hurled a water bottle at a rival, leading to suspension and Brizon's ejection.
Paris reports from December 12 claim the German losses on the Somme are authoritatively estimated at 760000. The figure reflects Austro and New Zealand Cable Association and Reuters sourcing.
Petrograd dispatch reports the Duma nearly unanimously approving formation of a government acceptable to Parliament. The move is seen as creating a new era in constitutional development and aligning with the nation’s desire to marshal its full energy.
In Bucharest Petrograd claims German forces detach from Albania as Bulgarians dispatch fresh brigades. Romanian oil wells at Ploieşti are wrecked so completely it will take at least a year to restore production.
London dispatch from The Times correspondent Balkans indicates Germany is imposing crushing levies on towns that have fallen under occupation. The report notes widespread economic pressure and potential resistance implications.
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