During the week we have beard much about German over-
tures to Belgium to conclude a separate peace. Thursday's Times, in a telegram from Rome, states that the- Ossereatore, the organ of the Vatican, denies that the . Pope has con- veyed any proposals for a separate peace to Belgium, but adds that it is nevertheless a fact that Germany has offered a separate peace. According to a Reuter telegram, the chief conditions were (1) the restoration of the country ; (2). the return of King Albert ; (3) the payment of a large indenmity for the damage caused by the invasion and occupation.- In exchange, Germany asked for economic and commercial privileghs which,' it is stated, would practically have transformed Antwerp and other Belgian ports into German traffic centres. It is further stated, which we can well believe, that King Albert and his Government at once -rejected the bribe thus offered them to desert their allies.
