20 JANUARY 1917, Page 2

In reply to the Allies' Note declining her proposal to

talk about peace, Germany issued to the neutrals onJanuary llth &rhetorical Note repudiating all responsibility for the continuation of the war. The Note accused the Allies of a series of breaches of international law, notably of ill-treating prisoners and deporting civilians from. East Prussia and Alsace. It charged them with insincerity in upholding the cause of small nations, considering " the fate " of Ireland, the destruction of the Boer Republics, and the subjection of North Africa. It defended the invasion of Belgium on the ground that Germany asked for a right of way and was refused. If the Germans had any sense of humour, they would cease to make themselves so ridiculous in the eyes of neutrals.