25 MAY 1918, Page 3

Mr. Balfour went on to say that there was no

sign whatever of the willingness of German public opinion to consider a reasonable peace. It was significant that the Austrian Emperor offered France a province in German hands, which he was in no position to defter without Germany's consent. A Committee of the French Chamber had examined the whole question, and had decided that the Emperor's letter did not form a satisfactory basis for an honour- able peace. With that verdict the House of Commons might well be content. The Government, Mr. Balfour said, had no secrets from President Wilton, and they were always prepared to listen to any genuine though informal peace proposals, and to deal with such proposals in concert with the Allies.