The Mankato Free Press

PEACE OFFER GIVEN CHILL FROM FOLKS
BELGIANS TURNDOWN PROPOSAL WITH ICY HAND
America Rejects It; Now Closed Incident in the United States
WILSON REFLECTED SPIRIT OF THE BOYS
FRED FERGUSON With the Americans On the Metz Front, September 18.-President Wilson in his sharp reply to the Austrian government in regard to their peace proposals only reflected the full spirit of the American army at the front. From the highest general to the lowest doughboy there is only a grim determination to fight on until the boche is given a thorough whipping.

The peace proposal is regarded as a mere trick, a squeal for peace from the German government like the doughboys are accustomed to hear the boche squeal when he is struck with a bayonet.

Paris,--Belgium has rejected the German peace offer without making an elaborate reply.

Zurich, September 18.-Vienna papers indicate that the Austrian people are greatly excited and agitated over the cool reception and the adverse press comments the Austrian peace note received in the American and British newspapers. It is said that Baron Burián, foreign minister, is about to resign and that Prime Minister Werke is also ready to hand in his resignation.

Berlin reports state that the action of President Wilson caused a decided flutter in diplomatic circles. The people are frankly displeased. Chancellor Von Hertling and Foreign Minister Hintze are in great disfavor and may also resign, the reports state.

Amsterdam, September 18.-Germany has caused the announcement to be made that she has no knowledge within the diplomatic circles of the government of any peace proposals having been made to Belgium. The significant fact about this announcement is that the denial came only after Belgium had spurned all offers of peace.