View source for Extract from the Speech of Baron Sonnino, Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs, in the Chamber of Deputies, December 18, 1916

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'''Extract from the Speech of Baron Sonnino, Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs, in the Chamber of Deputies, December 18, 1916<sup>1</sup>'''<br>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Government knows absolutely nothing regarding the specific <br>
conditions of the enemy's peace proposals and regards as an enemy <br>
manoeuvre the rumours secretly spread about them. We must re- <br>
member that none of the Allies could in any way take into considera- <br>
tion any condition offered to it separately. The reply of the Allies <br>
will be published as soon as it has been agreed upon. <br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We all desire a lasting peace, but we consider as such an or- <br>
dered settlement of which the duration does not depend upon the <br>
strength of the chains binding one people to another, but on a just <br>
equilibrium between States and respect for the principle of nation- <br>
ality, the rights of nations, and reasons of humanity and civiliza- <br>
tion. While intensifying our efforts to beat the enemy, we do not <br>
aim at an international settlement by servitude and predominance <br>
implying the annihilation of peoples and nations. If a serious pro- <br>
posal was made on a solid basis for negotiations satisfying the gener- <br>
al demands of justice and civilization, no one would oppose an a priori <br>
refusal to treat, but many things indicate that that is not the case <br>
now. The tone of boasting and insincerity characterizing the pre- <br>
amble to the enemy notes inspires no confidence in the proposals of <br>
the Central Empires. The Governments of the Allies must avoid <br>
the creation for their populations by a false mirage of vain nego- <br>
tiations of an enormous deception, followed by cruel disappointment.<br>

<hr>
<sup>1</sup><i>The Times</i>, London, December 19, 1916