Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1914-09-18
.Germany's Imperial Chancel-
lOr Breaches Subject to
American Ambassador
SAYS ALLIES SHOULD
STATE THEIR TERMS
Counter Proposals by Ger
many Might Then Lead to
Final Agreement

Washington, Sept. lS.-President
Wilson was extremely hopeful" today
that real progress toward European
peace may come from Germany's 5 infOr.
nal suggestion that the United States
undertake to elicit from Great Britain,
France and Russia a statement of the
terms under which the allies would
make peace. The suggestion was voiced
by the imperial chancellor, Won Beth
mann-Hollweg, to American Ambassa.
dor Gerard at Berlin.
While it was autnoritatively stated
that terms were not discussed in the
conversation between Gerard and Won
Bethmann-Hol it was learned from
a reliable source that President Wilson
had reason to hope that definite peace
overtures may be presented soon. The
ehancellor's remarks to Ambassador
Gerard follows:
Did Not Want War.
" Germany was appreciative of the
American government s interest and of
fer Of services in trying to make peace
Germany did not want war, but had il
forced on her. Even if she defeats
France sne must likewise vanquish botf
Great Britain and Russia, as all three
have made an agreement to not make
peace except by common consent. Sim
ilarly England has announced through
Premier Asquith that she intended tC
fight to the limit of her endurance.
' In view of that determination OIL
thn mart nf Graot pr;Ao;, A.
States ought to get proposals of peae,
from the allies. Germany could accept
only lasting peace, one that woult
make her people secure against future
attacks.
Wilson Works At It.
TO accept mediation now would b,
interpreted by the allies as sign oi
weakness on the part of Germany anC
would be misunderstood by thu
German people, who, having made grea
sacrifices, have the right to demanC
guarantee of security"
Whatever negotiations are in progress
are being made with the greatest Sc
crecy. 1t is understood that Presiden
Wilson soon will make guarded inquir
les of the allies, advising them of tn,
German chancellOr's position. He wa
expected to ask the allies to presen
counter proposals and suggestions whicl
may bring the nations together on SOM
plane for preliminary discussion.
1t was evident toGay that Presiden
Wilson is personally handling the peac
overtures, excluding even Secretary 0
State Bryan and the diplomatic repre-
sentatives of the cOmbatants.
Peace negotiations will hinge on th
Interpretation President Wilson and hi
advisers place on the communication
exchanged between Washington an,
Berlin.
Just An Acknowledgment.
1t was stated later in the day tina
the president does not feel that he ha
received anything from Berlin to wal
rant MIN in renewing his offers o
mediation. He regards Chancellor Yo
Bethmann-HOllweg's reply as a mer
acknowledgment of informal inquiries
The president told White House call
ers this afternoon that AmbassadO
Gerard, in transmitting the German re
ply, had made no comment. 1t wa
said at the White House that nothin
additional had been received to chang
President Wilson's view of the situa
tion. Nevertheless, it was expected h
would continue his proffers constant
without appearing obtrusive.
American ambassadors in England
France and Russia probably within
few days will be instructed to informa
ly sound the governments to which the
are accredited relative to their presen
views on the mediation proposal.
Madame Rosika Schwimmer, of Buda
pest, representing the Internationa
Women 5 Suffrage Alliance, called tC
day at the White House and propose
to President Wilson that the Unite
States head a committee of neutral ns
tions in an effort to bring about peae'
making daily offers OF mediation. Sh
quoted the president as saying that tn
suggestion carried great weight wit
him.