Evening star., 1914-08-17
MEDIATION OFFER
IS |SACKNOWLEDGED
Russia the Only One of War
ring Nations Yet to Make
Response.
REPLY FROM GERMANY
LATEST TO BE RECEIVED
President Wilson Satisfied With Re
sults-No Immediate Acceptance
of Good Offices Expected.

Germany has acknowledged receipt
of President Wilson'S proffer OF gooe
offices In mediation or arbitration. All
the warning countries except Russia
have replied.
Secretary Bryan, consistent with ms
| refusal to discuss the replies from any
of the powers, would not go into de-
tails as to Germany's acknoWledg-
ment, but it is understood, as in the
case of others received, to be only an
acknowledgment.
Difficulties of communication with
Berlin are taken as the cause for the
delay in Emperor Williams reply. All
the others replied several days ago.
1t is known here that the offer has
been received at the st. petersburg
foreign office, but, because Russian Of
fciais say they have been Unable to
get 1t to Emperor Nicholas, acknoWi-
edgment has been delayed.
Tender Not Specifically Rejected.
While none Of the replies received
from any of the European governments
specifically rejects the tender OF good
offices made by the United States. some
of them accompanied their acknowl-
edgment of the tender with a statement
of their position in the general conflict.
On the whole. department officials here
non-committal. and believed at some
future time a more definite answer
might be given by the powers concerned,
especially If any of the principals
showed an inclination to treat for
peace.
The administration did not expect that
mediation would be considered in the
first heat of conflict. and before any
great or decisive battles had been
fought. The offer was made simply to
remind the participants in the war that
the United States stands ready to act
without discrimination in the effort to
bring about peace when the time is
ripe. -
The United States is now caring for
the diplomatic interests of Russia as
we'll as all the other belligerent powers
of Europe except Servia and Montenegro
The addition Of Russia was considered
as an interesting development here. In
view Of the absence Of treaty relations
between the United States and Russia.
Reply Made by France.
The reply of the French premier to
President Wilson's offer of mediation
is not understood to be final nor as
indicating an indisposition on the part
of the French. government to consider
the proposal. 1t is rather construed
as a polite acknowledgment Of the
Offer and after all, is about what was
expected at this time. The admins
tration never had an idea that media.
ton would be considered in the first
heat of conflict and before the sober
ing effects Of really great and decisive
battles, and the offer was made simply
to remind the participants in the pres
ent great war that the United States
stands ready to act as their best
friend. and without discrimination. In
the effort to bring about a general
peace when the time is ripe.
View Expressed by Bryan.
That view was set forth clearly by
Secretary Bryan in a recent newspaper
comment upon the Presidents media
tion offer. as follows:
"It may be some time before the
nations engaged in the European war
will be willing to listen to any sug-
gestion of mediation, but the Presi-
dent, in rendering the good offices OF
the government at this time, has
measured up to the responsibilities OF
the nation and to the expectations of
the American people. The United
walton as long as 1t can possibly be
preserved-and. in case Of war, IL
stands for the restoration Of peace
at the earliest possible moment. When
the anger Of the belligerent nations
has sufficiently abated they will find
the President waiting to render such
assistance as may be within his power
in the direction of accommodation and
conciliatioD. He has sent the dove
out of the ark in search of dry land
God speed its return with the olive
leaf"