Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1914-09-14
WEEKS PEACE TALK,
KAISER Is SILENT
Emperor Wilhelm Considers the
Inquiry of United States for
Several Days.
NO REPLY RECEIVED so FAR
Chronology of Movement Revealed
AFTER Canvass of Officials, Dip
Iomats and Others Directly
Concerned In Incident.

Concerned I'm Incident.
WASHINGTON sept 13. - Emperor
william has had under consideration for
several days, It was learned tonight, an
informal inquiry from the United states
government as to whether Germany de
sires to discuss terms OF peace with It's
foes.
In to late hour no reply had come,
but on its tenor depends TO some extent
whether or not the informal peace move
ment inauguated Just week ago to-
night can be pursued further with Great
Britain. France and Russia.
The inquiry was not a formal one such
as President Wilson's original tender OF
good offices but was an effort Of an Of
fetal character to determine whether
Germsny's reported willingness to talk
peace was based on fact
The chronology Of the peace movement
was revealed tonight after a canvass Of
officials. dipomatsts and others directly
concerned in the incident. The story OF
the seven days Of peace talk ne told by
some OF the principals, Is substantially
as follows:
Dimes with speyer.
Saturday, September Count Won
Bernstorff the German ambassador.
dined with James Speyor. the banker, at
tho latter's residence in New York.
oscar Straus. American member Of The
Hague tribunal and former cabinet Off
Ger. was present During the evening as
the conversation turned 90 the subject Of
peace in Europe the German ambassador
said that while he had no advices from
his government since leaving Berlin he
recalled q conversation with the imperial
chancellor there In which the latter said
he believed the emperor would be willing
90 discuss measures OF peace through
mediation.
Previous TO the ambassadors CONVEX
sation with the chancellor, Emperor
William had already Acknowledged Presi-
dent Wilson's tender Of good Offices but
had been noncommittal as to its accep-
lance. Mr. Straus Immediately asked tho
German ambassador for permission 20 re-
peat the conversation TO Secretary Bryan
at Washington Count Won Bernstorff
gave his consent.
Confers with Bryan.
Sunday. sept 6.-Mr. Straus arrived IN
Washington ard went to the home OF Sec
rotary Bryan where they secretly con
ferred. The secretary communicated later
with President Wilson. 1t was decided to
get the German ambassadors consent 10
forward n report OF the incident TO Am
hsssador Gerard for discussion with the
German foreign office. In the meantime,
Mr. Straus was advised TO talk the
situation over with the British and
French ambassador here. He saw each
that day.
Monday. Sept. THE German ambas-
sador reached Washington and conferred
privately with Mr.. Bryan. AS n result
OF the conference the secretary cabled
Ambassador Gerard to convey to Emperor
William an inquiry from the American
government as TO whether he desired to
confirm the statement reported to have
been made by him to the imperial chan
cellor and repeated by the chancellor to
Count Won Bernstorff in private con
servatlcn.
Report the Incident.
Copies Of the message to Ambassador
Gerard were sent by Secretary Bryan to
Ambassador Page at London and Am
bassador Herrlck at Paris. Meanwhile
Mr.. Straus had talked with the British
and French ambassadors, both OF whom
said they could make no definite state
ment without instructions as they had
heard nothing from their governments on
the subject OF peace They were &C
quainted by Mr.. Straus with what had
occurred at the dinner In New York. Both
TIE French and British ambassador re-
ported the incident unofficiaily to their
respective foreign offices.
Tuesday, Sept. S.-Secretarv Bryan told
the British ambassador. Sir Cecil Spring
Rice. what had occurred In detail and
learned that the ambassador similarly
had made inquiry of his government TO
learn its attitude toward peace.
Cables Ambassador.
Wednesday, Sept. a-sir Edward Grey
discussed with Ambassador Page the In
quiry which the latter had received from
Secretary Bryan. on the same day Sir
Edward Grey cabled the British ambas-
sador that as Great Britain. France and
Russia had In the preceding week agreed
not TO make peace without common con.
sent. the position OF the triple entente
was unanimous on the question of terms
Sir Edward said what the powers
wanted Was no temporary truce, but q
permanent peace In Europe so that IN,
world could be insured against the sudder
outbreak OF war after Germany had re
eouped itself The British foreign secre
taFy added, moreover. that England haC
from the first tried TO avoid war ant
wanted peace, but before the subiec
could be considered seriously definit,
terms would have to be submitted Grea
Britain. Sir Edward pointed out, wuul,
insist that Belgium he fully compensat tee
by Germany for its losses This informa