The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-09-13
INFORMAL INQUIRY
TO KAISER ON PEACE
On Tenor of Reply Depends Fu-
ture Negotiations With Great
Britain, France and Russia.
CHRONOLOGY OF MOVEMENT
Diplomats Express View That
Sudden Turn Of Events May
Change Situation.

WASiiINGToN. September i2-Ein-
pcror William has had under consid-
GRAFTON for several days, IL was learned
to.n night. an informal inquiry from the
United states as TO whether German:
desires To discuss terms OF peace With
her foes On the tenor OF reply depends
10 son,o extent whether or not the
Informal pcaco movement. Inaugurated
week. ago, can be pursued further
with GreRt Britain. France and Russia.
The inquiry was not a formal one.
such as President Wilson's original
tender OF good Offices. but was an ef-
!ori to determine whether GermanY's s
reported Willingness TO talk peace was
based on fact. The chronology OF The
peace movement was revealed tn-U light
after canvass ot officials, diplomats
and other. directly concerned The
story Of the seven DAYS OF peace talk,
a. told BY some OF the principals. sub
stantially Is as follows:
Saturday, September Count Won
Eernstorr tho German ambassador.
dimcd "ith James Speycr Ia New York
oscar Strtus American ncnhcr Of
Tho Hague tribunal and forIaet Cabinet
officer. was present when the con-
Nersation turned to the subject OF
peace IN Europe. the German amhas-
sador said that while ne had had no
alYiccS from his government since
leaving Berlin. he recalled convcrsa-
,;ou with the Imperial Chancellor there
in which the latter said hc believed
tse Emperor would BE- willing to dis
cuss peace measures through media
ton. i'rcyi5us 10 tho ambassador =
conversation with ihc chancellor Em-
pcTor William already had acknow
lodged President Wilsou'e tender OF
isood Offices, lat had been noncommittal
a. to i,s acceptance. Nh Straus asked
tuc German ,mbassador for pcrmis-
siun 20 repeat thc conversation 10 Sec
s,tary Ely.u. Count you nerustorN
guyr mis- consent
.,:cuEri., CONFER
.r HOME on Hn.tN
sunday. September e--Mr s,raus an
rly.d ia Washington and went 10 tho
hone OF Secretary Bryan, where they
accrctly conferred. rhc secretary
later communicated with the rresi
dcut II was decided 10 Set the Ger
niau ambassadors consent to forward
- report OF the incident TO Ambassa dor
Gerard for discussion with The Ger
man Foreign Office. In the meantime,
Ma. Straus was advised to talk tho
situation over with tic British and
French ambassadors here 'le saw
each that day
Monday. !cptcmber THE Geruaii
Ambassador reached Washington and
conferred privately with Nh Bryan
As result OF the conference, tho
secretary ctbled Ambassador Gerard IL
convey To Emperor William an inquiry
from the American government as /"
whether he desired 10 confirm the
statement reported To- have been made
by him 10 the Imperial Chancellor. and
repeated by the Chancellor to Count
Won Bernstorff in private conversation.
Copies OF the message 10 Ambassador
Gerard were sent by Secretary Bryan
10 Ambassador Page ut London. and
Ambassador Herrick AZ Paris. Mean =
while Mr.. Straus had talked with the
Ia ii. s.f 4
Of whom said they could make no
dcnnite statement without instructions.
Mr. Straus acquainted them with
what had occurred at the dinner in
New York. Both Che French and Brit
ish ambassadors reported the incident
uuonicialiy 10 their respective Foreign
Offices.
tuesday. September s-secretary
Bryan told the British ambassador. Sir
Cecil Spring Rice, what had occurred,
and learned that the ambassador haI
made inquiry Of his government to
learn its attitude toward pcace
>ur TO MtI<E PEACE
WITHOUT COMMON CONSENT
Wcdnesday, September o--Sit Ed
ward Grey discussed with Amba Ssado;-
Pare the inquiry the latter had "e-
ccived from Secretary Bryan On the
s;&rie day Sir Edward Grey cablcd the
British ambassador. that as Great Brit
ain. Frapcc and Russia i'm the preccd-
ing week had agreed not to make peace
without common consent. the posi-
tior OF the triple entente WAS nnani-
NOUS on the question: OF terms. Sir
Edward said what the powers wanted
was no temporary truce, but perma
nent peace in Europe. so that the world
could be insured against the sudden
outbreaks or war after Germans had
rccoupcd herself lie added that hc-
fore tho subject could be considered
Ia don I,ls srT
TO be subtnittcd Great Britain Sir
Edward pointed out, would insist that
Bcl,:lum be fully compensated for her
losses. This information was com
,nunicatcd 10 Secretary Bryan by the
british amba Ssador.
Thursday. September l0-The French
amba ssador called on Secretary Bryan.
and. it is Understood. discussed the
i'rcnch point Of view. Anbnssadov
licr:ick concidcntally reported the
earnest wish of France that thcre might
re peace, hut pointed out that until
the French had driven ,hc invaders
from their territory and Seie iun had
been compensated s"tmS of peace
could not bc negotiated
During the afternoon Ambassador
Pages report of his conversation with
Sir Edward Grey also reached the
White House. Great britain. accord
ing to Amba ssadpr Page, was deter
mined TO make no peace until German
mlitnrism had been crushed. because
OF It's danger TO the worlds civlizn-
ton. On the same day came personal
messaGes from Emperor William ana
President Poncarc, Of France, concern
ing tho use of dum-dum bullets
WILSON AND uRS.N
on GENERAL SIrUtVI0N
Friday, September II President VIII
son and Secretary Bryan conferred on
the general situation, and 1t is. undci-
| stood determined TO await the i'cply OF