Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1914-09-18
Ambassador Gerard Says
Chancellor Is Willing to
Hear Suggestions Which
Allies May Submit,
PRESIDENT WILSON
IS NOT OPTIMISTIC
Some Reply to Offer Of Media
ton May Be Had From En-
peror William Before Many
Days.

Washington. Sept l5.-Germany
has suggested informally that the
United States should undertake 10
elicit from Great Britain. France and
Russia, a statement OF the terms un-
der which the allies wonld make
peace.
The suggestion was made by the
imperial chancellor, Won Gethmann-
Hollweg. to Ambassador Gerard at
Berlin as a result of an inquiry sent
hv the American government 10 learn
whether Emperor William was desir-
Gus Of discussing peace as Count Won
Berst0rff, the German ambassador.
and Oscar Strans recently had re-
ported.
No reply was made by Emperor
William himself, nor did the imperial
chancellor indicate whether or not he
fpoke on behalf of his monarch. Am
hassador Gerard cablcd President
Wilson the chancellor's remarks from
recollection which were substantially
as follows:
Germany Appreciates Offer.
Germany was appreciative OF the
American governments interest and
offer OF services in trying to make
peace Germany did not want war
but had il forced on her. Even If
she defeats France. she must likewise
ranQuish Great Britain and Russia as
all three have made an agreement not
to make peace except by common con-
sent Similarly England has an
nounced through Premier Asquith and
her diplomatists and newspapers that
she intended 70 fight to the limit of
her endurance In view OF that de-
termination on the part OF Great Brit
ain the United States ought TO get
proposals of peace from the allies.
Germany could accept only a lasting
peace. one that would make her peo-
pie secure against future attacks. To
accept mediation now would be inter-
preted by the allies as sign OF
weakness on the part of Germany and I
would be misunderstood by the Ger 1
man people who, having made great !
sacrifices. had the right TO demandY
guarantees of security
Possible Mediation.
The above Is all that Ambassador
Gerard communicated as to his con-
versation. He adds only the brief
comment that he. himself. thought the
way might possibly be opened TO me-
riaiion. President Wilson did not re-
gard the message, however, as bring
ing anything tangible. He referred to
the ehancellor's conversation as non
committal and incidentally to the ac-
knowledgement OF the American gov
ernment's inquiry. The president IN I
dicated that he rather expected re-
ply to the inquiry to be sent eventually /
from the emperor himself. NE real Z
izes that the imperial chancellor may
have consulted the monarch by teie-
graph before talking informally with I
the American ambassador.
President Wilson took no action as
a result of the message, waiting 70 {
hear from Ambassador Gerard wheth- !
er anything OF more formal charac-
ter could be obtained by him when !
The United States might communicate {
10 Great Britain. France and Russia.
II was understood tonight that neith-
er the British nor French ambassadors
who are In Washington were inform {
ID officially or unofficially by Sec
refary Bryan of the conversation be-
ween the German chancellor and Am !
Dassador Gerard !
Demands Proposal From Enemy.
Germany's position is that she VIII
sive her opinion on terms OF peace
when she has received definite
'tatement from the allies of their
proposals. The statement that Ger
many did not want war but had II
orced on her as we'll as the deciara-
ion that she wanted a lasting peace
$ almost identical with the remarks
which Sir Edward Grey made TO Am
,assador Page in London last week.
ME British foreign secretary said
England wanted no temporary truce
'ut permanent peace and one ina.
Would safeguard her against sudden = !,
ttacks.
The general belief in well-mformeo
ircles tonight was that the president = =
fter waiting few days for more ~ q
ormation from Berlin, would prop y
bly, instruct the American ambassa. +"
ors at London. Paris and Petrograo
0 communicate to the governments - -
| those points what the German n n