The Washington herald., 1914-09-13
SECRET PEACE
EFFORTS Seen
in CONFERENCES
President Wilson and Bryan
Await Nature Of Reply
from Kaiser.
0VERTURES MADE HERE
If Answer Is. Favorable, U. S.
viii Press Inquiry Into AL
legged Atrocities.
LIGHT SHED ON STATE AFFAIRS
Proposal Based on Statement of En-
peror to Chancellor that He Would
Consider Mediation.

Special TO The Washington heTad
New York, Sept. IA Washington dis
patch to the American says:
The United States government has
made an informal inquiry of Germany
asking if the imperial government wishes
TO discuss terms Of peace with the allies.
The inquiry has been under considera-
ton for several days by Emperor Will
lam and his reply is awaited hourly. Upon
the Ksiser's reply will depend greatly the
advance of the peace movement which
was informally inaugurated a week ago.
The purpose Of the present exchange Of
communications between the United
States government and that OF the Kaiser
is to learn IL Germany is as willing to
talk peace as has been intimated.
Following is a remarkable chronology
Of the growth of the peace movement
during seven days of peace talk. 1t was
gathered from diplomatists and officials
directly concerned, some of the facts be-
ing supplied by the principals:
First Meeting Held
Saturday, September Count Won
Bernstorff, German Ambassador, dined
with James Speyer. the Banker, in New
York. Oscar Straus. American member
of The Hague Tribunal, was present As
the conversation turned to the subject Of
peace in Europe. the German Ambassa-
dor said that while he had had no advises
from his government since leaving Ber-
lin. he recalled a conversation with the
imperial chancellor there, in which the
latter said he believed the Emperor
would be willing to discuss measures of
peace through mediation
Previous to the Ambassadors con-
versation with the chahcellor, Emperor
William had acknowledged President
Wilson's tender Of good offices, but had
been noncommital as to its acceptance.
Mr.. Straus asked :he German Ambassa-
dor for permission to repeat the con-
vcrsation to Secretary Bryan. Count Won
BernstorfS gave his consent.
Sunday, September 6. Mr.. Strsus ar
rived in Washington and met Secretary
Bryan. They conferred secretly and the
Secretary communicated later with Presi-
dent Wilson. 1t was decided to get the
German Ambasss doris consent to for
ward a report of the incident to Am
hasa dor Gerard Cor discussion with the
German foreign office. In the meantime
Mr. Straus was advised TO talk over the
situation with the British and French
Ambassadors here. He saw each that
day.
Confer with Bryan.
Monday. Sept. THE German Am |
bsssador reached Washington and con- !
ferred with Mr.. Byan. The Secretary /
then cabIed Ambassador Gerard TO in
quire of Emperor William if he desired
to confirm the statement made by him to /
the imperial chancellor and repeated to /
Count Won Bernstorff. Copies OF this
were sent to Ambassador Page |
and Ambassador Herrick. Meanwhile !
Mr.. Straus had talked with the British |
and French ambassadors and acquainted |
them with what had occurred at the |
dinner in New York. Both the ambassa- |
doris reported the incident unofficislly to
their foreign Offices
Tuesday, Sept. S.-Secretary Bryan told
the British Ambassador. Sir Cecil Spring
Rice. what mad occurred and learned the
had made inquiry of his gov
eminent TO learn its attitude toward
peace.
"wednesday, September 9.-Sir Edward /
Grey discussed with Ambassador Page
the inquiry which the latter had received
from Bryan. Sir Edward Grey cabled the |
British Ambassador here that as Great I
Britain, France. and Russia had agreed /
not to make peace without common con-
sent, the position of the Triple Entente
was unanimous. Sir Edward said the
powers wanted no temporary truce but
permanent peace. The British foreign
secretary added that before the subject
could be considered seriously definite
terms would have to be submitted. Great
Britain. Sir Edward pointed out. would