The state herald., 1914-09-25
WHAT WILL ALLIES ASk?.
query OF BERLIN CHANCELLOR
TO AMBASSADOR GERARD.
Germany wants Lasting Peace, Presi-
dent Believes Direct Reply From
Emperor May Follow Discussion.

Westerh NcWspApcr Union news service.
Washington. = Germany has sug-
gested informally that the United
States should undertake TO elicit from
Great Britain, France and Russia a
statement of the terms under which
the allies would make peace.
The suggestion was made by the i'm
perial chancellor, Won Bethmann-Holl-
veg, to Ambassador Gerard at Berlin
as result of an inquiry sent by the
American government to learn
whether Emperor William was de-
sirous of discussing peace as Count
Won Bernstorff. the German am
bassador, and Oscar Straus recently
nad reported.
No reply was made by Emperor VIII
liam himself nor did the imperial
chancellor indicate whether or not he
spoke on behalf OF his monarch. Am
bassador Gerard cabled President Wi.
son the chancellor's remarks from
recollection. which was substantially
as follows:
Germany was appreciative of the
American governments interest and
offer of services In trying to make
peace. Germany did not want war,
but had 1t forced on her Even II she
defeats France. she must likewise van
quish both Great Britain and Russia,
as all three have made an agreement
not to make peace except by common
consent.
Similarly England has announced
through Premier Asquith and her dip
lomatists and newspapers that she in
tended to fight to the limit OF her en-
durance.
In view of that determination on
the part OF Great Britain. the United
States ought to get proposals OF peace
from the allies. Germany could accept
only lasting peace, one that would
make her people secure against fu'
ture attacks.
ITO accept mediation now would be
interpreted by the allies as sign OF
weakness on the part of Germany and
would be misunderstood by the Ger
man people who. having made great
sacrifices, had the right to demand
guarantees OF security"
The above is all that Ambassador
Gerard communicated as to his conver'
sation. He added only the brief com
ment that he. himself thought the way
might possibly be opened TO mediation
President Wilson did not regard the
message as bringing anything tang
ible. He referred to the chancellor 4
conversation as non-cominittal and In
cidental to the acknowledgment oi
The President indicated that he ratheI
expected reply to the inquiry to be
sent eventually from the emperor him
self. though he realizes that the i'm
perial chancellor may have consulted
his monarch by telegraph before talk
ing informally with the American am
bassador.
President Wilson took no action AZ
result Of the message. waiting to
hear from Ambassador Gerard
whether anything Of a more forma
character could be obtained by him
which the United States might com
municate to Great Britain. France and
Russia.
Peace Plan Ignored by Powers.
Great Britain has received no pro
posal for peace. either direct or indi
rect. from Germany or Austria. and
therefore has nothing to say on the
subject. The warning powers seem "a
ignore all peace suggestions. This was
the substance OF n message received
by Sir Cecil Spring.Rlce. the British
ambassador here. from Sir Edward
Grey. the British foreign secretary.
Austria Anxious for Peace.
London.--Austris is desirous ol
peace. according to Rome dispatch
to the Daily Telegraph. which repre-
sents Internal conditions. particularly
In Bosnia. Croatia and Dalmatia. as
disastrous.
Preliminary steps toward the posi-
BILE arrangement OF peace between
Russia and Austria ar. reported In the
Corriere Della Sierra OF Milan, Italy
according to dispatch to the London
Chronicle.
II is asserted that the aged EN-
peror. Francis Joseph. voices the hope
that Berlin will offer no serious oppo
sl,ion TO such n peace.