The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1914-09-22
ALLIES MUST MAKE
FIRST PEACE MOVE
GERMAN CHANCELLOR SUGGESTS
THEY BE SOUNDED ON MEDI-
ALTON PLAN.
REPLY TO WILSON'S OFFER
u. S. Ambassador at Berlin Cables
Kaiser viii Not Consider Peace
Proposal Until Assured Fees
Want to Conclude War.

Washington, ID. c., Sept. 18-Ger-
many has suggested Informally that
the United States undertake to elicit
from Great Britain, France, and Rus
STA statement of the terms under
which the allies would make peace.
The suggestion was made by the i'm
perial chancellor, Won Bethmann-H oll-
veg, to Ambassador Gerard at Berlin
as result of an inquiry sent by the
american government to learn
whether Emperor William was desir-
Gus of discussing peace, as Count Won
BernstorH, the German ambassador,
and Oscar Strauss recently had re-
ported.
NO reply was made by Emperor
William himself nor did the imperial
chancellor indicate whether or not he
spoke on behalf of his monarch.
Cables Chancellors Remarks.
Ambassador Gerard cabled Presi-
dent Wilson the chancellor's remarks
from recollection, which were substan-
TALLY 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 1t was forced to fight. Even if
Germany defeats France it must like
wise Vanquish both Great Britain and
RUSSIA, as all three have made an
agreement not to make peace EXCEPT
Dy common consent. Similarly Eng
iand has announced through Premier
Asquith and its diplomats and news
papers that it intended to fight to the
limit of its endurance.
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 ac-
cept only a lasting peace, one that
would make it's people secure against
culture attacks. To accept mediation
now would be interpreted by the al
lies as a sign of weakness on the part
OF Germany and would be misunder
stood by the German people, who. hav
ing mace great sacrifices, had the right
10 demand guarantees of security.
Gerard Is Optimistic.
The above is all that Ambassador
Gerard communicated as to his con-
Versatlon. He added only the brief
comment that he, himself, thought the
way might possibly be opened to
mediation.
president Wilson did not regard the
message, however, as bringing any,
thing tangible. He referred to the
chancehors conversation as noncom-
INITIAL and incidental to the acknowI-
edgment of the American govern
ments inquiry. The president indi-
Gated that he rather expected a reply
TO the inquiry to be sent eventually
from the emperor himself.
Waits for Another MESSAGE.
President Wilson took no action as
result OF the message, waiting to
near from Ambassador Gerard whether
anything of more formal character
could be obtained by him which the
united States might communicate to
Great Britain. France, and Russia.
Germany's position is that it will
give its opinion on terms of peace
when 1t has received a definite state
ment from the allies of their propos-
ais. The statement that Germany did
not want war but that it was forced
TO fight, as well as the declaration
that IL wanted lasting peace is al
most Identical with the remarks
which Sir Edward Grey made to Am
Dassador Page in London last week
Vital Battle RACES.
Paris, Sept. 1S.-What is believed
to be the vital battle of the present
war Is now raging on line extending
from the region of Noyon, on the
River Disc northwest of Paris to the
River Mouse, north of verdun. The
'front.' is somewhat shorter than was
the case in the battle of the Marine
and the conflict is being much more
fiercely contested. The masses of
troops are hurting themselves at each
other and victories are claimed ON
both sides.
This condition is verified in an Off.
clal statement given out tonight
which announces that "the situation
is without change