The Washington times., 1914-09-13
j. s. PEACE OFFER.
HANGS IN BALANCE
Pending Reply From Germany,
Definite Proposals Will Not
Be Attempted.
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willing to discuss peace measures
through mediation.
With the consent of Count Won Bern
storff.. Mr.. Straus repeated the con-
versation to Secretary of State Bryan
and it was decided to get the German
ambassadors consent to forward a re-
port of the incident to Ambassador
Gerard for discussion with the German
foreign office
Conferred in Private.
Count Won Bernstorff and Secretary
Bryan conferred privately last Monday,
and Secretary Bryan obtained the en-
voy's consent to cable Ambassador Ger
ard conveying to Emperor William an
inquiry from the American Government
as to whether he desired to confirm
the statement reputed to him by the
German chancellor and repeated by the
chancellor to Count Won Bernstorff in
private conversation.
At the same time the matter was
taken up by Secretary Bryan with AM
bassador Page at London. and Ambas-
sador Herrick. at Paris, with instruc-
tons to sound the government to which
they are accredited on the matter. Mr..
Straus. meantime talked with the Brit
ish and French ambassadors, who re-
ported the incident officially to their
governments.
After a discussion with Sir Edward
Grey. Ambassador Page cabled this
Government that Great Britain was
standing firm on its agreement with
France and Russia not to make peace
without common consent, and that the
three governments were agreed on the
question Of terms.
Want Definite Terms.
Before England would discuss peace,
Ambassador Page said he had been in
formed by the British foreign secretary,
definite terms would have to be SUBJ
mitted. The British view was that the
world must be insured against a reopen
ing of the war after Germany had re-
couped itself In other words German
militarism must be crushed. Full COM
pensation to Belgium by Germany was
mentioned as one of the things Great
Britain would insist upon
Ambassador Herrick in reporting the
views of the French government cabled
that the earnest wish had been ex-
pressed to him. on behalf of France.
that there might be peace, but as a
condition precedent to the discussion OF
peace, France would insist that Ger
man invaders must be driven from
French soil. and that assurances would
be given for full compensation by Ger
many to Belgium.
Here the situation rests awaiting n
reply from the German government to
the peace overtures. Meantime, two
views are expressed of the probable
outcome of the negotiations.
On the one hand. diplomatists who
insist the Germans will not discuss
peace until they are crushed, insist
that Emperor William was basing his
declaration of willingness to future
discussion of peace on the conviction
that the German arms would force
their way unchecked to Paris. With
the tide apparently turning against him.
these dipomatists declare, Germany
would not think OF talking peace until
its arms had been beaten down.
Austrian Populace Aroused.
Another view expressed, however, is
that the frightful losses sustained by
Germany's ally. Austria. and the anger
of the Austrian populace at seeing
their armies cut down by Russia's
Overwhelming numbers, while small aid
was given by Germany might encour-
age the government to sue for peace
and leave Germany. battling alone with
the powers of the triple entente, no
other alternative but to sue for peace.
Awaiting the German Emperor's re-
ply and in the absence of President
Wilson, officials today refused to dis
cuss the question. 1t was the gen
eral belief, however. that this new
move, taken in connection with Presi-
dent Wilson's formal mediation pro-
posal made some time ago, would pro-
vide a basis for the discussion of peace
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