The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1914-09-23
WOULD HAVE ALLIES
STATES PEACE TERMS
Informal Suggestion from Germany
that Akfes State Terms Of Peace.

Unit AhleS state Terms OF Peace.
Washington, Sept. Germany
has suggested informally that the
United States should undertake to
eficit from Great Britain, France and
Russia, statement Of terms under
which the allies would make peace.
The suggestion was made by the
imperial chancellor, Won Bethmann-
Hollweg, to Ambassador Gerard at
Berlin as result Of an inquiry sent
by the American government to learn
whether Emperor William desired TO
discuss peace, as Count Won Vern-
storff, the German ambassador and
Oscar Straus recently had reported.
Emperor William himself made no
reply nor did the imperial chancellor
Indicate whether he spoke on behalf
CT his monach. Ambassador Gerard
cabled President Wilson the chanccl-
lors remarks from recollection. which
substantially were as follows:
Germany appreciated the American
governments interest and offer OF ser
vices in trying to mako peace. Cor
many had war forced on her. Even
If she defeats France, she must van
Quish Great Britain and Russia also
az all three have agreed not to make
peace except by common consent.
England has announced that she in
tcnrs to fight to the limit of her en-
durance. In view Of that determine
ton the United Staets ought to get
peace proposals from the allies. Ger
many could accept only a lasting
peace one that would make her pco-
pic secure against future attacks. TO
accept mediation now would be in-
tcrpreted by the allies as sigr Of
weakness and would be misunderstood
by the German people. who, having
made great sacrifices had the right to
demand guarantees Of security.
Ambassador Gerard added to this
only the brief comment that he, him
self thought tic way misEt possible
be open to mediation Prcsidcn.
Wilson, however did no. regard the
message as bringing anything targ-
IDLE. He referred to the chancGllo:'s
conversation as non conn ittal. Tac
president took no action as Il rcSul;
of the message, waiting to ilear from
Ambassador Gerard whcthcc unytlin.
OF a more formal charactcr could he
obtained
Germany's position IS that sic will
givo her opinion on peace tcrms when
she has received a definite staccncnt
from the allies Of their proposals. The
statement that Germany ha! war
forced on her as we'll as the dcciara-
tion that sho wanted a lasting peace
is almost identical with remarks Sir
Edward Grey made to Ambassador
Page in London last week
The general belief tonight was tha.
the president. after waiting a few
days more for information from Hcr-
lin probably would instruct tie
American ambassadors at London,
Paris and Pctrograd to communicates
"hoC IlC iliDCl ldl CIdlCcllOT
had said to Ambassador Gerard. 1t
was believed the ambassadors would
be asked to reiteratc the wish Of the
American government to be Of ser
vice in bringing about peace.
Diplomatists were disposed to be-
lieye that through such informal CON
vcrsations something definite might
be obtained as working basis. IF a
concord Of opinion for discussion of
peace terms were reached President
Wilson then would endeavOr to OBJ
tain an acceptance by all belligerents
OF the original tender of good Offices.
THIS would not mean cessation Of
hostilities unless the mediatiilg power
specifically made 1t q condition Of
mediation and all belligerents agreed
to 1t. An armistlce would serve
merely as truce while peace was
discussed.
See the extra big values on our Ten
nt.,,, IL