South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-04-15
SLIGHT HOPE IN
OFFER OF PEACE
Proposals of Count Won Bern
Storff Not Likely to Result in
Negotiations LOking to End
ing of HOStiIitieS.

WASHINGTON. April 1.-THE adj
ministration is unable 10 take official
notice Of the unofficial overtures look
ing toward peace, made by Count Won
Bernstorff, German ambassador 10 the
United States. Unless Won BernstOrff
makes his propositions in some more
formal and official fashion, they Will
be ignored. There are several reasons
for this; the chief ones, however, be-
ing that Pres't Wilson has been as
sured in definite and unmistakaDle
terms by the British, Russian and
French ambassadors that the terms of
the unofficial proposals for peace put
out by Won BernstOrm are entirely un-
satisfactory and that the present is no
time to enter on vague and indefinite
pour parlOurs.
Despite official denials, IL is learned
that Won BernstOrn himself is respOn-
sible for the reports circulated in
Washington in regard TO Berlin's will
ingness to consider peace proposals.
With the understanding that he
should not be quoted, these proposals
were published They were suDstan-
TALLY as follows: Cd That Berlin
would not sue for peace CD That the
subject might be discussed on the
basis OF a return TO the status quo at
the time war was declared; CD That
ing an indemnity for the damage done
70 Belgium; (4) That Belgium be
evacuated by the German armies; 90
That Russia shall have a way out
through the DardanelleS and that
proper arrangement should be made
by Germany with Turkey TO accom-
plish this result; 60 That Alsace and
Lorraine must remain German terri
tory; CD That Germany shall pur-
chase the Belgian Congo for rea-
sOnable sum; (S) That in case OF fu-
ture wars, neutral commerce on the
high seas shall not be interfered with;
and that other matters should be left
TO future adjustment.
Would BE Waste OF Time.
The information which comes TO the
white house is to the effect that any
effort TO open up peace negotiations
on the basis Of these informal over
lures would be a waste OF time and
would merely complicate the diplo-
matte situation. In the first place, the
British. Russian and French authori-
ties assure the president that no ne
gotiations can go forward except with
the consent of all the allies and there
are many conditions mentioned IN
these informal suggestions which
would stand in the beginning as per-
manent barriers TO any possible I'M
Outstanding. England would insist
for example, on an indemnity for Bel
GUM and the permanent assurance as
To the neutrality Of that country but
the one thing which is controlling IN
the thought of the allies is the deter
minatiOn TO make impossible recur-
renee. at least in the near future, of
any such outbreak as that on the part
of Germany. which started the pres
ent maelstrOm.
Until the allies have used the ut
most OF the force which they nave
been preparing to accomplish this end,
they are not willing 10 delay their mil
itarv preparations or complicate the
diplomatic situation by considering
Won BernstOrffs Overtures-
Discussing the latter in private
and informal way. it is understood
that the French and English do not
regard these Won BernstOrn proposals
as seriously made. II is suggested by
them that the Germans have put them
out for their effect on public opinion
in the United states. They are in
tended IL is charged as an offset 10
the prevailing belief that Germany mas
been not only responsible Tor begin
ming the trouble, but from the start
has been unwilling TO consider peace
proposals by the United states. When
Prest Wilson attempted TO mediate
at the beginning of the trouble, the
German authorities were as determln-
ed and as OutspOkcn as the allies IN
rejecting the good offices OF the United
states. our secretary of state was as
sured that the Germans had no doubt
as 10 the successful outcome of their
venture. and that only when their
arms were so crowned with success
would they consider terms OF peace.
At a recent dinner private social
occasion-Count Won BernstOrH was
quoted as stating that while the time
for peace negotiations has now ar
rived. il was because Germany has
been victorious What the Germans
started TO do. he assured his friends.
had now been accomplished. lie re-
peated the official position of his gov
ernment. that Germany had been at
tackled and had struck to fepel inVa-
sion In the fact that German soil
has not been invaded, the war has
Leen a success
II is only the more optimistic VINO
Geo IN This Won BernstO~tf incident any
hone for the beginning of serious ne
gotiations looking TO permanent