New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-09-04
lnsistence on Removal of
German Menace" Blocks
Action Now.
PRESIDENT UNABLE
TO OFFER SERVICE
Must Be Assured That Belliger-
ents Are Receptive" Before
He Can Act.
From The Trlhun. Bureau J

Washington. Sept 3.-Any possibility
move toward peace in Europe at this
time is believed to have been dispelled
this afternoon. An authoritative state
ment that there would be no such ac
ton till the United States receives in
formation that its good Offices will be
welcomed by both sides was almost CO.
incident with London dispatches say
ing that England would not discuss
peace on any other terms than those of
Premier Asquith's Guildhall speech.
This speech made the destruction of
the German menace" the one condition
on which Great Britain would insist.
The State Department. however, will
learn the attitude Of all the belliger-
ents and has telegraphed to its diplo-
matte representatives in each country
as communicated by Cardinal Gibbons
to President Wilson and Secretary Ian
sing yesterday. The ambassadors and
ministers have heen asked to sound
out the feeling in the countries to
which they are accredited and to learn
IL possible the minimum terms that
would be accepted in each case.
While neither the President nor the
Secretary of State would divulge the
nature of the plea offered bv Cardinal
Gibbons. it is generally believed here
that the Pope decided on it after learn
ing the attitude Of the Germanic allies.
with whom he recently exchanged
notes. and that he was in position 10
make known to this government the
terms on which Germany and Austria
would be willing to make peace.
Terms to Provoke Discussion.
These terms, as already outlined
from Berlin, are believed to be far IN
excess of what Germany could be IN
duced to accept, and to have been OF,
fered chiefly to provoke discussion ana
thus ascertain the attitude Of the enc
mics of Germany. Officials say that
for the ouadruple entente to accede
TO the terms laid down by Germany
would be suicide. as il would leave
them much worse off than before the
war. Germany asks as a minimum u
is thought. as much as she could ell
fectively demand after an uncondl-
tional ,aptulation by her enemies.
II is definitely stated in high admin
istrative quarters that the United
States will not undertake TO intervene
in the interests of peace until the at
titude of all the governments neces-
sarv to approach has been ascertained
and they are found to be receptive. 1t
is felt that to approach any OF the
allied powers. without the knowl ledge
and consent Of the others would indi-
cate a lack of faith in their alliance
and in their agreement not TO conclude
peace separately.
AS soon as reports are received from
American diplomatic representatives IN
the capitals of Europe they Will be
compared. and an effort will be made
to find some common point OF agree,
ment on which to base general appeal
for a discussion OF peace terms. Off
cials generally do not hold forth great
homes that the powers will be found
ready now 70 take up the question IN a
serious way, but believe that all Will
claim concessions from their enemies
which would be patiently unacceptable.
Means Bury the Hatchet.'
The practical certainty that Germany
regards the United States as the
natural mediator was considered an ex-
cellent indication that the Berlin gov
ernment has completely recovered from
the unsympathetic attitude that marked
the months following the Lusitania az
fair. officials look on It as contirma-
ton of the final settlement Of the sub
marine controversy. 81: puts the last
nail" one official, said, "in the coffin
IN which we are about TO bury the
hatchet."
The Arabic case has been dropped al
most completely from official discus
sion. Although, formally speaking, the
controversy over the destruction OF the
steamer has not even been opened,
Washington considers the case settled.
The German Government has virtually
granted the principle for which the
United States has contended. il is be-
iieved. so that nothing remains for ad-
iustment but the minor details OF in
demnity, which officials think will be
left 20 arbitration.