Albuquerque morning journal., 1916-12-13
Washington Depends Upon
Statements From Teuton
Embassy Regarding Terms
Likely to Be Proposed,
.ALLIES NOT LIKELY TO
LISTEN TO SUGGESTION
Intention of Berlin to Influence
Neutral Sentiment Rather
Then Actually End War
Raging in Europe,
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Washington, Dec 12.-Germany's
proposal for peace is regarded here as
having broken the chains which for
months have restrained the United
States, as well as other neutrals, from
making offers of mediation.
Now that one set Of belligerents has
signified its willingness to discuss
peace terms-a condition often reit-
Grated as necessary to any action by
President Wilson-there are indlca-
tions that when the United States,
acting as the intermediary, transmits
the German proposal, it may accom-
pany its action by some steps to
throw the influence Of the United
states into the balance for at least
constellation, however preliminary
of the terms on which a lasting peace
might be brought to the world
League of Nations Probable,
Some ranking officials of the Amer
lean government believe a league OF
nations, such as President Wilson has
suggested. must he the outcome and 1t
could not be perfected without the
participation of the United States.
Whether the United states will
transmit the German proposal with
out any comment whatever, or accom-
pany it with some formal or Informal
expression, will not be decided until
the note delivered to American Charge
Grew in Berlin reaches President
Wilson's hands. probably tomorrow.
There were indications that Presi-
dent Wilson might find some way TO
express the solemn and earnest wish
of the United States for a careful con-
sideration of the suggestion Of peace,
even before the entente governments
have made known their attitude to-
ward the German proposal. This, 1t
was pointed out, would necessarily
be done in such a delicate and ultra
confidential way that it never would
be known publicly should the allies
decline the offer. This course was
said to be absolutely necessary so as
to leave the United States free ana
unembarrassed to act when an accept
able peace offer comes.
VIII Sound Entente Allies.
Regardless Of whether President
Wilson decides TO accompany the Ger
man proposal with any word, it was
said tonight he unquestionably would
take steps to learn the attitude of the
entente allies toward the peace move
and possibly might send to Europe
his personal friend and adviser, Col
E. NJ House.
None of the official dispatches had
arrived today The governments first
information was conveyed in the As
sociated Press dispatches from Berlin.
President Wilson was said 20 be
deeply interested, but reserving com
ment" Secretary Lansing maintained
a similar attitude. The cabinet dis
cussed the development at its regular
Tuesday meeting, but the situation
was described by members as so OBJ
viously delicate that no announcement
could be made.
Absence Of Terms Disappointing.
The absence of any specific terms
for peace in the note, or in the Ger
man chancellor's speech, was in a
measure a disappointment to those
who expected some concrete express
sion of a basis on which negotiations
might begin. The German embassy,
however, is in possession Of advlces
which outline in a general way what
"a Aift1DU1 81
of the entente powers, through their
means Of being supplied with infor-
nation, believe they have a general
idea Of what terms the central pow
ors are willing to advance as the basis
Of discussion.
Recent dispatches to the German
embassy indicate belief that the
general terms might be in substance |
as follows:
The Probable Conditions.
"a restoration of the status quo eX-
isting before the war. This includes /
the evacuation Of Belgium and the
restoration of the occupied portions of
northern France. with the exception |
of AIsacc and Lorraine. No author /
iycd expression was obtafnablc from /,
the embassy az 10 whether conditions |
would he attached 10 the restoration |
OF Belgium and French territory, hut |
il was understood that the German
idct. was To make provision for the /
future rEutrality of Belgium and !
probably propose defOrtificati0n' par I
ticularly of the city of Antwerp. IL
was also understood that no conditions /
70 economic control Of the
mineral lands Of northern France (
would IN likely asked. All Gcrmany's /
N,st colonies she expects 20 he nc ,
turned Her possessio ions IN thr Pucific.