New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-27
Failure TO State Terms

], was everywhere agreed that the
principal sticking point was the lack
Of definite statement Of terms such
as President Wilson asked and such as
Lloyd George declared the Allies would
require If they were not 20 put their
heads in a moose with the rope end
n the hands Of the Germans" II is
not beyond the realm OF diplomacy.
however, TO find a way 20 bridge that
difficulty, and Germany's failure is not
regarded as Il block 20 the negotia-
tions, although il makes them exceed
ingly difficult
Germany's declaration that she re-
CARDS the work Of securing the world
against future wars as a work TO be
taken up after the present conflict is
ended was regarded with diversity
Of opinion.
Officials who turned back and COM
pared the statement with the phrases
OF President Wilson's note did not find
the two out OF harmony nor in dis
agreement with the Presidents public
utterances on a world league 10 pre-
serve peace. Yet there was an indie
Unable opinion abroad in official quar-
tiers that the ending Of the war and
the safeguarding OF peace Of the fut-
ure were a joint problem so insepara-
bic that one depended on the other.
Fails to Meet Allied Stand
Those taking this view referred 20
Lloyd Georges declaration that the
Allies would consider il possible 20
enter a conference only II Germany
would first openly offer PREPARATION,
restitution and guarantees"
The German reply is regarded as not
only failing to do this. but its sugges-
tiou that the work be left for the
future, il is feared, may raise a diff
cult obstacle for the Allied statesmen
TO surmount with their own people. 10
whom an absolutely durable peace has
been held out as one OF the main JUST
iications Of the war. Il also has been
Joined by the Allied statesmen with the
terms which would end the conflict.
Unpopular as such a concession might
be i'm the Entente countries, the very
enormity Of the subject, viewed in the
cold light Of diplomacy, is regarded
here as sufficient 10 require a separate
conference. but one which might prop
erly be INTERVIEWED with the peace
meeting.
Nearly Wrecked Hague Meet
One suggestion is that the confer
cnce might bind the belligerents in u
solemn declaration and pledge 10 carry
out reorganization OF the international
balance and leave the actual details,
such as demobili2ation, Limitation Of
armament. military budgets and the
like for seperate conference untram-
melted by the difficulties sure 20 sur
round the first meeting. The Difficult
ties which nearly broke up the first
Hague peace conference were recalled
to-day as an indication OF what would
confront the delegates.
Germany proposal for IAN imme-
date meeting Of delegates at neutral
place" is received as admittedly much
more specific than the original proposal
TO center forthwith into peace negotia-
tions" and 70 60 even further than
President Wilson's suggestion that
"soundings be taken
This alone is singled out by those
who regard the reply as step toward
peace. despite the repeated declarations
Of Allied statesmen that 10 was impos-
sible without a statement OF Germany's
terms. They expect these TWO posi-
tions, apparently far apart. 10 be recon-
ciled by the art of diplomacy.
Resent Coupling Of Notes
( How far the United States can or will
be concerned IN that can only be de
cided by President Wilson. Officials
assume that Germany expects the
United States 20 inform her enemies Of
her reply.
/ Two features Of the note beclouded
/ the situation slightly and caused some
concern among officials here. The FIRST
was the giving out Of the text in Der
/ DON before 10 had opportunity 10 reach
T Washington. and the other was the
connection OF the reply with the origi-
nal German peace proposal.
President Wilson went to great pains
/ in his note 10 disayow any association
o. influence with this proposal, and the
association in the German reply was
somewhat disquieting 20 officials who
foresee the probable necessity Of re-
iterating the position Of this govern
mcut
ptndp recent Of the official text