Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1916-12-29
5ERNSTORFF DECLARES IMPE-
RIAL GOVERNMENT is CARRY
ING OUT SUGGESTIONS D-
MADE BY WILSON.
READY TO OUTLINE TERMS
ON FIRST DAY OF MEETING
Berlin in Favor Of Two Gatherings,
First Composed Of Delegates From
BelIigerent Countries to Settle
Territorial Terms-WouId
include NeutraIs Later.


include NeutraIs Later.
Washington, Dec. 28.-Count Won
Bernstorff, the German ambassador.
returning unexpectedly from New
York, authorized the following state
ment:
Il regard the note of my govern
ment as constituting an acceptance of
everything suggested by President
Wilson in his note to the, belligerent
nations of Europe"
1t was made clear at the embassy
that Germany stands ready to make
known her terms on the first day of
any conference that may be held and
officials expressed themselves as be.
ing greatly surprised at the view pre-
vafling in some quarters here that the
Berlin government had failed to meet
the Presidents suggestions by not
setting down in the reply the terms
upon which it is willing to make
peace.
Following Wilson's Suggestion.
dent Wilson had no intention of draw
ing a public declaration concerning
terms from the Central powers On
the contrary, they think the Presi-
dents suggestion that an early &C.
casion be sought to call out from ali
the nations now at war such an avcw-
al of their respective views as to tho
terms on which the war might be con-
cluded" has been fully met by Ger
many in seeking an immediate con-
ference with her enemies.
Outline Of German Policy.
The German policy upon which the
reply to President Wilson's commune
cation is based was outlined as fol-
lows:
Germany feels that the conference
suggested by it first should be COM
posed of delegates from the belliger-
ent countries whose duty it would be
to settle territorial terms. Once these
terms are agreed upon, representatives
of the neutrals should be called in to
participate in consideration of the
questions of guarantees for the fu.
ture, In which neutrals are as vitality
concerned as belligerents. These
guarantees, in the German view, nec-
essarily would have to do with the
freedom of the seas, limited disarma-
ment, formation Of world league of
nations to enforce peace, and the es-
Enlistment Of an international court
of arbitration.
To State Terms confidentially.
Germany is said to consider that
neutral nations can have no interest
of their own in terms such as those
relating to territory.
While there were no official advices
upon the subject the view still per-
sisted in German quarters that the
note of the Central Powers might be
followed by some highly confidential,
oral or written communication to
President Wilson, in which at least
broad tentative terms might be stated.
In this connection officials noted with
interest Berlin press dispatches say
ing that Ambassador Gerard, who, as
result of his recent visit to the Unit.
cd States, is thoroughly familiar with
the views of President Wilson, had
taken lunch with Alfred Zimmerman.
the German foreign minister and prob
ably discussed the peace situation with
him.
Extremely Delicate Situation.
Just what the United States could
do towards bridging the gulf in case
the Allies hold to their opposition to
a conference is the subject of serious
discussion among officials but as yet
no concrete proposal has been advanc.
ed. It is said officially that it even
has not yet been decided whether this
country will send on to the Allies the
Teutonic reply to the Presidents note,
as embodying new suggestion, or
whether it's mere publication would be
considered sufficient. The official text
of this reply still is awaited and no
further step is expected before it ar
r1ves. The extreme delicacy of the
situation and the fear of a misstep
on the part of each group of bellig.
erents convince officials that it may
be long time before any really sub
stantial result is obtained.
West Suffers From Cold.
Spokane, Dec. 28.-Eastern Wash
ington, Idaho and Montana are sui
fering from cold wave again, with
Montana points reDOrtinr lower tenn