The Mena weekly star., 1916-12-14
ASKED UNITED STATES, SPAIN AND SWITZERLAND TO PRE-
 SENT HER PROPOSALS.
NOT PROBABLE TERMS
 WILL BE ACCEPTED
Movement Intended to Throw Re- sponSibility of War Continuance on Germany's Enemies-COuld
 Fight for Ten Years.


 Berlin, Dec. i2.-Germany and her allies this morning proposed to en- ter forthwith into peace negotia- tions.
 The proposition which they will bring forward is, according to Chancellor Bethmann-H Hollweg, ap- propriate for the establishment of lasting peace.
 The Austrian. Turkish and Bull garian governments are making proposals similar to that of Ger many, and these proposals, all of them, have been transmitted to the vatican.
 The following announcement was given out today by the semi-ol1icial Overseas News Agency:
 Chancellor von Bethmann- Holl- weg this morning received one after another representatives of the Unit ed States, Spain and Switzerland, that is of the states protecting the German interests in the hostile | foreign countries.
 The chancellor presented to them note and asked them to bring it to tine attention of the hostile gov ernments.
 line note will be read today in the Reichstag
 Tn the note the four allies, the Central Powers, propose to enter Forthwith into peace negotiations"
 Later, the German government issued a statement confirming the above regarding the proposal to en- ter forthwith into peace negotia- ions. and that her allies, Austria, Turkey and Bulgaria, likewise have decided to act i'll similar manner
 Chancellor von Bethmann- Holl- wegs note, which he presented to the representatives of the United States, Spain and Switzerland later was read in the reichstag, and it stated the purpose Of the Central ! Powers to enter on negotiations which they believe will be appropri- ale for the establishment of a last ing peace.
 The governments of Berlin Vii enna. Constantinople and Sofia transmitted identical notes to the vatican and to all the neutral pow CTS
 Chancellor von Bethmann-Holl- wegs speech in the reichstag, as reported by the Overeas News Agen- cy. was in part:
 Conscious of our responsibility before God, before our own nations and before humanity we have pro- posed to the hostile powers to enter on peace negotiations.
 Rumania entered the war in or der to roil up the German positions in the east and those of Germany's allies.
 At the same time the offensive on the Somme had as it's object the piercing of the German front, and the renewed Italian attacks were in tended to paralyze Austria-Hun- gary.
 The situation was serious, but with Gods help, our troops shaped conditions so as to glvC Us security more complete than ever.
 We are stronger than etpr. Our safety is beyond question.
 The chancellor told Llr reichstag that the peace proposals had for their object a guarantee of the eX- istence, of the honor, of the liberty and of the evolution f the four allied (Central) powers.
 Proposes to Restore Belgium. Washington, Dec. t2.-Advices from Berlin received at the German embassy here this morning indi- cate that Germany will propose the complete restoration of the cap tured portions of France and Bel gium in return for Germanys colo nies.
 The United States represents Aus tria and Germany in Belgium France. Great Britain, Japan, Rus sia. Serbia and Rumania, and re- presents Turkey in France, Great Britain and Japan.
 It is believed here that the peace offer at this time was made with the expectation of making the terms acceptable to England's all lies. who might bring pressure to- bear that would cause her to stop fighting.
 The recent death of Emperor Franz-Joseph and the succession of Emperor Charles also was thought to be a possible factor. Ig uyae indicated final tha cpn1ral