Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-12-13
Worried Lest Wilson Seize
Opportunity to Force
Peace.
PRESIDENT PREPARES
TO MEET SITUATION
Offer es Mediation Would Interfere
With Plans sf Entsnts AIliss-First
step May Be 10 Question Sincerity
ef Germany and Certainty That
Treaty Would Not Be Violated
Colonel House cenfsrs With Wilson.

sons course Of action in connection
with Germany's peace proposals re-
manned undecided today while he
awaited the Official proffer which the
central powers have asked the United
States to transmit to their enemies.
The impression grew that while the
presidents first situation was to safe
guard his use as q. peacemaker by SAFE
guarding any possible rejection by the
entente yowers, there was q disposi-
ton. to find some way. however deli
cate and informaI to intimate the sin
cere wish Of the United States that
some basis for discussion at least
might be reached. Many officials doubt
4 that an Indication of the temper OF the
entente governments should be avail
able before the influence Of the United
States was thrown into the balance.
ss Allies Fear Wilson Move.
I The United States by reason Of its
duni responsibility Of representing the
interests of most of the entente powers
and Of the central powers would be the
medium of communication thru which
any reply Of the entente governments
70 the central powers would be made.
Among the entente diplomats no at
tHinott was made to disguise theif ap-
sprehension that President Wilson, In
transmitting the German proposal,
mixht. make some move toward media
tion. AT all the embassies It WAS said
such m offer would interfere seriously
with the plans OF the allies. Its effects
upon the peace movements In the allied
countries also was taken into consider
xtion IN that connection. q.
The eprsstdent Cancelled AL his outside
enHaGements today, including one 60
preside over. ths annual meeting Of the
American Red Cross. and remained In
the white House, where he cQn1eExed
with Col. =. N. House. his friend and
scaose aayiserswhn made one trip to Eu-
rope to sound out peace sentiment sew
seFa1 months ago. Colonel House may
go again If the president makes move
to- accompany Germany's proposals
with suggestions of any character.
II was reiterated that until the Off
cial documents had been received for
ffxansmittal to the entente no decision
would be reached as to what the
Euited States would do further than
10 transmit them.
Msy Question Germany's Sincerity.
s In quarters close to the entente ailies
an opinion prevails that If the entente
#allies made replyr.their first course
might be to inquire What guarantees
would be given by Germany that the
terms Of peace treaty would be full
flied and that treaty would not be
violated, as, the a1lieS contend, in the
case Of Belgium.
BY making such reply, entente Dip
lomats see the responsibility of con.
tinuing the war thrown back to the
central powers.
The president has been urged by
some adviseEs to make his address to
the opening Of the conference of COVER
nors here tomorrow night the occasion
without binding himself in a definite
way,
New York. He said he had no plans
for going to Europe and would not dis
cuss the proposals of the central poMe-
Sers on the ground that the officiaI
word had not been received
See League Of Peace.
Some ranking officials of the Amer
ican government believe league of
snafi0nss snch as President Wilson has
suggested, must be the outcome, and it
could be perfected without the partici-
patton Of the United States.
whether the United States will
tFansmit the German proposal with
out any comment whatever. or accom-
panv 1t with some formal or informal
expression. will noA be finally decided
until the note delivered to American
Charge Crew In Berlin reaches Presi-
dent Wilson's hands. probably today.
There were Indications that Presi-
dent Wilson might find some way to
express. the solemn and earnest wish of
the United States for careful consid-
Grafton ofSthe suggestion Of peace, even
before the entente governments have
made known their attitude toward the
German proposal.
Not TO Become Public.
This, 1t was pointed out, would
necessarily be done In such delicate
and ultra confidential way that it never
would be publicly known should the
allies decline the offer This course
was said to be absolutely necessary 50
Is to leave the United States free and
8 iIibaf I ri assed 10 act " iiIen an accept
Able peace ofker comes.
Regardless OF whether President
Wilson decides to accompany the Ger
men proposal with -any word, 1t was
said, he unquestionably would take
steps to learn the attitude Of the en-
G tchte allies toward the peace move and
I p0ssibly might again send to Europe
his personal friend and adviser. Col.
I'm. House.
The absence Of any specific terms
{ for peace In. the note or IN the Ger
man chancellor's speech was, in a
measure, disappointment to those
no expected some concrete expression
~ 9s5ss basis ON which negotiations might
kegIn.
- German egnbassy, however, is in