The Topeka state journal., 1916-11-20
GERMANY TAKES
LITTLE STOCK IN
TALK OF PEACE
Officials Are Too Busy Trying
to Whip the Enemy.
Common People, However, Are
Interested in the RumOrs.
NEUTRALS ARE IMPRESSED
Washington Believes Wilson
May Intercede Soon.
Temporary Armistice May Be
Asked by President.
Common People, However, Are
Interested in the RumOrs.
NEUTRALS ARE IMPRESSED
Washington Believes Wilson
May Intercede Soon.

Berlin, Nov 2O.-The German pub
lie regards skeptically so far as
the immediate present is con-
Switzerland and London, that
President Wilson may soon take
some kind of steps for peace The
government itself is having nothing 10
do with the peace talk nor is the
army. The army is concentrating its
efforts toward winning. The general
attitude toward American Ambassador
Gerard is changing. He will probably
find himself more popular when he
returns than he was six months ago.
There is a seemingly well founded re-
port here that before Gerard depart
ed, officials asked him to return, even
in the event of President Wilson's de-
feat, and remain as long as possible.
But as far as the general public is
concerned the reports of peace steps
are causing universal discussion.
Want Permanent Peace.
The growth of sentiment for an in
ternational agreement to prevent 9TH
er wars is evidenced by efforts of Ger
man newspapers to obtain from Isaac
Wolf, president of the American.
Chamber of Commerce, information
and ideas as to the American League
to Enforce Peace.
The newspaper Germania and its
sister conservative organ, the RACES
Zeitung, both say that Wilson should
represent public sentiment. or the off,
cial viewpoint.
The Germania article declared that
if Sir Edward Grey, for England
Chancellor Bethmann-H -Hoilweg, for
GERMANY and President Wilson really
want universal peace after the war;
now is the time to get together
With all this discussion of peace,
Germany is a unit in casting ASIDE
anv fears for defeat Everyone de-
iG 'cOnSldoTaDlc
punch' left-and the success OF the
Rumanian offensive and the German
U-boat cruiser warfare is particular
ly cited.
Washington Impressed.
Washington, Nov. 20--The serious
discussion of peace prospects in bel
Hgerent countries has made a pro-
found impression upon administrator
and diplomatic circles mere. Ihe IN
timations from European capitals tnat
President Wilson has peace move
ment under way were Interpreted here
to mean that the diplomats and con-
sular officers of the United States are
sounding out opinion abroad, among
the peoples as well as the govern
ments of the fighting nations
There has been a strong belief mere
/ for several weeks that President Will
son hoped to make visible effort to-
| ward peace in Europe as soon as the
Mexican situation had been composed
to the point of reasonable certainty
| that this country would not nave TO go
| to war with Mexico.
| The report has gained strength or
/ late from the general belief that all
/ the belligerent powers are near the
point where further restraint of in
ternational law may not hold them IN
| check Great Britain, by usurping
/ arbitrarily absolute control of the sea,
defying the United States we'll as
| less powerful neutrals and imposing
what condition she will upon neu-
| trails enga ged in foreign commerce, is
expected to take final step unless
| she is given pause.
Would Involve q. S.
That step in the opinion of many
| is to attempt to involve the United
| States in war by tempting Germany
to violate her pledge to this country.
| Germany. it is declared, has consist
| emily complied with her promises to
| the United States as expressed in the
| Sussex note. In that same note, Ger
many complained of Great Britain be-
! ing permitted to violate law at will
with only Intellectual protests from
| the United States But it is believed
| Germany is now a more formidable
| menace to the security of England
than she has been since the war be-
| gan It is not thought that she will
break her promise to the United
! States. but it is considered certain
that She will make terrific, tho wholly
legal use of her underwater craft
| against Englands commerce.
| Diplomats will not discuss what the
near future may have in store for III ,
world, but those from neutral coun-
tries almost without exception look 10
| President Wilson to set on foot soon Il
movement that will give the belliger-
ents an opportunity, without loss of
prestige to any, to discuss possible
| peace terms.
| There are several ways suggested
! for the president to make the mo-
mentous suggestion out the two re-
/ ceiving the most consideration OF dip
| lomats are said to be:
Likely Methods.
First A proposal for armistice
/ of a temporary character. for the pur-
pose of permitting the representatives
! of the several belligerents to meet at
some neutral capital, preferably The
Hague to discuss terms upon which q
! definitive peace may be. concluded
Second A renewal of the tender of
] the good offices of the United States.
The first plan is held by diploma
lists to be the more likely as well as
/ the one which would receive the best
/ consideration of the belligerents.
AAU00NkIC tn cAMAHA