The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-12-18
Administrator View 10 That
Nothing Can Be Gained Now
by Offers
LLOYD-GEORGE'S SPEECH
MAY FORESHADOW REPLY
Hint Likely Showing What
Step by Neutrals Would Not
Be Unwelcome-N eutral
Representatives Confer

Washington. Dec. IT.-President
Wilson, it was indicated at the White
House today, Is waiting for the speech
to be delivered in the House of Com
mons by the new British prime min
lister, Mr.. LloydGeorge, before tax
Ing any further action in behalf of
peace. The next move is up to the
allies and II is the view of administra-
ton officials that nothing could be
gained by the presentation of any
suggestions or offers on the part OF
the United States government.
limitations that the German offer
to discuss peace would mt be fatty
rejected by the allies have been re-
ceived in Washington. While these
were OF an informal nature they were
sufficiently strong to convince the
President that n more opportune &C.
casion for action by this government
would in all probability be presented
after the receipt of the allied answer
to the German note.
1t was argued that if the allies were
going to give due consideration to the
German proposal nothing could be
gained now by urging them 10 do so
and, in fact. such action by the
United States might put the admins
tration in a position where II would
be more difficult to offer mediation or
suggestions for conference at a later
stage of the proceedings. This is
understood to have been the view also
OF several neutral legations and 1t was
shared to certain extent by tho
Teutonic embassies.
Speech May Foresfadow Action.
Lloyd Georges speech. which he
Is scheduled to deliver in the House
OF Commons next Tuesday, 10 expect
ed to contain a hint as to what form
OF action, II any. by neutrais would
not be unwelcome to the British gov
eminent. 1t may also foreshadow the
reply Of the allies to the peace pro-
posals. For these reasons the Presi-
dent is waiting and his action there
after will largely be guided by the
tenor of that speech.
1t was stated positively today that
the President has definite plans which
no hopes to put into effect and that
he ts optimistic regarding the pos
stbilty of some good coming from
the German offer
II Is not believed here, however.
that Mr.. Lloyd-George will deliver the
speech as early as Tuesday. When
he was too i'll to speak last Thursday
attention was called in neutral en-
bassies to the exceeding delicacy of
the situation and the prediction was
than made that II would be several
days. at least. before he would re-
cover sufficiently to outline the gov
ernments position.
Allies to BE Consulted.
No surprise was experienced today,
therefore, when the dispatches from
London indicated that the premier
had temporarily lost the use OF his
voice. The prediction was freely
hazarded that II would be a week or
ten days longer before he would re-
cover its use sufficiently to outline the
attitude OF his government regarding
the German proposals. 1t was point
ed out that England would have to
consult with her allies before she
would make known her position and
that communication in some instances
is slow and difficult.
One of the reasons that actuated
President Wilson not to make any
suggestions in transmitting the pro-
posals to the allies is stated to be the