Evening journal., 1916-05-19
germany Seems
IN MOOD NOW TO
CONSIDER Peace
If United States Takes Init
iative, Kaiser May Listen
TO Peace
DIPLOMATS believe
Time NOW OPPORTUNE
BY CARL w. ACKERMAN
United Press STAFF Correspondent.


BERLIN. Via Wireless to Tuckerton,
n. j.. May 19.-There Is feeling here
that II strong neutral. such as the
United States, undertook to negotiate
peace. It might succeed.
Diplomatic circles regard the recent
statements OF President Poincare and
Sir Edward Grey as the opening guns
in an informal discussion OF peace,
though the expressions from the AL
lied leaders. when ranged alongside
the German chancellor's recent Reich
stag speech. do not appear altogether
cOnciliatOry.
The above dispatch Is probably the
most frank discussion OF peace rumors
in circulation In European capitals
yet passed by the German censor.
No decision had been reached here as
10 whether any official reply 10 these
statements will be made public by the
German government, though II is pos
sihle this will be done. One official with
whom I talked today declared that
making peace at this stage Of tho war
would ho no more difficult than adjust
ing the recent German American sub
marine dispute. lie pointed out. how
ever, that no bclligorent can publicly
state definite terms Of peace while in
formal discussions continue with each
side making drastic statements Of what
IL intends TO accomplish as the result
Of the war.
I have Just returned from a visit
TO Holland. where I found that Dutch
men believe the English. French and
German people all desire peace. The
general impression in Holland is that
the time for a decisive victory for
either side has passed. although each
OF the belligerents may attempt a
summer offensive. The Dutch thinh
Il Is Americas duty 10 act now ant
that the time Is ripe TO bring the
beiiiEeTeuts together One diploma
said that II the peace talk now in cir
culation continues for a few month";
the belligerents will learn enough o
what each side wants to bring then
together in a peace agreement by Oc
tober.
The general impression prevails IN
Holland that Premier Asquith and
Chancellor Van Hollwes
might make peace. but that the
Ktichener-Northcliffe group in Eng
land. with President Poincare in
France, are anxious 10 continue the
war. Hollanders declare that one
reason England does not want peace
now is because she believes that Ger
man submarines cannot behave, and
that as long as the possibility OF the
United States breaking of relations
with Germany exists England would
be foolish TO make peace. The Dutch
however, regard this as only an ex-
cuse set up by that group in England
which wants a continuation OF the
war.
The Hollanders are outspoken il
their regard for America, considering
the United States their best friend
They desire that the United States
lead the way for peace. feeling tha
il is our duty TO end the bloodshed.
To my surprise, some Hollanderi
asked me when the German people
are going to start a revolution be
cause Of the food situation. Although
, meat is scarce, although the shortag'
may increase. the proposed new gov
ernment bureau TO regulate the salt
OF meat in Germany will provide live
able ratiOns and prevent food demon
strations. So far there is indication
e that any demonstrations at all equal
ing the size OF rioting are likely L
occur.