The Sentinel=record., 1916-12-13
CENTRAL POWERS WILLING ID
 ENTER INTO PEACE NEGOTIATIONS

pany It's acton by some steps, neceS. sarily delicate, to throw the influence of the United States into the balance fos at least a consideration however preliminary. of the terms on which q lasting peace might be brought to the world Some ranking officials of the American government believe a lea gue of nations such as President Wi.- son has suggested must be the out come, and it could not be perfected without tue participation of the Unit ed States
 Whether the United States will transmit the German proposal without any comment whatever, or accompany
 it with some formal or informal ex- pression, will not be finally decided until the note delivered to American Charge Grew in Berlin reaches Pres .idelt Wilson's hands, probably tomor- row.
 There were indications tonight that President Wilson might find some way to express the solemn and ear nest wish of the United States for a carefu, consideration of the sugges- ton of peace, even before the entente governments have made known their attitude toward the German proposal This, it was pointed out, would neces- sarily be done in such a delicate and ultra-COnfidential way that it never would be publicly known should the allies decline the offer. This course so as to leave the United States free and unembarrassed to act when an ac- ceptable peace offer comes.
 Regardless of whether President Wilson decided to accompany the German proposal with any word it was said tonight he ulquestionably would take steps to learn the attitude of the entente allies toward the peace move and possibly might again send to Europe his personal friend and 1- wiser, Colonel E. NJ. House.
 None of the official dispatches had arrived tonight. The government s first information was contained in the Associated Press dispatches from Der in. President Wilson was said to be deeply interested, but reservine comment. Secretary Lansing main tained d similar attitude The cabi- net discussed the development at its regular meeting, but the situation was described by members as so obviously delicate that no announcement coJd be made
 The absence Of any specific terms for peace in the note or il the Ger man chancelor's speech was in a measure a disappointment to those who expected some concrete exp:es- sion of a basis on which negotiations might begin. The German embassy, however, is in possession of advices which outline in a general way what Germany expects and the diplomats Of the entente powers, through their means of being supplied with intorma. ton, believe that they have a genera idea of what terms the central pow CTS are willing 10 advance as the basis for discussion
 Recent dispatches to the German embassy covering a wide range of sub iects indicate a belief that the general terms might be in substance as io.- lows:
 A restoration Of the status quo existing before the war. This includes the evacuation Of Belgium and the restoration of the occupied portions Of northern France with the eXcep- ton of AisaceLorraine No authoriz- cd expression was Obtainable from the embassy as to whether conditions would be attached to the restoration of Belgium and French territory, but it was understood that the German idea was to make provision for the iu. ture neutrality of Regium and pro- bably propose dcfortification. parti- CT arly of the city of Antwerp. It was also understood that no condi tions amounting to economic control of the mineral lands of northern France would be likely 10 be aske1. All Germany's lost colonies she eX- poets to be returned. Her possessions in the Pacific however, are not a sub iect of great concern and the Ber'in government is understood to be ready to Telinquish the claim on Kiaucheau.
 The security of Turkey in posses- sion of Constantinople. probably would be insisted upon by the central powers as well as the restoration of Albania.
 The establismment of independent kingdoms in Lithuania and Poland woNld be one Of the factors in the German proposal although that part of Poland possessed by Germany at the outbreak of the war would not he included
 What adjustment would be made to cover the Trention region between Austria and Italy or any provisions affecting Eeypt the Suel canal. ,Sfeso. potamia or the gateways of copfrol yo the Indian hemisphere are e1Iot made CONTINUED ON PA& SEVEN