The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-12-26

New York, Dec. >26--omcials at Washington indicated their belief to- day that the outlook for peace is more favorableg < than sat Any time since Presidents wilson forswaraeds his request that air the belhgelants state the terms on. which they arc willing to cease warfafe. ts4
 They think the almost +uraniinous support of neutrals. throughout the world will produce beneficial results, and it is believed this support will be given soon.
 A number of officials pointed to the faft that Switzerland, in it's note to cast the seed for; A& international NleAgne sfO enforce peace. This was ingdfcatAds by the expressed willing ness to assist in establishing "the founda4ion for a beneficial co-opera- tion of sthe people" This is regard. ed hereSas the most Important fea< ttrs of HhH Swiss note
 it wal SHointed-s out in some quar- tAs thaAT the government of >Switzer- lahd undb bdbted1y beIlstsss the United / States virtually is committed to the formation of such a league
 G Expect Others to Act Soon.
 "A large number of cableg-ams came to thes White House yesterday from Holland, Sweden and Norway Thahe were transmitted by organi- zat1ons and individuals All praise the President fat his position, proffer whatever assistance can be given, and intimate that their own govern ments will take similar steps
 Officials believe from the words. of encouragement pouring i'm that many if not zaNszthes European nations,t will give formal indOrsement of the peace plan within 2 week. It is predicted that Hollapd will be certain to take such action, and, 1t is rumored here that Spain' also may act.
 All the neutral diplomats in this city expressed utmost interest in the advanced step taken by Switzerland. So much enthusiasm was aroused that prophecies, were made that many of the American republics will send peace ste1egrams. Industries, in sev- eral Latin American countries have been seriously affected by the present conflict
 In regard to a league to enforce peace lt is predicted that the official suggestion of American participation ins such league would provoke 8 storm in Congress The Presidents s first stdp would be to go before Con- gress and acquaint it with the situa- ton, outlining in detail his own opin- ions and submitting recommendations
 These troubles, however, will not come until long after the war is end ed, for it Is pointed out that league tos enforce psacs caInanpt m be formed until lnarmony has Been restored among aA nations. The final attitude of the President undoubtedly will de- pend dn the situation >as it then ex- ists. " For Two Conferences.
 Sources close to the German Em- bassy pointed out new phase of the situation notsa heretofore taken into consideration. Two conferences must be held to dispose of questions aris- ing from the present war. One con- ference would arrange international boundaries and settle kindred prob 1erns. A second must discuss .arma- ment, a league to Nenforce peace and similar subjectss This means that President Wilson's interest in the af- fairs of small nations will be consid- cred solely by the belligerents. Neu- tral nations will have nothing what ever to say regarding the status of Belgium, Poland and other divisions of territory. .s4.
 Those giving the German viewpoint declare this is the ideal, time for all neutraIs to come in and support the President.
 Tine same officials cannot under stand why the allies are holding back ins accepting a, proposal for a confer ence as all. they need do is walk in and out again if conditions do not suit the1n.~.~---.....-+yff,s :
 Economically Sound,
 Regarding economic conditions in Germany and tic territory controlled by the central powers, it is declared that they are Better now than at any periodS since the war began. r
 1t was pointed out that when Chan cellor von -Hollweg first made a suggestion that Germany was pHepared to discuss peace, officials of tlfNx Entente insisted that the allied blockade nearly had brought the Teu- tons to their, knees and they were being slowly starved. Similar state ments were made when peace talk developed before the Christmas of 1915.
 This, talk oef the. central powers being on the verge of collapse eco- npmically is pure rot" said a high Teutonic authority. "The crops, were excellent this year and a greatly. in- creased area was producing, for you must remember that we had 175, 900 square miles of Russian territory. nn- der our control, vast area of which Is in. the heart of Europes grain. producing ,Gegion. ss-5f> 4s ;.
 sThose, awh9 think Gegmany has urged a peace conference because. she and her allies are about to starve or run out of any of the essentials for carrying on the war were never more mistaken. in their lives. A glance at the map ought to be convincing to an unprejudiced and thoughtful person. TO begin with. the Teutonic armies in Rumania captured many bushels of wheat harvested last year already loaded in cars and consigned to the allies. They also captured. vast quan- titles of this years crop and other stores of great value.
 Germany will not oblige her ene- mics by collapsing for lack of food stuffs and other supplies required for the maintenance of her civilian pop ulation and the prosecution of the war, should the peace offers be re-