The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1916-12-29
KAISER EvADES
WILSON'S OFFER
Reply to Note Urges Conference
Of BeIIigerentS.
LEAVES PRESIDENT OUT OF IT

Peace Hopes Are Again Dashed by
Refusal to Submit Terms to u. S.
Executive-RepIy Praises Spirit in
Which Wilson Acted-Sane Neu-
trails Hopeful.
WASHINGTON, D. C. = Hope for
peace in Europe is badly dashed-but
not utterly destroyed-by Germany's
fiat refusal to satisfy President Will
sons demand for peace terms.
On the surface of the troubled diplo
matte seas the outlook for peace was
black, but administration officials
strained their eyes to discern some
ray of light in the situation. There
were two differing views of tine effect
of the German note on the neutral
efforts toward peace. Administration
officials while refusing to discuss the
possibilities, were clearly pessllnistic
They took the view that Germany by
insisting on her demand for an imme-
date meeting for belligerent states re-
jected the Presidents proposal that
both groups of belligerents set forth
their terms. This, the state depart
ment believes, takes the entire matter
out of the Presidents hands at least
so far as further initiative efforts are
concerned. 1t places squarelv before
the entente powers Germany's in
sistence on an untrammelled consid-
GRAFTON of terms in conference.
Neutral Diplomats Not Down Cast.
Neutral diplomatic circles did not
entire.y share the pessimism of the
administration. They believed that
Germany's note would not halt the
concerted action among the neutral
nations in endorsement of the Presi-
dents peace program, and they insist
ed that ali hope for peace should not
be abandoned until all of the pressure
of concerted neutral action Rad been
brought to bear. Several neutral rep
resentatives here declared that Ger
many in her note went as far as she
could and asserted that the peace
move would be continued.
Publicity is Surprise to u. S.
WASHINGTON, D. C.-Offical here
are surprised that Germany answer
to President Wilson's peace note was
given out in Berlin before it reached
this country in official forr1. They
point out that in sending his note
President Wilson allowed two days
between the time of it's dispatch and
of its being made public, that il might
first reach the German COVE: nment.
Suggests Immediate Conference.
BERLIN Germany and her
allies-Austria-H Bulgaria and
Photographed to the note Of Presi-
dent Wilson, in which he asked that
the belligerent nations state the aims
for which they were fighting.
The proposal is made by the cen
trail powers that a conference of the
delegates of all the belligerents be
held Immediately in a neutral city.
The task of preventing future wars.
the official statement says, can be be-
gun only after the end of the present
struggle.
Text of Reply.
The reply reads:
1.-The high-minded suggestion made
by the President of the United States
of America in order to create d basis
for the establishment of g lasting
peace has been received and consider
ed by the imperial government in the
friendly spirit which was expressed
in the Presidents communication.
1.-THE President points out that
which he has at heart and leaves open
the choice of road.
To the imperial government an i'm
mediate exchange of views seems to
be the most appropriate road IN order
to reach the desired result.
1T begs, therefore, in the sense of
the declaration made on Dec. IL,
where it offered a hand for peace ne
gotiations, to propose an immediate
meeting of the delegates of the bel
hgerent states, at neutral pace.
The imperial government is also
of the opinion that the great work of
preventing further wars can be begun
only after the end of the present
struggle of the nations.
1T will, when this moment shall
have come, be ready with pleasure to
collaborate entirely with the United
States in this exalted task"
The answer of the central powers
concludes with the usual diplomatic
terms of politeness.