The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-12-13
If Peace Terms Are Accept
ed Hostilities Will Cease
Early In January.
LONDON OPPOSED
TO OVERTURES
United States Will Take No
Action Until Arrival of
Official Note
By ASSOCIATED PRES.

Washington, Dec. 12.-Germany's
peace proposals are regarded here as
having broken the chains which for
months restrained the United States,
as well as other neutrals, from making
offers of mediation.
Now that one set of belligerents has
signified its willingness to discuss
peace terms, there are indications that
when the United States transmits the
German proposal to the entente ma
tons, it may accompany it's action by
some steps, necessarily delicate. to
throw the influence of the United
States into the balance for at least a
consideration of the terms on which
a lasting peace may be brought to the
world
Whether the United States will
transmit the German proposal without
comment or accompany 1t with some
expression, will not be finally decided
until the formal German proposal
reaches President Wilson's hands.
probably tomorrow.
1t was indicated tonight that Pres
ident Wilson might find some way to
express Americas solemn wish for
careful consideration of peace even be-
fore the entente makes known its atti-
tude toward Germany's proposal.
This, il done, viii probably be ac-
complished in some confidential way
that it may never be publicly known
if the allies decline the offer.
1t is said tonight that the president
at any event, would try to learn the
allies attitude toward peace and may
send Col House TO Europe again.
None of the official dispatches ar
rived today and officials learned the
news from the Associated Press. Ii
was discussed at the cabinet meeting,
but officials declined TO comment. al
though disappointment was expressed
At the absence of specific peace terms
in the German note or the chancellors
speech.
The German embassy, however
made public the general outline OF
what Germany expects. as follows:
The restoration of the status quo
existing before the war, which includes
the restoration of Belgium and North
ern France.
Whether there are conditions attach.
ej to this restoration, could not be
earned. but it is understood that Ger.
many wants provisions for the neu.
trality of Belgium. amounting to de
fortification
All of Germanys lost colonies mus
be returned, but it is said Germany
may be willing. TO relInquish Kiauchau
The security of Turkey, in the pos
session of Constantinople, viii prob
ably be insisted upon. as well as tbs
restoration of Albania
The establishment OF Independent
kingdoms in Lithuania and Poland, al
by Germany at the outbreak of thu
war, will not be included.
The Balkan situation is to be decid
ed by a peace conference. what Ger
many's terms regarding the Trentin
.rand A6riatic provinces between Ital.
land Austria. or her attitude affecting
Egypt, Suez, Mesopotamia or Armenia
are not known.
If the peace move amounts 10 any
thing, it is expected to be under wa.
I early In January. There is said to b
no possibility of a conference bein
held in the United States, Berne an
The Hague being the places promi
nently spoken Of
London. Dec 12-Although offiufa
comment is unavailable, there is
strong sentiment opposed to the Ger
man peace terms tonight, Those clos
- the new government thought tn
proposals would prove entirely unac
eeptable as they give no guarantee
against German militarism. the thin
against which the entente is fighting