The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1916-12-12
.vylESON INTERESTED
IN TEUTONIC ACTION
ar Asseeln1Ep eaEEa,

WASHINGTON, Dec News
that Germany and its allies were
about to enter on peace negotiations
was Immediately sent to President
Wilson. Speaking for the president,
Secretary Tumu1ty said he was deep
~ interested but could make no COM
ment, at least until it was learned n
what reception the proposal received
from the Entente Allies.
The state department received It's
first information of Germany's pro
posal through the Associated Press
dispatches from which otficlals as
sumed that the Offices q the neu-
trails addressed are asked only to
transmit the proposals. This Will be
done so far as the United States is
concerned promptly on receipt Of the
official dispatches in Washington.
They will be forwarded TO all the En-
tente countries where the United
States represents the Central powers
diplomattcally.
Whether the United States would ac-I
company the transmission with any
comment or suggestion, it was in
dicated, depends entirely upon the na-I
ture= of the#prODosal and whether 1t ls#
considered likely OF consideration. II
the offer&is deemed one on which all
sides might agree the United States
probably would urge that 1t be taken
Up.
nthe transmitting OF the pre- posals,
ii was officially stated. the United
states probably would follow the prac-
tice which has been invariable so farl
as acting as a medium of communica-
ton between the hostile governments
and would not make them public. The.
terms would, OF course, be known TO
President Wilson and Secretary Lans-
ing would examine them to determine
whether they should be accompanied
BY any word from the United States.
The news was practically the only
topic OF discussion among the mem
bers of Congress as they assembled Tor
the days session. "a regular cabinet
meeting was scheduled for this after
noon Mt the White House and there was
no doubt it would be discussed there.
The foreign embassies received their
first information OF the event through
Associated Press dispatches. On@eyeery
hand the discussion turned to What
had moved Germany and its allies TO
make their proposals at this time Al
though for many weeks there nave
been persistent and officially denied re-
ports that some peace proposal as
A about to be made by President WI son
there was no open indication that the
Central powers themselves were ABOUT
to make one. Generally the announce
ment was a distinct surprise through
official and dirlomat!c circles.
One prevailing opinion was that
the Germanic allies had brought
about their peace offer at this time
with the expectation of making terms
which might be acceptable to the al
lies OF England and in effect might
possibly cause the British government
to yield to the pressure Of the nations
f1ghting with It. In this connection.
the recent cr!Efs IN Russia, IN which
the Duma interfnred to prevent the
negotiations of a sen9rnte peacs VI III
Germany. wa reca1lel rs an ind!ca-
tion OF what the German fore En Of
fee might be looking forward 70 in
peace negotiations. 1T has been gen.
orally acknowledged IA Entente Al
lied circles that efforts would be
made by Germany to conclude peace
separately with its enemies but SO far
all5the Entente ma tions have reiterat-
ed their intentions to adhere to their
agreement made early IN the war lot
TO make separate peace. The re-
cent death of the Austrian emperor.
Francis Joseph, and the succession