The Topeka state journal., 1916-12-27
Consider TeutOnic Reply to
President Wilson InSincere.
Opens Way for Entente to An
nOunce War Aims.
WASHINGTON IS PESSIMISTIC
But Wilson Believes "DOOr Is
Not Yet ClOsed."
President as Potential Mediator
Will Pursue Effort.

London, Dec a7.-The allies GER
tainly will not accept Germany's pro-
posal in her note to America for an
immediate peace conference. That
was entirely clear today.
But the Teutonic reply to President
Wilson's note was hailed here as af-
fording splendid opportunity for
England and her allies to set befors
the world a statement which would
concretely epitomiZe the ideals and
aims of the entente powers in the war
By her lack of siucere responsive
ness and the inconclusive nature of her
reply, England holds Germany is self
convicted of lack of sincerity in her
peace proffers. Strong influences
were at work today urging that Great
Britain make this lnSincerity more
striking by such a statement of the
entente's fighting principles.
See Real Desire for Peace.
The British public was impressed by
the fact that despite what was termed
a lack of sincerity in moving for
real peace, the suggestions in Ger
many's reply nevertheless reveal an
overweening desire for peace. England
attributes this anxiety for cessation of
war to Germany's realization of he-
waning strength and her desire to
make peace now, when she is yet
strong. From now on, Britons believe,
waxing stronger while she grows
weaker.
Will Keep on Trying.
Washington, Dec. 27.-Despite a
general feeling of hopelessness among
government heads over prospects for
peace, in the light of Germany's latest
communication, men closest to Pres1-
dent Wilson believed today he will
strive to the utmost to prevent the sit
ua.ion getting beyond his grasp.
Two reasons, they said, viii actuate
him-namely:
sire. if possible, to avoid having to
put thru his Sussex note threat to
break relations with Germany should
she overstep her submarine pledges.
Officials made no secret of their
pessimism over the proba BILE allied re-
lection of the German proposal for Il
round table conference.
Must Include World Peace.
This was the more emphatic be-
cause Germany does not propose now
to link the idea of a world peace guar
antee with the round table session ap-
parently. The allies want such a
theme included.
Men in touch with Wilson, hosv-
ever, said the door is not closed" and
that while the allies may throw down
the German conference idea hard
Wilson still can move again. especial
ly with the backing of neutrals. VIII
sons friends held he has placed him
self in the position of at least a poten-
tial mediator and hence cannot quit
now unless his ideas are thrown down
hard and fast.
While the idea of obtaining peace
is uppermost in administration minds,
there is among the inner circle a pro-
found idea that a break with Germany
is inevitable if present peace proposals
fail utterly.
U. S.-Germany Relations Involved.
In fact, one of the highest officials
stated today that present plans call
for no more note writing to Germany.
He added, If the Marina, Arabia and
other cases develop clear cut violation
of German pledges in the Sussex case,
or if Germany starts a new submarine
campaign in case peace fails, then a
| break in relations can he the only
answer.