The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-03-22
Report of Peace Move by Ger
many Declared Drawn
from Inference
STATE DEPARTMENT
ISSUES STATEMENT
Officials Resentful at the Publication of
Report, Which Damages If not De-
stroys Any Prospects of Early Media
tion If They Existed.

Report winch damages II not De- 4
stroys ANY Prospects of Early Media !
tion If They Existed.
WASHINGTON, March 22.-Presi-
dent Wilson was represented at the
White House today as being resent
| ful of the publication of stories that
! Ambassador Gerard had reported Ger
peace. The published reports were
characterized as being based on infer
ences. This statement was issued:
| President Wilson through Secre-
6ary Tumulty, today authorized de-
NAL of the stories appearing in pa
pers to the effect that the purpose of
Ambassador Gerard remaining in Ber-
lin was TO await Germany s pro-
posals for peace. There is no justif-
cation for that inference being
| drawn -
The unofficial reports reaching here
| today said the ambassador actually
had postponed his vacation, but gave
no reason.
The state department today issued
the following statement 'EAny state
ment that the German government had
intImated that it desired this govern
ment to act as mediator in the peace
negotiations or had in any way sug-
; gested formally or informally that
this government should take the mat
ter up with other powers is absolu-
tely without foundation and the state
department has no information that
i, Germany is preparing to make def
mite move in the direction of peace. -
State department officials declared
they were resentful at the publication
nE IL =
there were any prospect of mediation
, it would be damaged if not destroyed
The story which aroused the Cffi-
cials was in part as follows:
, Indications that Germany is prepar-
ing TO make definite movement in the
| direction of peace have been given to
j this government by James w. Gerard,
the American ambassador at Berlin.
One official despatch received here from
|, Mr.. Gerard tells of an interview he
g had with Herr Won Bethmann-H II ollweg,
the imperial chancellor. While it is
understood that what was said by the
chancellor resembled the previous
statements from high German officials
that the imperial government stood
? ready to make peace at any time, the
impression has been obtained that Ger
many has reached the point where she
- is considering the advisability of TAX
ing the initiative in proposing an end
ing of hostilities.
Ambassador Gerard apparently was
so impressed with what was said To
IN him that he has decided not to leave
i Berlin on a vacation. 1t should be ex
q. planned that heretofore when pressed
in cabled messages by Secretary Ian
If sing to take rest, Mr.. Gerard indi
r. Gated that he did not care to go away
ri from the German capital. Very re
v Gently, in response to an inquiry from
II Mr.. Lansing, he promised to avail him
NJ self of the offer of leave of absence
but said he did not desire to leave Ber
N lin at this time. 1t now seems to bt
clear that even this conditional prom
n, ise has been withdrawn by Mr.. Gerard
40 IN view of the prospect that he may
,e be called within a comparatively shor
time to exercise whatever influence h,
70 may possess to help along the cause o.
~ peace.
< There is no warrant, however, fo
:, reports that this government has beer
=: asked by Germany to use its good of
~ fees in the direction of bringing peac
81 = to Europe. While officials are pro
70 foundly reticent as to what informa
tion has been received from Mr.. Gerar,
-, with regard to peace prospects,
en- seems to be certain that not even
HlnC InaJ PRESIDENT wilson would ID
Iy acceptable as the peacemaker has com
to Washington from Berlin.
On the contrary, it is well under
stood generally that the feeling agains
the United States among Germans
so strong that only an unwise govern
ke ment would endeavor to call on thi
country to take the initiative in sue
move. But there appears to be
H., basis for the expectation that othe
le- neutral nations may be approached i
he this connection, and, while the III
ed popularity of the United States in Gel
sh many will serve as a bar TO any in
in mediate American participation in
in peace movement, ultimately Presider
ng Wilson may be invited to take han
as in the attempt at settlement.
in Heretofore the inspired German sus
gestions with regard to terms of peac
rs. have included the restoration of Be
ire gium, the withdrawal of Germa
,al forces from Northern France. an al
on tonomous government for Poland, pr
no lection of German interests in I'll
m Near East, the adjustment of the Ba
oil kan problem so as to remove the dal
ON ger of Slavic dominion, possibly ii
- cession of Bessarabia by Russia
a. Austria and the restoration to Ge
he many of her colonial possessions. He
Won Bethmann- Hollweg is creditc
with having impressed upon Ambass
dor Garard that Germany IS main d
are iisire was to see that she regain h,