South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-12-12
Opinion at Washington is That
Allies Are Not Ready to
End War-CalI Move
a ShreWd One.
PROPOSAL Is RESULT OF
R0UMANIAN VICTORIES
Success in the East Puts leu
tonic Allies in Position to
Demand More Favor
able Terms.
International News Service:

international News Service:
WASHINGTON, Dec. IL. - News
of the German peace proposals
created a profound impression here.
but in official circles Jnere was ut
most reluctance 10 discuss Chan
cellor Won Bethmann Hollweg's
proffer until all the information laid
before the neutral ENJOYS at Berlin
is at hand.
1t was agreed on all sides that
the veto power that means peace or
war rests entirely with Great Brit
ain.
The success or failure of the
move. accordingly is in the hands
of the new premier. Aoyd-George,
now recognized as practically Eng
lands dictator.
There was a general disposition
10 regard the peace statement Of
the German chancellor as an ex-
ceedingly shrewd step, even though
the terms laid down prove unac-
ceptable to the entente allies, il
being pointed out that it would at
least enlist widespread sympathy in
neutral countries.
Unofficial intimation that Ger
many planned a peace move reach
ed the white house in advance of
the Berlin announcement, it was
learned.
From the information in the
possession of administration officials.
it is understood that the purpose
of the German allies is TO bring
representative of the warning gov
ernments to at least the informal
discussion Of some basis for peace.
1t is not expected in Berlin, ac-
cording TO officials here, that the
. first proposals made for peace.
transmitted TO France, Great Brit
ain and Russia, will be accepted.
The ultimate real aim of the Ger
man government. some officials
said. was TO ascertain the terms ac-
ceptable to the entente allies for
basis on which to discuss peace.
Move Was Expected.
State department officials said
that it was not altogether surprising
that the peace move came from
Germany at this time. They point
ed out that the victories on the
Roumanian front spoiled the plans
Of the entente governments to carry
out their military policy of forming
ring of steel around the German
armies and forcing the nation TO
its knees.
Information that Germany in
tended to inaugUrate a peace move
was transmitted to the embassies OF
the French. Russian and British
governments.
Ambassador Jusserand of France
refused TO be seen when the infor-
nation reached the embassy. Mons.
De Jean. acting counsellor OF the
embassy, said that the embassy "did
not want 10 hear anything about it."
AT the other entente embassies
there was a distinct atmosphere Of
doubt regarding Germany's SINGER
ity Of purpose in Offering 10 enter
peace negotiations.
Await Official Word.
Administration officials here in
clined 10 believe thoroughly in the
sincerity of the move. however.
They refuse to commit themselves,
however. until official word is re-
ceived confirming press dispatches.
The recent route of the Roumanian
army. opening 10 Germany the
means OF feeding its population. it
was pointed out, puts the Teutonic
allies in a position TO demand far
more favorable terms than they
could have had the peace move been
made a few weeks ago.
The fact that the move was made
after Germany was in position 10
demand more than il could a short
time ago may influence representa-
t!ves OF the entente allies strongly
against the negotiations. officials
here fear