The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1916-12-28
GERMANYS REPLY
ASKS CONFERENCE
Meeting Of Delegates of BeIIiger-
ents Proposed.
NO TERMS GIVEN BY BERLIN
Answer to "High-Minded Suggestion
of United States Is Handed to Am
bassador Gerard-Wilson to
Continue Peace Efforts.

Berlin, via Sayville wireless, Dec
27.-The reply of the German allies
TO the peace note of President Wilson
was given to Ambassador Gerard. II
failed to name any peace terms.
The reply was in the form of joint
note, handed to the diplomatic repre-
sentatives of the United States in vi
emma, Sofia and Constantinople, as
well as in Berlin. Announcement that
the German allies had answered the
American note was made through the
Overseas News agency.
Considers Note Friendly.
The reply states that the imperial
government considered President VIII
sons note in friendly manner, but
that ''in the opinion of the German
government that great work-the pre-
vention of future wars-can be begun
only after the end of the present strug-
gle" ls. .....s ...a.
When the time comes, says the an
swer, the German government will be
ready with pleasure to collaborate
with the United States.
The reply renews the offer made by
Chancellor Won Bethmann- Hollweg on
December q, to enter Immediately
into peace conference
The statement given out through the
Central News agency says:
''The text of the answer to President
Wilson's note was transmitted in
Berlin TO James w. Gerard, the
United States ambassador and
also in Vienna, Sofia, and CONSTANT
nople to the American representatives.
Calls Effort Hieh-Minded.
TO the imperial government an I'M
mediate exchange of views seems
the most appropriate road in order to
reach the desired result The reply
says:
THE high-minded suggestion made
by the president of the United States
Of America to create a basis for the
establishment of lasting peace has
been received and considered by the
imperial government in the friendly
spirit expressed in the presidents COM
munication.
The president points out that
which he has at heart and leaves open
the choice of the road
" 1t therefore begs, in the sense of
the declaration made ON December IL,
which offered the hand for peace ne
gotiations, to propose Immediately
meeting of the belligerent states at
some neutral place.
ALSO, the imperial government Is
of the opinion that the great work of
prevention of future wars can be be-
gun only after the present struggle of
nations. 1t will, when this moment
shall have come, be ready with pleas
ure TO collaborate entirely with the
United States at this exalted task
The answer finishes with the usual
terms Of diplomatic etiquette.
Wilson to Press Peace. ...
Washington, Dec. %. = President
Wilson does not intend to, permit his
efforts to end the war TO terminate
with the German suggestion of .sn
immediate meeting of delegates of
the belligerents at neutral place"
1t is the purpose of the president
to communicate the German reply to
the allies for their consideration.
He will convey TO Germany the re-
Spouse of the allies to his peace sug-
gestion when that response is re-
ceiyed. r.
In other words. the president in
tends to continue the negotiations,
expecting that he will be able slowly
but surely to bring the beIIigerents
TO the point where they will discuss
terms.
Doesn't Meet Wilson Views.
The German note does not in any
way meet the presidents idea. THE
president" says Mr.. Lansing, "sug-
gests that an early occasion be sought
TO call out from all the nations now
at war such an avowal of their re-
spectiye views as to the terms upon
which the war might be concluded
and the arrangements which would
he deemed satisfactory as a guaranty
against its renewal or the kindling
of any similar conflict in the future
as would make it possible frankly to
compare them"
Germany favors an Immediate ex-
change Of views" not, however, pre-
urinary 10 a conference, but during
a conference. Germany also is not
concerned so much about the pre-
vention of future wars as she is about
terminating that now In progress.
This is shown by her declaration that
"the great work of the prevention of
future wars can be begun only after
the end Of fhe present struggle of ma
tions."
The president was exceedingly anx-
ious to have the authoritative spokes-
man of each side .'avow the precise
objects which would, IL attained,
satisfy them and their people that
the war had been fought OUT