Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-12-15

complicated nature, in the peace co
The details were made public in a
speech by DR.. Won Bethmann-Holl-
veg, the German imperial chancellor,
in the reichstag today, the proposals,
which express the purpose of the
central powers ''to enter forthwith
on peace negotiations" are contained
in identical notes from Germany,
Austria-Hungary, Turkey and Bull
garia to the representatives of the
neutral powers protecting the inter-
ests of the Teutonic allies in hostile
countries.
These diplomatists-in the case of
Germany the representatives Of the
United States. Spain and Switzerland
are asked TO bring the note to the atten-
ton of the nations at war with the CEN
trail powers.
The notes also have been transmitted
to the vatican and all neutral ma
tions.
Dispatches to the German embassy,
telling OF the chancellor's action, ar
rived soon after the news dispatch. The
terms for the restoration Of Belgium and
portions OF France, gave no indication SO
far as is know, OF stipulations such as
generally have been expected by the
allies. although they did not absolutely
dispose of their possibility.
1t was indicated that while the Ger
man allies might not entirely expect that
the proposals would cause a peace con-
ference, they were not without hope that
they would, and they were hopeful ut
least that they would be the means OF
getting the belligerents together In some
manner to discuss the situation, and this,
IL vas expected, would lead TO a basis
for peace.
In German quarters. the crisis in tho
British cabinet, the coming of winter,
and the lull in the fighting are given as
reasons for making the peace proposals
at thistime.
1t is declared that the successes Of the
Teutonic arms in Rumania should con-
vince the allied powers that the offer is
not made because OF any military weak
ness. BY making the offer now, IL Is
said, the German powers feel that all
sides may be saved the preparations for
the spring campaign.
Should the offer be declined, it is said
here, il will be made again next. fall
and IL necessary the fall after that.
Another object, It is explained by Ger
man diplomats, is to establish whether
the entente allies are willing to make
peace or whether il is their intention
TO crush Germany and dismember her.
Germany, they say, is convinced Of the
ability and strength OF her enemies to
continue the war for ten years. if neces-
sary, and is no less confidence of her
own ability TO do so.
Among the entente diplomats here,
Germany's offer was pronounced to be of
double purpose and unlikely of accept
ance. The first purpose, they declare. is
TO affect the world opinion of neutrals
and place upon the entente powers tho
RESPONSIBILITY for continuing the war
The second. they declare, is for the in
ternal effect in Germany, and to give evil
dence to the people that the government
was ready to end the war, but was forced
TO continue by her enemies.
The peace offer, the ally diplomats also
say. his been timed to follow the fall Of
Bucharest, which is relied upon to con-
vince the people that they should lack
no confidence in the ability Of the gov
eminent to continue the war.
The Teutonic advance in eastern Wal
lachia is continuing with the Rumanians
apparently maneuvering their forces I'M
der the steady. pressure with q view to
taking up q defensive line along the
Buzeu river near the southern bounda'
~ of their northern province of Molda-
via. Petrograd reports the failure Of
Teutonic attacks along the Moldavian
frontier and in certain Wallachian sec
tors, notably northeast of PlOeschti
where the Austro-German forces are
pressing towards the Buzeu.
New activity has been developed by
the Germans on the Franco-Bel gian
front They attacked last evening on
the edge of Des Loges wood, south OF
the Somme sector. but according TO
Paris were checked and driven out Of
portions of advanced positions which
they had occupied.
The British foreign office under the
new foreign secretary, A. j. Balfour. is
occupying itself with the Greek prob
lem, regarding which announcement was
made yesterday that steps were being
taken in an effort to reach n very radi-
cal solution.