Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-12-13
League of Nations?

lean government believe a league Of
nations such as President Wilson has
! suggested must be the outcome and it
could not be perfected without the
participation Of the United States.
Whether the United States will
transmit the German proposal without
any comment whatever, or accompany
it with some formal or informal ex-
preston, will not be finally decided
until the note delivered to American
Charge Grew in Berlin reaches Presi-
dent Wilson'S hands, probably tomor-
row.
Possible Expression
There were indications tonight that
President Wilson might find some way
to express the solemn and earnest
wish of the United States for a care
full consideration of the suggestion of
peace, even before the Entente gov
ernments have made known their at
titude toward the German proposal.
This, it was pointed out, would neces-
sarily be done in such a delicate and
ultra confidential way that it never
would be publicly known should the
Allies decline the offer. This course
was said to be absolutely necessary
so as to leave the United States free
and unembarrassed to act when an
acceptable peace offer comes.
Regardless of whether President
Wilson decides to accompany the Ger
man proposal with any word, it was
said tonight that he unquestionably
would take steps to learn the attitude
of the Entente Allies toward the peace
move and possibly might send to Eu-
rope his personal friend and advisor,
Colonel E. M. House.
None of the official dispatches had
arrived tonight The governments first
information was conveyed in The AS
ISOLATED Press dispatches from Berlin.
President Wilson was said to be
deeply interested by reserving COM
ment." Secretary Lansing maintained
a similar attitude. The cabinet dis
cussed the development at it's regular
Tuesday meeting but the situation was
described by members as so obviously
delicate that no announcement could
be made.
No Specific Terms
The absence of specific terms for
peace in the note, or in the German
chancellor's speech was in a measure
ed some concrete expression of a bas-
is on which negotiations might begin.
The German embassy, however. is in
possession Of advices which outline in
a general way that Germany expects
. and the diplomats of the Entente Pow
/ ers, through their means of being sup
piled with information, believe they
kshave general idea of what terms the
Central Powers are willing to adj
vance as the basis for discussion.
Step Toward Discussion
The whole German view of the peace
move is that it is a step toward a dis
cussion Of peace terms, which, If it
amounts to anything, ought to show
some definite progress early in jan
uary. There is said to be no POSSIBLE
1ty Of a peace conference being held
In tho United States. Berne and The
Hague are mentioned as most likely
places and 1t is not doubted that Count
Won Bernstorff the German ambassa-
dor here would go as one of his coun
try's representatives. His attitude was
expressed tonight in the following
statement:
am of couse extremely gratified at
the step that has been taken. 1 hone
tnat 1t Will be successful. Even if it
does not lead to peace it offers proof
tnat Germany wants peace even after
q victorious campaign and does not
desire the responsibility for further
sunering of mankind, loss of life and
property Germany wants peace and
ooes not desire conquest. I cannot
say anything about the terms"
Responsibility on AIIie.
diplomats of the Entente Allies here
regard the peace offer as having the dou.
oie purpose OF placing upon the Allies tho
responsibility for continuing the war and
OF lmprefsing upon the German people
mat they are fighting a defensive conflict
against enemies who refuse quarter. Com.
ing Immediately after the elimination ne
the triumphant Rumanian campaign. the
peace offer. Entente diplomats saw. is IN.
Tended also to impress the German people
mat they need have no lack of confidence
IN their government to continue the war.
Inc actual procedure in conveying Ger
manys proposal to her enemies. accord
ing to precedent begins with Charge
urew forwarding the note to Washington
me state department then will forward
IL to the American ambassador resident
az eHc CouHtTy 20 De addressed and he in
turn will present it to that government,
acting in the interest Of GERMANY and
her allies. The United States now renre-
sents Germany and Austria in Belgium.
France. Great Britain, Japan, Russia.
Serbia and Rumania. It represents Tur-
key in France, Great Britain and Japan,
II does not represent Bulgaria anywhere
and represents none Of the belligerents in
Italy. Portugal or Montenegro
In German quarters here it is believed
that any sort Of an armistice during a
discussion Of peace plans would be out
Of the question because this Is an eco.
nomic as well as military war It would
cause great loss Of time and in the evenv
of failure of overtures probably see tho
opening of the spring campaign without
anything accomplished Meanwhile, the
Central Powers. 1t Is said. expect all neu-
trails to encourage peace talk.
So far as has been disclosed no intima-
tons reached the American government
forecastfng the action of the Central
Powers. Today a dispatch sent from Ser
lin Sunday night to the German embassy