Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-12-27
WAY NOT CLOSED
& TO NEGOTIATIONS
srsssnt Situation One Of Contest Of
Wits Of Diplomats and Develop
snsnts Will Come sIowIy-President
Disappointed Because Of Germany's
Failure to Msst Suggestion That
TERMS BE Outlined.

Y had not been received mere IN oI1icid'
form early today, and officials were re-
serving their comment until they had
Opportunity to study it.
Despite the disappointment because
Germany had not acceded to the pres
idents suggestion and laid down her
z terms, the general view prevailed that
\ tie reply was another step forward In
\ peace movements because it left room
sfsr subsequent negotiations.
The United States undoubtedly is
expected by Germany to transmit the
Il sense of her reply to the entente bel-
i ligerents, and the Immediate outcome
Y depends on whether the allies will
\ modify their determination not to enter
conference before terms have been
4 laid down. 1t was pointed out that the
4 way had not ben closed for Germany
3 rosiay down terms as the, allies demand
Ins diplomatic negotiation of such
magnitude and scope officials do not
y look for results to be Immediately ap-
4 parent but expect the way to be paved
Carefully and slowly. The next move
will not be determined until after the
official text Of the reply has been re-
ceived and carefully considered. Presi-
I dent Wilson wiz discuss 1t thoroughly
with the cabinet. probably Friday.
Await Reply Of Allies.
Some officials pointed out that the
u United States could do nothing further
and could not decide on q course un-
I'll the entente allies have also replied
tos the note Their answer has been
\ f0recaet by entente diplomats here as q
courteous recDgnition of the presidents s
Il RoSes sand ideals. but probably =
stltDl f1fuSal 10 enter into conferences
without having terms advanced frst.
OnicIals acknowledged their disap
pOtnfment over Germany's failure to
reply directly to the presidents sng-
sgestion that terms be laid down, bu.
were Inclined to hold to the view that
the door to negotiations must neces-
sariIy remain open until the allies
themselves close It. There was a
careful studied attitude Of refusing to
make any statement that might be con.
sidered Official and an evident inclina-
ation to view the situation as hopefully
a. possible.
Onicial Information has been re-
ceiyed here that Sweden has addressed
peace note to the belligerents and
sent copies to neutrals urging consid-
erations Of terms for peace.
May Forward Terms Secretly.
The view persisted in Teutonic quar-
ter1 that Gerpaany's reply would be
followed by highly confidential oral
or written communication concerning
the terms upon which the central
powers are willing to make peace. The
German embassy, which has made It
clkar that these powers were not likely
to make public their terms, has re-
ceIved no official advices from Berlin
today, but information regarding the
intentions OF sthe Teutonic allies was
hardly expected.
4 Lacking official advices Teutonic
diplomats were unable to throw any
light on the manner in which terms
sbe appended confidentially to the
note when given out in Berlin. 1t was
regarded as probable they might be
conveyed to- President Wilson thru
Ambassador Gerard. In such event,
even the fact that. they had been stated
would not be disclosed. .
May Be on Way.
Reports in press dispatches from
Rome that Germany had presented to
the neutrals whose services she asked
in forwarding peace suggestions sealed
packets with its terms were the sub,
sject of most comment in diplomatic
quarters. The Rome report had it
that the packets were not to be opened
and forwarded to, the enemies unless
sthey, In reply to the note of the central
powers Of Dec. IL, specifically re-
quested the peace terms. In German
cireles here II was considered more
probable that the direct information on
the subject would be conveyed per-
.bassador Gerard.