The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-12-26
Central Powers All
Want Conference
of Belligerents
GIVES WILSON PRAISE
Says the President Shows
Friendly Spirit and Also
Leaves Door Open.
(By Associated Pressl


BERLIN, Dec. 26.-Germany and her
allies. Austro-Hungary, Bulgaria and
Turkey, today replied to the note Of
President Wilson in which he asked
that the belligerent nations state tho
aims for which they are fighting.
The proposal is made by Central
powers that conference OF delegates
of all belligerents be held immediate4
ly in n neutral city. The task Of pre-
venting future wars the official state.
ment says can be begun only after
the end of the present struggle.
The text of Germany's answer to
President Wilson's note was trans,
mitted today to James w. Gerard, the
American ambassador. The answer
which also contains the reply Of Aus,
tria-Hungary, Bulgaria and Turkey
says: Il
THE high minded suggestion made
by tho President of the United States
of America in order to create q basis
Tor establishment of lasting peace has
been received and considered by the
Imperial government in the friendly
spirit which was expressed in the
Presidents communication.
The President points out thai
which he has at heart and leaves open
the choice of roads. 3;
ITO the Imperial government an I'm.
mediate exchange of views seems to
be the most appropriate road in-urder,
to reach desired results. II begs there.
fore in the facts of declaration made
on December II which offers hand
for peace negotiations. to propose an
immediate meeting of delegates Of
the bclligerent states at a neutral
place.
"The Imperial government Is also
Of the opinion that the great work OF
preventing future wars can be begun
only after the end of the pros emit strug.
gle of the nations.
ut will be when this moment shall
have come be ready with pleasure to
collabcrate entirely with the United
States in this exalted task"
The answer the Central powers con.
Guided with the usual diplomatic termr
Of poIiteness.
Officials here are surprised that thu
Germans answered to President WI
sons peace note was given out in Ber
lin before it reached this country ID
official form. They pointed out that
In sending his note to President VII
son allowed two days between the
time OF its dispatch and making it pa
lie that 1t might first reach the Germap
government. In the absence OF official
reply formal comment was withheld
at White House and the State depart
ment.
The direct proposal for conference
OF delegates at neutral place was
regarded as II further step In Ger
many's proposals although officialE
considered 1t as having been definitely
forecast in the first proffer.
Such a formal offer has repeatedly
been mentioned in authorized state.
ment at German embassy here, where
opinion freely has been expressed that
If delegates once could be gathered
around table for purpose Of discuss.
ing peace the result surely would be
an arrangement of terms.
The Berlin dispatches containinn
the German reply were read by Prest
dent Wilson and Secretary Lansing
with greatest interest. Some officials
who compared the reply with Presi,
dent Wilson's note professed to see
some conflict between the German
statement that the work of securing
the future peace of the world should
be delayed until the end OF the pres.
ent struggle while others were of the
opinion that it was not entirely out Of
harmony. n