Omaha daily bee., 1916-12-14
GERMANY NOT
DISCLOSE TERMS
Next Step Will Be Made if Of
fer Falls Upon Respon-
sive Ears.
PROPOSALS ARE READY

,Beflin DEC. l~.-N Id Loluoh'
Dec. l3)-Although Chancellor Won
Bcthmann.Hollweg did not disclose
the definite proposals on which Ger
many and its allies arc prepared to
make peace in his speech before the
'cichstag, such proposals arc ready
and will be communicated to the en-
tcntc powers if the chanccllor's offer
should fall upon responsive cars.
In the corridors of the Relchstag
where after the historic twentymin-
ute session the members gathered i'll
keen discussion Of the chancellors
speech the general opinion expressed
was that the situation would be ad-
vantageouS 10 Germany, whether or
not the chanccllors offer was ac-
ceptcd by the entente.
Some OF the opponents OF the chan
cellor are opposed to any move in
the direction OF peace, except on the
basis of woo to the conquered "
Most members of the Reichstag,
howcvcr, express the opinion that the
emperor's decision was wise and
timely and showed pleasure at the
formal step taken toward ending the
war.
Government Given Free Hand.
When the chancellor had con-
cluded his speech an attempt was
made to force all immediate debate,
under Major Ernst Bassermann,
leader of the national liberals, and
Count Wtstarp, supported by the cx-
treme socialists. This move was
firmly resisted by the leaders OF the
moderate parties, who agreed with
the chancellor that general dis
cussion OF possible peace conditions
before the attitude of the enemy pow
ers was made known could only in
jure the cause OF peace and place
Germany at diplomatic disadvan-
tagc. Their attitude was that if the
central powers exposed all their
cards before peace negotiations be-
gan they would be placed at a dis
advantage.
The indefinite adjournment of the
Reichstag by its own decision leaves
the government free hand to con-
duct further negotiations and is re-
garded as tantamount to a vote of
confidence.
Document of Love and Peace.
Commenting on the peace proposal
Germania, the Catholic organ, ex-
presses especial pleasure that thee
tral powers appeal to the pope as well
as to other neutrals. 1t en-
Enthusiastically approves the peace over
lures, which it terms the privilege Of
the stronger in war and perform
ance of the holiest of duties to hu-
manity and Christian morality. p
The newspaper declares that the
emperor's note to Germanys oppo-
nents is document of the love, of
peace. than which none could be
greater, fairer, or go to further
lengths, and which prove that Ger
many, despite its enormous military
successes, does not wish to strike in
cold blood to destroy its enemies, but
in consonance with its responsibility
to God and, the world, offers them the
hand of peace. Only a fool, it de-
clares. will see in the offer an indica-
ton of weakness.
Offer Indication of Strength.
The evening edition of the Lokal
Anzeiger refrains from predicting
either success or failure for Ger
many's peace overtures. The editor
ial lays stress on the declaration that
the offer is an indication of strength
and not of weakness. 1t calls the
day epoch-making in importance, but
doubts whether this Christmas, at any
rate, can bring to realization the Bi-
blical peace on earth, good will to
men,
The newspaper both opens and
closes its editorial with the imperial
chancellors words: 1--WE are pre-
pared for peace, but are ready to
fight"
Victor Hahn. in the National
Zeitung, likewise lays emphasis upon a
characterization Of the peace over
lures as sign of strength rather than
of weakness, and expresses belief that
the responsible statesmen of the en-
tente will not care to construe them
otherwise.