New Britain herald., 1916-12-12
INDEPENDENCE OF POLAND
 AND LITHUANIA IS PRICE
Germany Willing to Restore Occupied Territory in Bel gium and France, Embas- sies in U. s. Are Told.

II, Berlin to, the German embassy indi- cate that Germany's peace terms, in general measure, propose the restora- tion of the status quo before the war with the exception of the establish ment of independent kingdoms of Poland and Lithuania.
 They are understood to propose the complete restoration of the occupied portions of Belgium and France in return for Germany's captured colon ies and to dispose of the Balkan situ- ation because of its extremely com plicated nature, in the peace confer ence. ...-....
 News that Germany and her all lies were about to enter on peace nego- tiations was sent to the president. Speaking for the president, Secretary Tumulty said he was deeply interested but could make no comment at least until it was learned what reception the proposal received from the en- tente allies.
 The state department received it's first information of Germanys pro- posal through the. Associated Press despatches from which officials as- sumed that the offices of the neutrals addressed are asked only to transmit the proposals. This will be done SO far as the United States is concerned, promptly on receipt of the official despatches in Washington. They will be forwarded to all the entente coun- tries in which the United States repre- sents Central power automatically
 Whether the United States would accompany the transmission with any ant ind cated, depends entirely upon the na- ture of the proposal and whether it is considered likely to be considered. If the offer is deemed one on which all sides might negotiate, the United States probably would urge that it be unanimous. t.
 In transmitting the proposals it was officially stated, the United States probably would follow the course which has been invariably so far in action as the medium of communica- ton between the hostile governm ents, and would not make them public. The terms would, of course be known to President Wilson and Secretary Lans- ing who would examine them to de- termine whether they should be ac- companied by any word from the United States.
 It ndS D6eIl SSucTdlly louSSd in Entente circles that efforts would be made by Germany to conclude peace separately with her enemies, but so far all the Entente nations have reiterated their intention to adhere to their agreement made early in the war not to make separate peace. The recent death of the Austrian emperor Francis Joseph, and the succession of King Charles to the throne of the dual monarchy also was discussed as one of the considerations which might have been a factor in bring out peace proposals at this time.
 The United States represents Aus tria and Germany in Belgium, France, Great Britain, Japan. Russia Serbia and Rumania; represents Turkey in France, Great Britain and Japan; has taken over Bulgarian interests mo- where, and does not represent any of the belligerent governments in Italy, Portugal or Montenegro.
 The news was virtually the only topic of conversation between mem bers of congress as they assembled for the days session. A regular cab met meeting was to be held this after noon at the White House and there was no doubt it would be discussed there.
 The foreign embassies and legations received their first information of the event through Associated Press despatches.
 On every hand the discussion turned to what had moved Germany and her allies to make their proposals at this time, Although for many weeks there have been persistent and officially de-
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