Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1916-12-22
REFUSAL WILL NOT
MEET PEACE OFFER
GERMANY, EXPECTING FIRST
REBUFF, HOPES FOR RESULTS
NEXT SPRING.

Turkish offer to discuss peace.
Information to this effect from
thoroughly reliable sources abroad
has reached officials here, says the
International News Service. Despite
the action of the Russian duma in
voting unanimously against efforts to
conclude peace now, in administra-
ton circles here there is optimism in
the belief that the Teutonic offer will
be considered carefully by the Rus
sian foreign Office as well as the other
governments of the entente.
The indications from Petrograd
that Russia was set against a peace
at this time are not entirely discour-
aging to the representatives of the
central powers, 1t was stated. When
the peace offer was made, it was
pointed out, it was expected that it
would not be accepted now, but that
1t would be thoroughly considered
and later, probably in the spring,
would receive even more earnest con-
sideration.
| Hope Not Abandoned.
The decision of President Wilson
to refrain from accompanying the
Teutonic peace discussion offer with
a note from this government urging
favorable action was made because
of the uncertain temper of the recip-
tents of the communication. 1t was
stated by one of his advisers that the
administration has not by any means
abandoned the plan of urging upon
the entente the fullest consideration
of the peace suggestion of it's enc
mics.
At the most, it was declared posi-
lively, it will mean only a postpone
ment of action by the United States
until it can be learned that it's efforts
to secure the discussion of basis for
peace between the countries now at
war would be favorably received.
This may not be for several months,
it was admitted, but the administra-
tion will adhere to the policy, 1t was
stated. that as a neutral that has suf-
fered at the hands of both sides in the
war and on the broad grounds of hu-
mainly, it is justified in any effort
that it may make to bring to an end
the world war.
In
peace suggestions to her enemies,
that there was little likelihood of
resulting in immediate peace in Eu-
rope. Her plan in reality involved a
wide discussion of what the fighting
is for" to be participated in by repre-
sentatives of all of the combatants.
Such a discussion, if untrammeled
and open, must eventually show the
way to peace, in the German opinion.
Count Johann H. Won Bernstorff,
German ambassador to the United
States is understood to have made
this plain to Secretary of State Lam
sing on his first visit to the state de-
partment after the German proposals
were made public. On leaving he adj
mitted under pressure of question
ing that he had discussed the peace
situation but he insisted that he
could make no public statement be-
cause of the danger of being misun-
derstood.
Germany Looks to Neutrals.
Secretary Lansing also refused to
discuss the interview. He said the
situation was too delicate for any
comment. However he communi-
Gated the substance of his converse
ton with the German ambassador to
President Wilson at once. 1t is un-
derstood the president was told that
Germany is really very hopeful that
the powerful influence of the United
States and all of the other neutral
nations. as we'll as that Of the Vati-
can, will be thrown on the side of
peace as soon as the present negotia-
lions take definite shape.
Count Won Bernstorff took occa-
sion to insist that the German en-
bassy is without any knowledge OF
any peace terms based on German
views. He said that this was the one
subject that must be left to the pro-
posed conference to discuss ways and
means Of ending the war, If any real
result was to be obtained. What
Germany desires now, he indicated.
is to have the representatives OF the
belligerent nations get together and
discuss for themselves what they are
fighting for to see whether diplomacy
cannot be substituted for force.
Entente diplomats were greatly in
terested in the visit Of the German
ambassador TO the state department.
They eagerly inquired whether he
had made any suggestions along DOS