The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1906-2016, 1916-12-14
WILSON'S COURSE OF
ACTION UNKNOWN
YET AND IS WAITING
IS, FIGURING ON A DELICATE
WAY TO URGE ALLIES TO
CONSIDER THE PROPOSAL
MADE BY THE GERMAN EN-
PEROR AND HIS ALLIES.

WASHINGTON. Dec. 13.-Presi-
dent Wilson's course of action in con-
nection with Germany's peace pro-
posals remained undecided today
while he awaited the official proffer
which the central powers have asked
the United States to transmit to their
enemies.
The impression grew that while the
Presidents first consideration was to
safeguard his usefulness as peace
maker by omitting any comment
which might possibly be coupled with
rejection by the entente powers.
There was a disposition to find
some way, however, delicate and in
formal, to intimate the sincere wish
of the United States that some basis
for discussion at least might be
reached. Many officials felt that an
indication of the temper of the en-
tente governments should be avail
able before the influence of the
United States was thrown into the
balance.
The United States by reason of its
duel responsibility of representing the
interests of most of the central pow
ers and the. entente governments in
the capitals of their enemies. would
of course become the medium of COM
munication through which any reply
of the entente governments to the
central belligerents would be made.
The German embassy had further
advices on the terms of the
central governments, but it was free
ly admitted that terms had purposely
been omitted from the chancellor's
speech and the note, because the sole
purpose was to propose conference
NJ terms and carefully avoid advanc
my any which Nigh be made the
basis of refusal
The Teutonic diplomats. reflecting
the views of their governments, be-
Iieye the answer of the entente al
lies will be an inquiry as to the basis
on which Germany proposes peace,
and with that much as foundation
they see the warning nations well on
the way to conference from which
they are sanguine peace would re-
suit.
L. The probability of the entente al
lies themselves making some an
nouncement of the terms on which
they would make peace is regarded
here as having tremendous possibili-
ties for effect upon the German peo
pie themselves.
The President Cancelled all his out
side engagements today, including
one to preside over the annual meet
of the American Red Cross, and
remained in the White House. where
he conferred with Col. E. NJ House.
his friend and adviser who made a
trim to Europe to sound out peace
sentiment several months aro. Col.
House may go aean If the President
makes move to accompany Ger
many's proposal with suggestions of
anv character.
It was reiterated that until the Of
ficial documents had been received
for transmittal to the entete belli-
gerents no decision could be reached
as to what the United States would
do further than to transmit them.
The London press comment on the
neace offer is known TO be in accord
with confidential advices coming to
this government before Chancellor
Won Bethmann-H Hollweg's speech and
the note were published.
In quarters close to the entente al
lies an oninion prevailed that if the
entente allies made renly. their first
course might be to inquire what
guarantees would be given by Ger
manv that the terms of peace
treaty would fulfilled and that a
treaty would not be violated as, the
allies content. in the case OF Bel
gium. Bv making such a reply EN-.
tente Diplomats see the responsibility
for continuing the war thrown back
to the central powers.