The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1916-12-15
United States is Now Free
to Make Mediation Efforts


as having broken the chains which
for months have restrained the
United States as well as other nell
trails from making offers of media
ition
Now that one set of belligerents
mas siginfied its willingness to dis
cuss peace terms-a condition often
reiterated as necessary to any action
by President Wilson-there are indi-
cations that when the United States
acting as intermediary, transmits the
German proposal it may accompany
Its action by some steps, necessarily
delicate. to throw the influence OF the
United States into the balance for at
least consideration, however nre-
ilminary, of the terms on which n
lasting peace might be brought to tn,
world. Some ranking officials of the
American government believe q
league of nations, such as Presiden.
Wilson has suggested, must he tbe
outcome, and it could not be perfect
ed without the participation of the
United States.
Whether the United States will
transmit the German proposal with
out any comment whatever or accou,
pany 1T with some formal or informal
expression will not be finally decided
until the note delivered to America n
! Charge Grew in Berlin reaches Presi.
dent Wilson's hands. probably tomor-
row.
/ Ihere were indications tonight that
president Wilson might find some
way to express the solemn and earn
est wish of the United States for 2
careful consideration OF the sugges,
uon OF peace, even before the En-
tonte governments have made known
their attitude toward the German
proposal. This, however, it was
pointed out, necessarily would be
done in such delicate and ultracon,
hdential way that it never would be
publicly known should the Allies de-
cline the offer. This course was saiu
to be absolutely necessary so as to
leave the United States free and nm
embarrassed to act when an accep-
table peace offer comes.
Regardless of whether President
Wilson decides to accompany the Ger
man proposal with any word it was
said tonight he unquestionably
would take steps to learn the attitude
of the Entente Allies toward the
peace move and possibly might again
send to Europe his personal FRIEND
and advisor. Col. E. NJ. House.
None of the official dispatches had
arrived tonight The government
first information was conveyed in the
Associated Press dispatches from
Berlin. President Wilson was said
to be deeply interested. but reservine
comment. Secretary Lansing main
tanned similar attitude. The cabi.
net discussed the development at its
regular Tuesday meeting, but the sit
uation was described by members as
so obviously delicate that no an
ncuncement could be made.
/ The absence of any specific terms
for peace in the note, or in the Ger.
man chancellor's speech, was in :
measure disappointment to those
who expected some concrete EXPIRES
sion OF basis on which negotiations
might begin. The German embassy.
however, is in possession of -advices
which outline in a general way wha,
Germany expects and the diplomats
OF the Entente Powers, through ,the
means of being supplied with infol.
nation. believe they have general
idea of what terms the Central Pow
ers are willing to advise the basis for
discussion
The whole German view of the
peace move is that it is a step to-
wards a discussion of peace terms
which If it amounts to anything
ought to show definite progress early
in January.
There is said to be no possibility
of peace conference being held in
the United States. Berne and The
Hague are mentioned as most likely
and IL is not doubted that Count Won
Bernstorff. the German ambassador
here, would go as one OF his country's
representatives. His attitude was
expressed tonight in the following
statement: