Evening journal., 1916-12-16
WILSON believes
DOOR IS CLOSING
ONWARSTRUGGLE
Present, Not the Time, How
ever, for NeuiralS TO Of
fer Aid He Thinks
AWAITS Developments
BY GERMANY'S ENEMIES
BY ROBERT J. BENDER
United Press Stan Correspondent

WASHINGTON, Dec. 16.-President
Wilson believes the door IS closing
upon the great war struggle abroad
aud that before long the time Will
come for the friendly services OF neu-
trails. But nc is convinced that tne
immediate present ~ not the opp0r-
tune moment for the United states TO
extend any mediation otter. Hence he
Is ava ting Developments which VIII
fonow receipt OF all the Central
Powers peace proposals. by their eLe-
mes. Moreover, he Is giving a tro-
mendous amount OF study 10 all angles
of the situation, having before hIm
Germany quasi-oiilcial peace terms.
a mass OF confidential informal on
from the American embassy at Berlin,
and every atom of available indica-
tions as TO the grounds upon which
the Allies would enter q conference
locking TO terminal ng the war. Espe-
cially is he interested In learning the
contents of Premier LLOYD George
speech 70 Parliament next week. as
United Press dispatches stated several
days ago. When the President, there
fore, let It be known last night that
no comment would immed ately sup
plement transmission OF the Teutonio
communications TO the Allied capita
officials were not surprised He had
made Il perfectly plain TO those m his
confidence that he would take no step
toward mediat on until he was sure 1t
would be successful.
Until that me came anything
said or done Immediately by this gov
ernmont, not only would not help the
movement toward peace but would
actually retard it, his closest friends
said.
For that reason the Pres dent has
q consulted Secretary lansing seeking
: facts as 10 the psycholog cal moment
: for this governments intercesslon
W In an ofler OF services to the war
r riOrs
Administration men believe the
Z trend toward this psychological mo-
ment W II develop soon. The last OF
p the peace proposals should be on
7 he cables by night State Depart
lent official said But the Official
Who gave this informal on to tho
Inited Press was careful TO point out
hat there had already been one sud
. 'en change Of plans as to dispatching
; )f the proposals carl er this week.
1 TO NAAI AANAANAN AAAt iLC A1tlAiu tNAl
vas virtually starting on its way to
ondon. He explained this change
vas made at the last moment when
t was realized there might be need
Of care In comparing the text OF the
7 fferont proposals from Austria. Ger
many and Turkey, to see that they
We're IDENTICAL
General Discussion hy ofllc ais of
the Allied governments l. oxf acted to
develop at once upon receipt OF the
German proposals. According to ad-
vices from London. confidential inter-
change OF opinion is already under
way among the foreign Offices OF
Great Britain, France. Russia and
Italy. Lloyd George Is expected to
eum up and state to the world the Al
lies viewpoint next Tuesday. This
viii be the first Official sign from
which President Wilson can gain a
proper perspective as regards possi-
bilities OF a successful peace move
IN the near future.
Other neutrals Interested. Spain and
Switzerland. VIII follow his lead. Be
yond this his course of action Is not
determined In German embassy cir
cles here there is great optimism over
the peace outlook. Il is pointed out
CONTINUED on Page Two)