Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-12-29
GERMANY WILLING To STATE TERMS FIRST
and RELY ON J. S. TO BRING ABOUT PEACE
SAYS BLAME FOR
DELAYING PEACE is
NOT UPON TEUTONS
Berlin TagebIatt and Other
Papers Comment on Prompt
ness With Which Germany
Answered Presidents Note


BERLIN Dec 27.-(Nia London. Dec
2SD-The promptness with which Ger
many replied TO President Wilson's note
il. emphasized i'm the comments OF the
Berlin newspapers The Mcrgen POST
SAYS Germany's speedy answer should
snow President Wilson that his note was
appreciated according to its merits"
The Boursen Zeitung. Tageblatt and
Vorwaerts also call attention to the
quickness OF the German response as
favorable action in contrast with delay
of the entente.
The Tageblatt speaks of the warmth
and clearness" in the wording of Ger
many's answer and thinks the entente
governments. in view of the strong Ian
guage used by all their prime minis
tiers. will need considerable time to ind
a satisfactory reply to America which
will throw upon the central powers the
odium OF hindering peace.
The papers, however. do not reach OPP
timistic conclusions based on the ex-
change of notes. The Lokal Anzeiger
says it has not even remote belief
that the allies will send delegates to
peace conference if such step is
recommended by President Wilson.
The Vorwaerts indorses Germany's
answer and notes the sharp contrast
in the vote of the French senate which
il terms inexcusable from a socialist
standpoint This paper favors the pub
iication in full of German peace terms
in order Ito let the French people see
what a good peace they are now able
to obtain"
DANGER is SEEN.
The Vossische Zeitung approves the
answer but sees a danger for Germany
in the American note because. it says,
,ss.1N
leaves no hatreds behind and therein
lies the danger for Germany should
America demand a seat at the peace
NEGOTIATIONS"
We are friendly and peaceable." it
concludes, but still strong and indie
pendent"
The Taeglische Rundschau asks what
President Wilson will do if the entente
rejects his note. "Win Secretary Ian
sing again send Germany n Sharp warn
ing of war;" says the Rundschau. "or
Will President Wilson. in firmly pursu-
ing his purpose. bring pressure upon
those who reject his views?"
The disposition of certain pan-German
newspapers to read an unfavorable in
depreciation into the Austrian and Ger
man replies is not shared in official cir
cles where the Interpretation generally
voiced is that the reply is in principle
"a loyal acceptance of President Will
sons suggestion promoting the pros
poets of peace now and in the future
and an effort in the same direction as
the original peace proposal of the CEN
trail powers"
The speed with which the Austro-Ger-
man answer was delivered is a further
indication, according to a high German
diplomat. of the ready acceptance here
Of President Wilson's ideas. The Swiss
note will be answered with the same
celebrity and in the same geenral spirit
and will convey in addition a cordial
tribute to the hospitality extended by
the Helvetian. republic TO invalid war
prisoners
The diplomat in question declared that
as far as what he considered the inti-
nation in President Wilson's communi-
cation regarding the maintenance of the
territorial integrity of the bclligerents
in an ultimate peace settlement the an
swer lay less with the central powers
than with their adversaries. The lat
ter. he said, had openly proclaimed as
their goals of war the detachment of
Alsace Lorraine from Germany; Galicia-
Bukowina and the Adriatic provinces
from Austria Hungary and Constanti-
nople and Armenia from Turkey.
As to the prospect that peace will re-
suit directly from the present negoti-
atiOns and interchange of notes there
is marked display of optimism in either
Official or unofficial circles.
The example of the Portsmouth nego-
tiations which ended the Japanese-Rus-
sian war. is. however. sometimes re-
called. The diplomat also expressed the
personal opinion that the entente would
probably reject the German proposal for
a conference in a neutral country. He
said that If the proposal was accepted
Switzerland was the most probable place
for the meeting because of its central
position, Geographic facilities, adequate
hotel accommodations and the belief, he
said. both sides in its complete neutral
ity.