New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-21
Washington Expects Note
to Bring Forth EX-
changes
WILSON'S PROPOSAL
STARTLES CAPITAL
Diplomats Find Precedent
for Action in ROOSevelt'S
Jap-RuSSian Move


Washington. Dec. 20.-The whole
tenor Of official opinion throughout
Washington when the Presidents ac-
lion for peace became known was that
IL immeasurably improved the pros
pects for some sort Of exchanges look
ing toward an approach to peace DIS
russians among the bellgerents. with
ont impairing the position OF the
United States. should they hnally be
unable to find ground on which 10
approach one another.
A. the White House no statement
,rb.teyer could be obtained as to
whether any Of the powers even hau
animated how they would receive the
note. and there was every indication
that the same careful secrecy "hicn
prevented ANYTHING whatever becoming
known in advance about the fresldent
action would surround any succeeding
moves.
Nowhere on the surface appears any
indication of the history making events
which diplomats generally are con
WINGED must have TRANSFERRED since the
German allies brought forth their pro-
posals. to dispel the generally preN",
lon, belief that such an action on the
nart If President Wilson would be un-
scceptable to the Entente powers
Dinlomats consider il incredible that
the President would bring forward
such proposal at such time unless
he had reason to believe It would re-
ceive respectful consideration AT inc
hands of all the belligerents, and. above
all, would not prejudice the posi.io"
of the United States as poSsio'e
mediator.
Roosevelt Precedent
The nearest parallel in world ms
tory for President Wilson's action was
President Roosevelt's move IN 100 10
end the war between Russia and japan.
Rut in that case the President had
been assured his proposal would not
he disagreeable to either OF the bel
ligerents. and. curiously enough, 1t was
through Emperor William OF Germany
that the preliminary soundlngs erys-
tsllized into the suggestion that fresi-
dent Roosevelt take the steps.
Before that time President Roosevelt
had conferred with Count Cassinl, the
Russian Ambassador here, and with
Mr. Takahira. the Japanese Minister.
In the Russian capital the American
Ambassador. George Won l.. Meyer, had
conversations with Count Lamsdorh,
the Russian Minister for Foreign Al
fairs. In Toxic American Minister
Griscom had conversations with Count
Komura. the japanese Minister Tor FOR
eign Affairs. The outcome OF all these
preliminaries was that President Roose-
welt was assured that he would not be
Inundated by a rejection of his action.
Officials expect the note TO be re-
ceived with general favor in Germany,
but many believe the real test will
come with its arrival in the Entente
countries. where many influential per-
sons have feared and sought TO prevent
any American Intervention until the
military situation changed.
LLOYD George Gave Opening
From the fact. however, that Lloyd
Georges reply TO the Central Powers
was milder than generally had been
expected and still left the way open
for further negotiations, IL is believed
that the Allies will meet the present
note in at least friendly spirit.
While German officials thoroughly
understood that President Wilson made
il clear that he was not IN any sense
| offering mediation 20 the warning gov,
! ornments. it was declared that should
7 the negotiations reach that stage Ger
many. being anxious to have the peace
Of Europe restored, willingly would
agree to such procedure. Neither does
/ il make any difference 10 Germany, i
was said, whether the conference II
composed of representatives of all tn
/ belligercnts or just the coalitions.
So far as Germany is concerned, tn
view held here is that she would ~
perfectly willing that committee O.
/ three. formed Of representative o.
the Central Powers. representative
o. the Entente and a sentative o
the United States, should hold prelimi
nary discussions. The main idea o
/ Germany and her allies is to get eacf
set Of belligerents into direct persona
communication with the other Ih'
method is considered of secondary i'm
portance.
The view prevails in German quar-
tiers that all the belligerents will max
some definite statement in reply TO the
United States. The very phraseoiogy
Of the American communication, IT Is