The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1916-12-14
SARCASM MEETS
OFFER OF PEACE
English Press Makes Biting
RatOrt 10 Proposal
MOVE A "DRAMATIC COUP"

British Official SkepticaI About Basis
For Peace MISUNDERSTANDING
Has Been Received Officially So For
eign Office Cannot Discuss Any Move
Toward Settlement of HostiI,ies.
Offer May Not Ering Quick Action.
London, Dec. 13-The first official
comment upon the peace proposals Of
the German allies came from an at
tache of the foreign office today.
According to this source England
will give no consideration to the peace
proposals until they are formally re
ceived. In the meantime, the princi-
pie of the old government will be
strictly adhered to.
Another high government official,
who refused to permit his name to be
used, declared that he feared the pro
posals advanced by Germany would
not give even a basis for a settlement
He said, however that the move OF
the central powers was a dramatic
coup and would result in a big change
in the political situation.
TOday's newspapers comment sar-
Castically on the German peace offer.
The Evening News says that mas.
much as the Germans have obtained
their maximum of plumber" and as
"the avenger in the shape of Lloyd
George is about to intlict punishment
Germany now desires to make
peace.
THE chancellor's declaration is al
most blasphemous," the News con
tinues. after the crushing of the
citizens OF Rumania and the deporta-
ton OF French and Belgians, the
kaiser and chancellor place on the al
lies the responsibility Of continuing
the war"
The stock market had adjourned
and the house Of commons was dis
persing when the news became known.
1t is thought the government was
acquainted in general way with the
proposals. The Exchange Telegraph
company says that the speech last
night Of Arthur Henderson, member
Of the war council, was made with full
knowledge that such proposals were
likely to be brought forward.
Immediate Results Not Likely.
The general impression was thar
The German offer was not likely to
bring immediate results. particularly
if, as the emDeror's pronouncement in
dictated, it was made on the basis thai
the central powers are victorious.
The offer finds the foreign Office up
set in the midst of a change of admin
istrat0n, but rs the new foreign sec
rotary. y. j. Balfour, has kept most
closely in touch with foreign affairs
while serving in a different depart
ment in the late government, it is moi
expected that it viii take long for him
to be as well prepared as Viscounr
Grey, the retiring foreign secretary, to
take charge of Great Britain's end Of
any negotiations which might follow
Germanys offer.
Although it is still matter OF mere
speculation, diplomats believe the
modus operandi would follow the
precedent set by the negotiations
which ended the Spanish-American
war, when France presented the Span
ish offer through Jules Cambon, the
French ambassador at Washington
No action could be taken, of course,
without full consultation with Great
Britain's allies.
Much speculation in official circles
as to the possible action of the reich
stag had hardly prepared them for
an actual offer of peace, and the Ut
most curiosity was displayed as to the
details of the proposed terms.
The foreign office states that it is
unable to discuss the German peace
until the terms have been received.
Meanwhile the attitude of the British
government toward possible peace
terms remains as frequently enunciat
ed by the former premier and foreign
secretary.