New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-11
Offer to Mediate Not
Contemplated Now,
Official Says
GERARD is NOT
MESSAGE BEARER
Mediation RumOrs Are
Dangerous, View of
Administration

Washington, Dec. 10.-Offers of
mediation or suggestions of peace to
the European nations have not been
made by the United States, they are
not now being borne across the seas
by Ambassador Gerard, and will not
be broached by this government in
the near future unless there is some
quite unexpected turn in world
events.
These statements are made author
itatively by one of the highest Off
cials of the government to counter
act reports to the contrary which
have been generally published, much
to the embarrassment of the Admin
istration and to the misleading Of
foreign nations. The facts set forth
and the details following may be said
to express the Administration views
of the situation as affecting pros
poets for peace.
In official circles it is felt that the
increasing and apparently authorita-
tive rumors that the United States
is planning some move for peace arc
calculated above all else to destroy
chances of peace, and, no matter
what their origin, TO defeat their
own ends.
Official Denial Contemplated
The misunderstanding has become
so serious that an official denial has
been contemplated, probably through
the State Department, The Presi-
dent, however, has preferred to dis
sociate himself entirely from any
such announcement, no matter how
made, that he may stand untram-
melled on his original offer Of me-
diation at the beginning Of the war.
Two cardinal facts stand out in the
minds of officials. First, that many such
proposals originate in German circles,
and second, that their reiteration has
been driving Allied statesmen TO an ex-
tremity of refutation from which it
would be very embarrassing for them
t. recede.
without in any way passing on the
ultimate outcome Of the war, it is felt
here that Germany has largely achieved
her detectives, and that she is in po-
sition to treat on the basis of her pres
ent gains without subjecting herself to
the Inevitable losses of men and money
caused by further hostilities.
Gerard Has No Proposal
The Allies, on the other hand, have
shown that they are absolutely opposed
to peace now. They have left not the
least doubt that they would regard
mediation at this time as unfriendly. 1t
is firmly believed in official circles here
that such an attempt by this govern
ment would subject the United States
to the charge of partisan interference
IN the war.
Most embarrassing Of all the ru-
mOIs. peEnupc- - ilt Nohotohh iNAS~a~
ton that Ambassador Gerard Is return
ing to Germany with peace proposals
from the President. This is declared
not only to be false. but to be actually
dangerous. IL is said TO have created
an unfortunate feeling in both bellig-
erent groups; a feeling Of intense irri-
tation among the Allies and Of un-
founded hopefulness among the Ger
man people, who appear TO be well sat
isfied with the wars results and eager
for its end.
The government will watch an op-
portunity TO offer mediation with
zealousness that could not fail TO come
from the chance 10 put an end 70 the
most calamitous war in history. when
official reports from all sides indicate
that such a movement might succeed II
will be scrutinized carefully before be.
ing attempted. Until then unfounded
agitation by persons not in a nosltion
to know the fundamental and decisive
attitude OF the belligerent nations IS
regarded as best calculated to defeat
the very ends in view.