The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1916-10-07
RUMORED GERARD.
PEACE MISSION
is DENIED
President Has No knowledge of
Reported Move to End War
DISCREDITEO BY BERAsTORFf
Ambassador Says He Has information
Disproving New York Newspaper
Story.

New York, Oct. THE New York
Evening Post yesterday published a
story saying that it has been learned
from a trustworthy source that EN-
bassador Jones w. Gerard, now on
his way back from Germany, will lay
before President Wilson a request
that the president use his good offices
in suing for peace with the allies,
Germany has decided to apply to
President Wilson," the article reads,
ito use his good offices in suing for
peace with the allies. This was learn
ed today from sources in a position to
have absolutely trustworthy informa-
tion on these matters. 1t is under
stood that ambassador James w. Ge-
rard, who is on mis- way over here,
will lay the kaiser's request before
President Wilson within a week. =.
1t is a fact, however, positively it may
have been denied officially, that the
possibility of President Wilson acting
rs mediator has been discussed by Ger
man officials with ambassador Ger
ard. 1t is therefore, by no means sur
prising that the reports now take de-
finite shape in connection with Mr.
Gerard's trip to this country" En-
bassador Gerard is on board the
steamship Frederik VIII. due in New
York about Tuesday next
Tie Post says that the news was
given out by important banking in
terests in New York. Enough Gre
dence was placed in the report to
affect materially the stock market,
there being a reaction that affected all
stocks on the market especially the
"munition shares The Post says
that the fact that the market did not
respond more violently indicated
considerable incredulity
If ambassador Gerard is returning
to the United States on any mission
other than TO spend belated vaca-
tion, officials of the state department
at Washington disclaim any know
ledge of it. The statement has been
authorized that no preparations for
the discussion Of peace through diplo-
matte channels have been made and
that all information gathered at Wash
ington seems to indicate that such a
move would be inadvisable as we'll as
futile. There have been various re-
ports of plans of President Wilson to
deal with this matter directly instead
of through the state department
Officials OF the German embassy
received the story with the emphatic
statement that they knew beyond
doubt that 1t was not true. The Ger
man ambassador would not discuss
the story beyond saying it was un-
true, but he was very emphatic in his
declaration that he had information
positively disproying It,
On Board the Presidents Train.
Crestline, Ohio, Oct. 6.--President
Wilson was told tonight OF published
reports that Ambassador Gerard, now
on his way home from his post in Ber
lin, was bringing suggestions that the
United States make new move for
peace.
The statement was authorized that
the President knew of no such mis-
sion. Recently he said himself that
Mr.. Gerard was coming home only for
a vacation.
Washington, Oct. 6.-Count van
Bernstorff, the German Ambassador,
would not discuss today the story of
Ambassador Gerard having a peace
mission from Germany. beyond saying
it was untrue, but he was very en-
phatic in his declaration that he had |
information positively disproving it,