The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-12-29
Entente's Apparently Firm At
titude for Wars Continuance
Proves No Deterrent
MAY PLACE TERMS In
HANDS OF PRESIDENT
America, However. Can Do
Nothing More Until Allies
Make Reply to Wilson
Move for a Conference

Washington, Dec. 2s.-Contnued
agitation by Germany for peace in
the face of the apparently immovabie
opposition of the entente powers was
tonight accepted In Washington as
the most encouraging development N
the peace situation. Count Won Bern
storfY, the German ambassador. to-
night reiterated his declaration that
Germany is earnest and sincere in her
desire to end the war. Diplomatic
Washington accepted this statement
us indicating that the central powers
may be willing to 60 further in in
dicating their definite peace aims,
than they have heretofore.
The German embassy made II clear
that a statement OF the terms pro-
posed by the central allies-in more
or less definite forms-is now avail
able to the United States, under seal
OF secrecy. Secretary Lansing de-
''confldentiar' matter were clearly Inn
proper. and declined to discuss 1t. 1t
was apparent, however, that Germany
has su omitted to this country her In
formal plan for allowing the United
States to handle her peace terms un-
til a similar declaration can be Sc
cured from the entente allies. Ad-
vices to Washington from American
diplomats abroad and through bel
ligerent representatives. here, were to
the effect that while the entente pow
ers are still Jointly preparing a reply
to the German peace advances. they
Will steadfastly maintain their refusal
to discuss peace until Germany has
made her peace terms clear, and has
stated them in the open.
Replies Arc Received
The formal copies OF the German
and Austrian replies to the Presi-
dents peace note were received at the
State Department today without COM
ment. Both were laid before the
President who likewise refused to
discuss them The ofncial text OF the
notes differed but little, and only In
insignificant details from the pub
nshed versions
The State Department and the
White House took the attitude to-
night that there was nothing for the
United States to do toward poace un-
til the formal reply OF the entente
been received. Neutral diplomats
policy Of neutral endorsement Of the
Presidents proposals would be con-
tinued and that specific endorsements
might be officially received from the
Scandinavian nations. Holland and the
South American countries at any time.
Senior Calderon,- the Bolivian minis
ter and dean Of the IAtin-American
diplomatic corps, said that joint ac-
ton by the South American nations
was to be expected promptly. A
change Of ministry in Bolivia has de-
layed action slightly. and Minister
Calderon today cabled the new pre-
mier, Senior Sanches, for instructions.
Central American countries are ex-
pected to follow closely the action OF
the South American nations.
Advances in Good Faith.
The German embassy tonight was
emphatic In its declaration that the
peace advances OF the central powers
were bona fide. and in denying pub
lished reports that the peace propos-
ais were designed to forestall Sc
rious break with the United States
over the question of submarine war
fare
..rners II no break impending be-
tween the United states and Germany
OY0Y SI10 0u OIu0lt h0 WoAA0A An0oVp
declared Ambassador Won Bernstorn,
'.anv statement that I advised the
German government to advance itl
peace proposals A. . means Of with
drawing the attention Of tho United
States from the submarine issue 10 an
unqualified falsshood."
Restoration Of Belgium.
While 1t was impossible to de-
tsrmine tonight whether Germany'i
Informal statement Of peace terms had
been transmitted to the State Depart
ment, or whether they were In the
hands of Ambassador Gerard in Ber-
lin, German embassy sources made II
clear that the restoration Of Belgium
is one Of the principal concessions Of
fered by Germany. German sources In
this country for several weeks have
admitted that Germany proposes to re-
store the status quo before the war In
Belgium and to admit that while the
demanded by military necessity 1t was
plainly illegal.
No formal statement as to the peace
terms was forthcoming tonight from
either the embassy or the State De-
partment, but 1t can be stated that
Germany, to restore peace would be
willing to propose:
The restoration of Belgium. and the
withdrawal Of the German armies
from occupied territory in Northern
France.
The establishment Of an independent
kingdom Of Poland.
A division OF the Balkan territory
among the Balkan races along lines
Of racial division with the view to
ending the Balkan troubles for good.
~ A. -
questions. and questions Of indemnity
in . joint peace conference. where
Germany would endeavor to pre-
cipitate the Irish problem Of Great
Britain. and the Egyptian situation. a.
related questions demanding adjudica-
ton.