New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-16
President Holds Time
Is Not Ripe for
Mediation ,,s
WILL SEND NOTE
WITH NO COMMENT
German Proposals Will Be
Put on Cables to
Europe day
fFron rhs rhsan. Bureau J

Washington, Dec. lJ.-fresluenI
Wilson, contrary TO widely circulated
rumors, will not take any steps, a.
least for the present, to identify the
United States with the German peace
move. Tomorrow he will transmit
tc the Allies the German, Austrian
and Turkish peace offers without any
comment or recommendation.
The President still is ready to do
anything he believes might help TO
bring about lasting peace. He does
not see in the German offer, how
ever, the opportunity he has been
waiting for, nor has he any separate
plan of his own at present.
This statement of his position was
made authoritatively to-day and
served to clear up the doubt on this
governments possible participation
ir the German overtures. 1t was in
ferred that the President was skep-
tical Of the chances of peace at this
time, and that in any case he would
await the answer of the Allies before
considering action on his own part.
Acting Only as Intermediary
Care was taken to make it clear
that Mr.. Wilson was not committed
TO any fixed policy with regard to the
peace question, but that he wanted
TO be free to act at any time as the
circumstances might warrant. He
is neither for nor against the German
proposal TO hold a peace parley, but
is acting for the moment merely as
an intermediary for the exchange Of
notes between the belligerent powers.
The Turkish note reached Washington
late to-day, the Austrian and German
having arrived last night. AS the
United States does not represent Bull
gars at any Of the Entente capitals the
series is complete so far as this gov
ernment is concerned. IL was impos
sible to forward the notes tonight.
however, because of mechanical diff
culties.
The American Embassies in Berlin
and Vienna forwarded two different
translations of the German text. while
the Turkish note arrived in French. The
State Department is comparing the
three versions TO discover if they pro-
ceed from a common original, in which
case much time will be saved by ca
bling the text only ouce to London. for
reepedition there to all the capitals
addressed.
With the possibility Of participation
BY President Wilson disposed Of, the
next move in the situation must come
from the Entente governments. Az
viewed here. the Allies have several
courses open to them besides a fiat re-
lection or acceptance of the German
offer.
May Demand German Terms
They may counter By demanding that,
as a preliminary TO discussion, Ger
many publish her minimum terms. r.
this demand was answered, the offer
then could be turned down with the
declaration that the terms were impos.
siblc for the Allies.
As an alternative 70 this, the Allies
may reply by stating their own mini
mum terms. thus throwing back on
Germany the responsibility for reject
ing conference.
In any case. Il is believed, some time
must elapse, as the Allies presumably
will have 20 confer among themselves
before making formal answer 10 GET
many. Lloyd Georges speech next
Tuesday, however, is expected 10 give
some indication OF the general nature
OF the reply.
Tmpatience was evidenced in German
quarters to-day that the State Depart
ment had not yet forwarded the notes.
II had been hoped they would be sent
on without delay, so that the fate OF
the conference idea might be known as
soon as possible. The reason for Ger
many's haste is seen in the suppositior
that she will redoublc her efforts g
force the Allies to terms II the peace
offer is rejected.
U-Bost Campaign Threatened
Germany with her back 10 the wall.
refused quarter by the Allies. may
prove a savage foe, II Is realized here.
and IL il expected that a definite re.
version to the submarine tactics o.
1915 will take place.
In spite OF denials the State Depart
ment has been worried by. reports OF 8
new fleet Of powerful submarines which
Germany is building and will have
ready for service about January !. II
s assumed that as soon as weather
conditions permit these submarines
will be brought into action, unless in
the meantime there is some encourage
ment for the peace move.