New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-19
No Comment as Page
I Hands Note to Cecil

I London. Dec. 1S.-Thero we're no
)sormslities IN connection with the
presentation Of the German peace pro-
posals by Ambassador Page. The AM
bassador went in an automobile from
the embassy and vas received in the
Foreign Secrctsry's room By LORD
Robert Cecil. who was acting for the
Foreign Minister Mr.. Balfour.
The note was inclosed in a large
white envelope. It vas handed oy
Ambassador Page 20 Lord Robert Win
out any comment, and the recipient
made no reference 10 the question OF
peace, simply thanking Mr.. Rage ior
the transmission Of the message from
the Central Powers.
The two diplomats spent snort
time in conversation. but, IS one ssio
1--WE talked about everything but Tie
contents Of the envelope"
The note will be considered by inc
British Cabinet tomorrow. 1t beng
received too late to-day 10 enable the
council 20 be called. The next step
after the meeting OF the Cabinet VIII
be 20 get into communication with the
allies Of Great Britain, so that JOINT
action may be taken. This Is expected
20 take 81 least week.
No Terms No Conference
II has been ascertsined that the note
contains no terms, and the impression
prevais in official circles that until
these are disclosed q conference is I'M
possible.
has held strongly 70 the opinion that
the German peace proposal should re-
ceive a serious reply. commenting TO-
dav on the statement that the note con-
tains no terms, says;
"If the German note contains no de-
tails and is merely a repetition OF
Chancellor Won Bethmsnn-Hollweg's
speech in the Reiehstag, the prospect Of
any immediate result IS exceedingly
The presentation Of the German note
70 the Entente Allied governments has
now practically been accomplished.
While the British Foreign Once was
receiving the document from Amoas-
sador Page q similar delivery WAS
taking place In Paris. The SWISS Min
lister at Rome has presented the note
I
comment, and through the same chan
osI the message was presented TO Bel
riuu and Portugal, also without com
ment The Netherlands Minister ten
dered the peace proposals TO Serbia on
behalf Of Bulgaria.
Prior TO receipt OF the note by the
British Foreign Office the deliveries 70
Jtslv. Belgium and other countries had
nermitted exchanges concerning the
exact official contents, which proved 70
he eubs+antially the same as gwen IN
the speech made in the Reichstag oy
Chancellor Won ethmann-Holl weg, ana
without containing any specific indiea'
ton Of the terms. nj,
Il is also being observed In otheial
ctrcles 4bat the note was uniformly pre-
s.,ted without comment. This is taken
20 indicate that Germany framed the
communication so that the neutral I'D 70
termediaries would act only as forward
inr agents, at least at the outset
To Challenge Germany
Il is understood that the assertion
made IN the German note that the war
was forced upon Germany VIII nov De
permitted 10 90 unchal!enged' ana C Lha'
as a matter Of historical RECORD ueI-
inanv's part in the events Ieaohg "
the war will be clearly shown.
what is termed by British officials as
Germany methods Of conducting war
against civilian population, women,
and children, particular y IN the receht
ReIgian DECORATIONS, also is likely 10
be be pointed out According to the latest
sdvices reaching the Entente Allied
Governments the number Of Belgisns
denorted has reached 10000.
While the note as presented mnkes
20 reference TO q conference, there
continue 10 be indications that Ger
many Is seeking conference. This mas
led 10 a careful scrutiny OF the last
precedent. that Of the conference pre-
of the Crimean War. A preliminary con,
ference was held at Vienna in 1854 and
proved abortive, but when the peace
congress which finally settled the terms
Was held at Paris year later, the dis
cussions at the conference served LARGE
Is as a basis.