Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-12-12
M a stag Correspondent

WASHINGTON. Dec, i2--President vii,
son may become tho active force In effect
ing peace between the European nations
Tho speech of Chancellor Bethmann Holl-
veg. as received here, does not Indicate
whether this nation is asked TO be the mere
messenger OF Gsrmany's proposal or the sug-
gestion that Il use It's efforts TO effect peace.
In any case the President OF the United
States. as the head OF the great neutral
Power. will become the leading factor In
the peace negotiations
In August 1914, the President sent to
the heads OF the countries at war this mes
sage;
As official head OF one Of the Powers
Blgnatory 90 The Hague convention l
feel II TO be my privilege and my duty,
under article OF that convention. to
say to you In spirit of most earnest
friendship that I should welcome an
opportunity to act in the interest Of
European peace. either now or at any
other time that might be thought more
suitable as an occasion to serve you
and all concerned In a way that would
afford me lasting cause for, gratitude
and happiness,
WOODROW WILSON.
In this the President had rendered his
service for peace, and Germany may be
acting upon that offer Of more than two
years ago,
The Central Powers first formal move
for peace viii be presented 10 the Entente
allies by American diplomats accompanied
by an informal expression OF the desire OF
the United States that the allies enter
into peace negotiations.
President Wilson. II was learned this
afternoon, will ask tho Allies 10 make every
EFFORT 10 have peace convention result
from the initial negotiations.
Advance information received from See
retary Grew. of the American Embassy In
Berlin. that Germany and her allies would
today begin formal negotiations for peace,
which was received by the President late
yesterday. resulted In the decision
Preparations for the formal stems 10 be
taken by this Government were being made
this afternoon They will not be concluded
until after receipt from Secretary Grew
OF the ofiicial copy OF the Central Powers
outline Of peace The note, Il was learned
from ofiioials, has already been handed 10
Secretary Grew. ana was started for WASH
State Department officials this afternoon
we're confident that the proposals. would
result In a convention. probably OF a semi
formal status. OF representatives. OF the war.
ing powers. TO determine whether there
3 4 possibility of reaching "A basis gor |
,eaee. should = formal convention Be held.
German Ambassador Won Bernstorff and
shArge D'Anaires lwiedinek OF Austria
his afternoon began preparing complete |
tatementa Of the Intentions OF their gov |
rnfnents foF presentation 70 Secretary OF |
,tate Lansing and President Wilson.
Following receipt Of wireless message
rom Berlin by Ambassador Won Bernstorn |
nstruotinE him on what 70 lay before this /
ioyernment, Baron zwiedinek was called
o the German embassy and held ! long
Conference with the Ambassador Il was /
earned that they would later today de.
yer % Secretary Lansing information OF /
q informal natuFs. which vas not included
D Chancellor Fon Bethmann- Hollweg'a pro- |
osais banded 70 Secretary Grew.
OPINIONS on 0FFER
opini1na % peace foltaH
!. =. CALI secretary 81 toa AmaricEn f
Peace 61cieE4zWe naka bacn a4nelfinn 1
sufh move for Ions time i Il Ila +