Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1916-12-29
Wilson and Lansing Will
Not Discuss Any of the
Developments.
HAS GERMANY MADE
KNOWN HER TERMS?
Decision Of Washington to Maintain
Silence Interpreted as Indicating
That Exchanges Will Follow
Entente Replies.

Washington, Ded 2s.-A policy of
absolute silence regarding the pea re
negotiations has been adopted by
President Wilson and Secretary Lans
ing.
1t was stated officially today that
, all steps henceforth will be regarded
as confidential; that no comment will
be made on any development and that
rumors will not be discussed in any
way.
The decision to pursue this course
was made known after the state de-
partment had received the official
text of the German and Austrian re-
plies to President wilson's note to the
belligerents, proposing discussion Of
peace terms, and after it was learned
that the Teutonic powers would be
willing to permit confidential ex-
change of tentative terms if it became
necessary to do so to bridge the gap
threatening to prevent the gathering
of peace delegates.
In many quarters the official atti-
tude was construed as indicating that
secret exchanges we're expected TO
follow if they did not precede the
formal reply of the entente powers 10
the notes of President Wilson and the
central powers. Because of the highly
confidential nature Of the exchanges,
ii vast pointed out, the intermediary
would be Obliged to refrain from ad
hitting even that they are in pro-
gress.
So far as the entente governments
are concerned, it is understood that
little, if any, confidential information
has reached here to shed more light
on their attitude than has been given
the public in the speeches OF their
premiers and the comment Of their
! press. Consequently. there is no dis
position to admit that the allies
unanimously will refuse to enter any
sort Of peace conference until Ger
MANY has indicated clearly on what
grounds she will ston fighting.
willing to Submit Guarantees.
Diplomats familiar with the view
point Of Germany were emphatic to-
night in declaring that Germany
necessarily would be able to make
much better terms in confidential ne
gotiations than in public. The radi
cal element in German politics. it is
said, must be elonsidered by the gov
eminent.
Not under any consideration, j
was said, would Germany consent t
terms permitting the allies to retail!
Germanys lost colonies and requiring
Germany to evacuate all enemy ter
ritory now occupied.
If the entente allies consider tina
guarantees for the future are tn.
nrinciple elements to be reached. and
lacking confidence in the German
government, insist upon knoWlni
something Of the guarantees ina
Germany is willing to give, the Der
lin government, it is said. might max
some declaration regarding the prln
cfples to which she is willing to SUB
scribe, leaving the details for settle
ment at the proposed conference. Ia
German government considers Their
is but title to be gained by an
lengthy discussion Of guarantees TO
the future while the present war !
in progress.
Germany, however, does not antlc'
pate an early ending Of the war. sh
expects six or more months may b
required to reach an agreement, an
is prepared to prosecute the war Wig
orf1Ils1v.