The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1916-12-12

GI'A444uCAAL Va 1t fFaASo LII
dicated, depends entirely upon tho ma I
ture Of the proposal and whether it is |
considered likely Of consideration. III
the offer is deemed one on which ALL
sides might agree the United States
probably would urge that it be taken
UP.
l nthe transmitting OF the proposals,
1t was officially stated The United
States probably would follow the prac-
tice which has been tnvariable so far
as acting as medium Of comTnuntca-l
ton between the hostile governments
and would not make them public Thel
terms would. of course. be known to Il
President Wilson and Secretary Lans-
ing would examine them To determine
whether they should be accompanied
by any word from the United States.
The news was practically the only
topic Of discussion among the mem
hers of Congress as they assembled for
the days session. "A regular cabinet
meeting was scheduled for this after
noon at the White House and there was
no doubt it would be discussed there.
The foreign embassies received their
\ first information of the event through
Associated Press dispatches On every
hand the discussion turned to what
had moved Germany and its allies to-
make their proposals at this time. Al-l
= > v
been persistent and officially denied re-
ports that some peace proposal was
about to be made by President Wilson
there was no open indication that the
| Central powers themselves were about
! to make one Generally the announce
ment was distinct surprise through
4 official and diDlonlatic5 circles.
One prevailing opinion was that
THE Germanic allies had brought
about their peace offer at this time
4 with the. expectation of making terms
] which might be acceptable to the al
! lies of England and in effect might
4 possibly cause the British government
ito yield to the pressure of the nations
lighting with it. IN this connection
1.-THE recent crisis in Russia, IN which
1.-THE Duma interfered to prevent the
4 negotiations of a separate peace with
Germany, was recalled as an indica-I
jtfonE OF whatHthe German foreign Of
t8ffce might be looking forward to In
.fpeace negotiations. 1t has been gen
orally acknowledged in Entente Al.
lied circles that efforts would be-
4 made by Germany to conclude peace
desperately. with its enemies but SO far
4 all the Entente nations have reIterat-
ii ed their intentions to adhere to their
i agreement made early in the war not
4 to make a separate peace. The re-
sEGEnl uStllA5 Vi aIuE. emperor
y Francis Joseph, and the succession
sI.of King Charles to the throne Of the
sI:dual monarchy also was discussed as
lone Of the consideration which might
A have been a factor in bringing out
A peace proposals at this time
I The United States represents Aus
trial and Germany In Belgium.
France, Great Britain. Japan, Russia,
J. Serbia and Roumania; represents IN
s. France, Great Britain and Japan; has
!. taken over Bulgarian interests no.
where, and Ices not represent any Of
II the belltgerent governments In Italy.
I, Portuga or Montenegro.
H Dispatches to the German embassy
,IEtelling Of the chancellor's action In
!. calling In the neutral diplomats ar
Z rived soon after, the news dispatches.
x The terms for the restoration Of Bel
q GUM and parts of France gave no
!. Indications Of stipulations such as
have been generally expected by the
Allies, although they did not abso-
!. lutely dispose OF their possibility.
; twas indicated that while the Ger
man allies might not entirely expect
that the proposals would actually
I; cause a peace conference, they were
not without hope that they would,
z and they were hopeful at least that
: they would be the means Of getting
I the belligerents together in some
manner to discuss the situation and
this, it was expected. would lead to a
basis for peace.
In German quarters the crisis In
the British government, the coming
on winter and the lul1 in the fighting
! are given as the reasons for making
! the peace proposals at this time.
i Another or the objects. it is ex-
/ l6plained7 BY German diplomats, is to
force a show down" and establish
whether the Entente Allies are will
\ ing to make peace or whether it Is
i their intention to crush Germany and
!. dlsmemb Der it. Germany, they say
Is convinced Of the ability and the
: strength OF Its enemies to continue
: the war on its present or even great.
!, er scale for ten years. IL necessary
Z and.is no less confident. of Its oWr
ability to do SO.
hMnELca IINIk,RI#E