South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-12-26
ReneWS Offer Made by Ger
man Chancellor to Enter I'M
mediateIy Into q Peace
Conference.
NOTE Is CONSIDERED
IN A FRIENDLY MANNE Err
Time Not Ripe For the Pre-
Vention of Future Wars.
Will COIIabOrate With
United States.
international News Service:


BERLIN. via Sayville wireless.
Dec. 26.-The reply OF the German
allies to the peace note OF Pres't
Wilson was given today. IL failed
TO name any peace terms.
The reply was i'm the form OF "A
joint note, handed TO the diplomatic
representative Of the United States
in Vienna, Sofia and Constantinople,
as well as in Berlin
Announcement that the German
allies had answered the American
note was made through the Overseas
News agency.
The reply states that the imperial
government considered Pres't Will
sons note IN a friendly manner. but
that "in the opinion of the German
government that great woriS-the
prevention of future wars-can be
begun only after the end OF the
present struggle"
Will Collaborate.
When the time comes, says the
answer. the German government will
be ready with pleasure 10 collaborate
with the United states.
The reply renews the offer made
by Chancellor Won Bethmann-Hoil-
veg on Dec. q, TO enter Immediately
into a peace conference.
The statement given out through
the Overseas News agency says:
The text OF the answer TO Pres't
Wilson's note was transmitted today
in Berlin 10 James W. Gerard. the
United States ambassador. and also
in Vienna. Sofia and Constantinopie
TO the American representative.
The reply says.
The high minded suggestion
made by the president % the United
States of America in order 20 create
a basis for the esta blishment OF a
lasting peace has been received and
considered by the imperial govern
ment in the friendly spirit expressed
in the presidents communication.
The president points out that
which ne has al heart and leaves
open the choice Of the road
Most Appropriate Road.
To the imperial government an
immediate exchange Of views seems
the most appropriate road I'm order
TO reach the desired result
Cd" IT therefore begs, IN the sense
of the declaration made on Dec. i.
which offered the hand for peace
negotiations. 10 propose Immediately
a meeting Of the beIligerent states
ar some neutral place.
Also. the imperial government
is Of the opinion that the great
work Of prevention Of future wars
can be begun only after the present
struggle Of nations. IL will. when
this moment shall have come. be
ready with pleasure 20 collaborste
entirely with the United States at
this exalted task
The answer finishes with the
usual terms OF diplomatic etiquette"
International News Service:
WASHINGTON. Dec %. In
formal explanation 10 the countries
OF the entente. reiteratlng that the
American note suggesting peace is in
no way connected with the offer Of
the Teutonic allies. Is more than
likely within a few days This was
learned today on official authority
following the receipt here OF unof-
fetal Information that the Petrograd
has looked askance az
the Wilson note because IL followed
so closely on the heels OF the leu
tonic communication.
The attitude adopted by Russia IL
not entirely unexpected 20 the ad-
ministration. however. nor is the
British attitude as indicated by a
portion OF the London press sup
posed TO reflect governmental senfi-
ment Pres't Wilson still bases mis-
hope for a more favorable consid-
GRAFTON OF his suggestion on the
opinion Of the people OF the entente
governments. which viii not make
itself apparent so quickly OF denn-
itely as the views OF the govern
ments themselves
More Neutrais 20 Join.
IL IS expected that within short
time more neutral countries viii ed
the force % their suggestions %
those already made by the United
CONTINUED OK PAGE THREED