Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1916-12-13
Offer of Peace by Germany Opens Way for Neutral
 Nations to Act.
ANY STEP TAKEN
 WILL BE DELICATE
Possible That Part United States Takes In Urging Consideration of Peace Proposal May Never Be
 Known Should Allies Decline.

Washington, Dec. 12. - Germany's proposal for peace is regarded here as having broken the chain which for months has restrained the United States as we'll as other neutrals from making offers of mediation. Now that one set of belligerents has signified it's willingness to discuss peace terms, a condition often reiterated as neces- sary to any action by President Will son, there are indications that when the United States acting as intermedi- ary, transmits the German proposal it may accompany it's action by some step, necessarily delicate, to throw the influence of the United States into the balance for at least consideration, however preliminary, of the terms on which lasting peace might be brought to the world. Some ranking officials of the government believe that a league of nations, such as President Wilson has suggested, must be the outcome and it could not be perfected without the participation of the United States.
 Whether the United States will transmit the German proposal with out any comment whatever or accom- pauy it with some formal or informal expression will not be finally decided until the note, delivered to American Charge Grew in Berlin, reaches Presi- dent Wilson, probably tomorrow.
 There were indications tonight that President Wilson might find some way to express the solemn and earnest wish of the United States for careful Consideration of the suggestion of peace even before the entente govern Iments have made known their attitude toward the German proposal. This. it was pointed out, necessarily would be done in such delicate and ultra con- fidential way that it would not be publicly known should the allies de- cline the offer. This course was said to be absolutely necessary so as to leave the United States free and un- embarrassed to act when an accept able peace offer comes.
 Regardless of whether President Wilson decides to accompany the Ger man proposal with any offer, it was said tonight he would unquestionably take steps to learn the attitude of the entente allies toward peace move ment, and might again send to Europe his friend and personal representative,
 
 Col. D. M. House.
 Wilson and Lansing Silent.
 None of the official dispatches had arrived tonight. The government s first information was contained in the Associated Press dispatch from Ber- lin. President Wilson was said to be deeply interested but reserving com. ment. Secretary Lansing maintained a similar attitude,
 The cabinet discussed developments at the regular Tuesday meeting, but the situation was described by mem. bers as so obviously delicate that nc announcement could be made.
 Absence of special terms of peace in the German proposal was a dis. appointment to those who expected some concrete expression of basis or which negotiations might begin. The German embassy is in possession o1 advices which outline in a general way what Germany expects, and the diplo mats of the entente powers, thru thei1 means of obtaining information, be- ieve they have general idea of wha' terms the central powers are willing to advance to form basis for the dis cussion of peace.
 January Should Show Progress.
 The, whole German idea, of the peace move is that it is step toward thu discussion of peace terms which, if i amounts to anything, ought to show definite progress early in January.
 There is said to be no possibility o peace conference being held in thu United States. Berne and The Hagu' are mentioned as most likely places and it is not doubted that Count vol Bernsdorff, the German ambassador would go as one of his country's rep resentat}ves.
 His attitude was expressed tonigh in an official statement, as follows: A "I am, of course, extremely grati fled at the step that has been taken