The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-12-13

tho allied governments be informed
that this Is her attitude.
In allied circles 1t was intimated
that the proposal was clever at
tempt to place the responsibility for
the continuance Of the war upon Ger
many's enemies IT was said that II
the proposal were not accepted Ger
many would then have an excuse for
adopting more drastic methods, es-
pecially with regard to the use OF
her submarines.
There Is good authority FOR saying
that 1t Is true II the offer Is spurned
Germany will resume the war with
greater violence than before. The
Germans will attempt to cut off the
English food supply by the use Of
submarines.
No Armisticc Probable.
The suggestion that an armistice
should be declared pending the dis
cussion of peace was dismissed to-
night by both allied and Teutonic
diplomats as extremely unlikely. 1t
was pointed out that the war was
economic as well as military, and that
while truce might be arranged in
military operations, 1t would be diff
ficult to arrange one that would not
permit Germany to revictual herself
and place herself in a position where
all that had been accomplished by
the allied blockade would be undone
Sole Topic OF Discussion.
Peace was practically the sole topic
of discussion when President Wilson
met with his cabinet today. Informal
discussion OF the proposals also occu.
pied most Of the attention of the
cabinet at the annual dinner in the
White House tonight. Colonel House.
the prppi6ont'C
subject of peace. was present. No
time will be lost in transmitting the
proposals to the capitals where Amer
lean diplomats are acting as the rep
resentatives of Germany. They are
expected to 60 forward by Thursday
or Friday.
Mixed feelings of hope and fear
were expressed by members OF the
House and Senate who discussed to-
day the German determination to
seek immediate and lasting peace.
Hope that the peace movement will
succeed, and fear that the time was
not opportune for the cessation of
hostilities. marked the comment on
the Berlin announcement But the
announcement brought forth clearly
the sentiment among American states
men that America desires the end of
the war. and wants it as soon as
pOSStulS.
Many men OF affairs who refused to
discuss the Berlin statement for pub
LEGATION made it clear that they feared
a new German move In world poll
tics that eventually would not make
for peace. Others were skepticaI not
as to good faith of Germany, but as to
the likelihood of the entente allies ac-
cepting an offer of peace negotiations
at this time. They pointed out that
Germany held the present advantages
In the strategic struggle. SO far as
conquered territory was concerned.
that the recent conquest of Rumania
had resulted in a far from a peaceful
attitude among the entente powers
and that Germany's enemies might
look upon her peace overtures as
sign OF weakness presaging defeat.
Despite these fears national legs-
lators generally expressed gratifica
ton at the first ray OF light that has
penetrated the European war cloud.
They declared that even II this effort
proved abortive. 1t was step in the
right direction and distinct advance
which might at least prove the begin
ming OF the end of the conflict.