The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-12-14
MESSAGE or
PEACE RECEIVED
CONTINUED from page ID

is near, and there is no idea or at
tempting to expedite settlement.
1t is recognized that such actor
j on the part Of this government would
! probably. be resented. 1t Is also
i recogpjzed, however that some time
the first draft of demands must DC
! submitted and it is looked upon as
| in the interest OF humanity in gen.
eral that this preliminary step should
| be made as early as possible.
| The United Press learns that the
| administration has considered the ef-
| feet of an Incorporating rejection
| on public sentimant in the United
| States, and particularly as to the ef-
| feet of such reply on American
Investors in allied securities. Wash
ington believes q majority of Ameri-
cans want peace in Europe. although
they do not want the United States to
butt in: with mediation.
Allies Attitude Awaited.
by Robert j. Bender, United Press
Staff Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Dec. 14.-Should
Premier Lloyd-George next tuesday
express to parliament and the world
willingness to at least discuss Ger
many's peace proposals. Preside ut
Wilson will offer his services in the
situation, his closest advisers said
today. On the contrary. If the new
British premier continues his policy
Of fighting to Knockout las he
recently expressed it to the United
Press-the president probably Will
keep aloof or limit his expression to
a hope that the present opening may
develop into a serious consideration
of peace soon.
But today the president kept his
silence and awaited word as to the
allies attitude.
Those close to him emphasized the
possibility of a world guaranty OF
peace arising from present develop
ments, through an International peace
enforcem ent league.
Unotficial indications of the allied
attitude to date have not been en-
couraging. especially French Premier
Brands warning against Germany's
overtures as a source of possible
poisoning" of the public mind.
The president will be sure that
something definite and final is pos
sible before taking any step in peace
negotiations, one official close to Will
son said today. you may count on
it that there will be nothing precipi-
tate-nothing that does not cary
with it some assurance Of success.
And it must be peace that will
stick.
Sent Note to Allies.
TBy Robert ]. Bender, United Press
Staff Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Dec. 14.-Amer-
ica's first step toward carrying out
the wishes of Germany and the CEN
trail powers through their diplomatic
representative in entente allied CAPT
tails was taken today. Within few
hours after receipt of the official text
of the Teuton peace proposals. which
was almost identical with the text
carried in press dispatches. Secretary
Lansing at the presidents order, de-
spatched it to London, Paris, Petro-
grad, Toxic and to the provisional
capitals OF Rumania, Serbia and Bel
GUM.
The United States represents Ger
many in Belgium, Russia, Great
Britain, France, Japan, Serbia aud
Rumania. She represents Austria
Hungary in the same countries. She
represents Turkey In Great Britain,
France and Japan.
The German communication to her
enemies was sent without any sus-
gestions or comment by the president.
This action completely fulfilled the
request the central empires made On
the United States.
The state department said ofhclally
that the allies would understand mat
this government is ready to transient
anv answer to Germany without The
necessity of making any definite offer
to do so.
Representatives Of two neutral ma
lions Switzerland and Spain, made
messengers for Germany for her
neace proposals, >called today on Sec
retarv Lansing. They stated they had
INST received the text of the German
note.