Evening journal., 1916-12-14
GERMANY s OFFER
DISIRUSIED HERE
Neutrals Doubt, PacifiStS
Hope; Allies Friends
Are Scornful
WILL BE REJECTED
LAUZANNE SAYS

NEW YORK, Dec. l4.-Germany
peace offer aroused the keenest m
terest among neutrals, adherents of
the Allies and paclfsts. Neutrals be-
lioyed that. If sincere, the offer indi-
Gated a tremendous change OF heart
on Germany's part, and might lead 10
real peace negotiations Some OF
them, however, voiced the suspic on
that the proposal was intended for
home coasumpi ion. Members OF the
League 70 Enforce Peace expressed
hope and declared their readiness for
the campaign that must come with
the resumption of diplomatic rela~
tions.
Some OF those declared that the
proposal was made SIMPLY for tho
purpose Of rejection. that Germany
might have an excuse for even more
relentless measures than before. Pa
cihsts saw the dawn Of peace, and
could discern no reason for the re-
lection Of the terms.
Proposal Shows Change.
"The German peace proposals. -
said Hamilton Holt. editor OF The
Independent" certainly Indicate one
thing that a great change has come
over Germany. S X months ago Ger
many would not listen to suggestions
from some OF her own people that she
make a move for peace. Then Ger
many declared she wanted a military
decision. But she has evidently come
10 realize that she Is not the only
god on earth.
"Of course" continued Mr. Holt.
"these peace proposals may be a
purely political move Intended for
home consumption sort OF dipio-
matte bluff The test viii come when
she win be asked TO give guarantees
for the future peace OF the earth
That is what the Allies are fightin
for II she doesn't then Il Is for the
Allies 10 fight all the harder
''If she does give these guarantees
then all other questions will become
secondary ] would not say German
IS insincere. because Of the proposals
she has made. A man selling house
always asks a higher price than he
expects 10 get
"The future will determine n Ger
many Is sincere or whether she IS
playing a political role with the sole
view Of trying TO put the Allies In a
difficult position II she Is sincere
IN her desire for peace It means she
has come to a realization that reason
after all cannot be dispensed with,
and that force IS not the way 20 set
lie differences among civilized ma
tions."
In French and British circles in
this city the Teutonic peace overturei
were scoffed az as insincere and char
actcrizcd as bid for the sympathy o
neutral nations
"The German proposals." said on'
representative Englishman. were in
tended for consumption among the
neutral nations. II ia clever piece
OF German propaganda work-nothins :
more But u will fa'i OF It's purnose.
II IS TOO thin not 10 be seen through
"Cernanv is counting on their re-
lection. and to me II has all the ear
marks Of the 'fr'ehtfuiness' advo-
Gates Germany wants TO resume her
U-boat warfare and viii seize uDon
the rejection of her nronosals as an
excuse for its resumntion. England
and her Allies will never consent TO
such terms"
Said q Fronch ciuzon'
mot Frenchman WIN think %
lavino down his arms until he Is az
surod that Aloace-T orra'nn win he re-
stored TO France. The German terms
are impossible
"Germany's latest proposal foi
peace will not receive a moment ser.
ious consideration by any OF the I'm
tente All es."
This Was the comment made bl
stephen Lauzanne, editor-in-chief o.
the Paris "Matin," when interviewed
last night in the Hotel Vanderbilt.
"The Allies would reply TO the Ger
man peace offers with silence II thel
could" he continued "But, out o
courtesy TO the neutral powers WHIT
will present the German peace terms
the Allied Governments will, o
course, have to answer. Then w
shall be entertained by an interesting
situation.
what viii the people or German!
think and what will they say whel
they find that an official peace one
by Germany has been turned dowI
nat7 The German people want peac'
now. and want IL badly.
Want Germany Punished.
fixCo fho hilfaa ara nof Hphffnr fo