Evening star., 1916-12-12
Germans Hope Offer
Will Bring Conference

in the neutral diplomats and Transmitting
the peace proposals of the central powers
arrived soon after the news dispatches
Ihe terms for the restoration of Belgium
and portions OF France gave no indication.
SO far as is known. of stipulations such
as generally have been expected by the
allies. although they did not absolutely
dispose of their possibility. .,,.-,-rs
Il vas indicated that while the Ger
man -Hffes might not entirely expect
a peace conference. they were not with !.
out nope that they wotid, and they
were hopeful. at lesst, that they would
De the means of getting the belliger-
ehIs together in some manner to dis
cuss the situation, and this, it was ex-
pected. would lead to a basis for peace.
Possible Reasons for Proposals.
In German quarters the crisis in the
British cabinet, the coming Of winter
and the lull In the fighting are given,
as reasons for making the peace pro-
posals at this time. 1t is declared that
the successes of the Teutonic arms in
Rumania should convince the allied
powers that the offer is not made be-
cause of any military weakness BY
making the offer now, it is said, the
German powers feel that all sides may
be saved the preparations for the spring
campaign.
Should the offer be declined. it is
| said here, it will be made again next
| fall and If necessary the fall after that.
Would Force "Show-Down."
| Another of the objects. 1t is explained
by German diplomats. is to force a
| Showdown and establish whether
|
peace or whether it is their intention to
| crush Germany and disJnember her
| Germany, they say, is convinced OF
| the ability and strength of her ene-
mics to continue the war on its present
or even greater scale for ten years, If
f! necessary. and is no less confident OF
her own ability to do SO.
| 1t Is regarded here as unlikely that
any peace conference would be held in
the United States. 1t is more likely to
go to Bern or The Hague. There have
been indications that unless it was
| found absolutely necessary to keen
Count Won Bernstorf, the German am
bassador. in this country. he might &c
to the conference as one of his coun-
! try's representatives
| View of Entente Diplomats.
Among the entente diplomats here
Germany's offer was pronounced to be
OF double purpose and unlikely of ac-
ceptance. The first purpose, the ally
representatives declare, is to affect the
world opinion of neutrals and place
upon the entente powers the response
bihty for continuing the war in the face
declare. is for the internal effect in
Germany, and to give evidence to the
| people that the government was ready
TO end the war. but was forced to con-
tinue by her enemies
Timed to Follow Victory.
The peace offer. the ally diplomats also
say, has been timed to follow the military
victory which eliminated In the fall of
Bucharest. which in itself is relied unon
to convince the people that they should
lack no confidence in the ability of the
government to continue the war, If peace
offers are declined.
| While without official information of the
terms proposed by the central powers.
the ally diplomats here believe tfev are
somewhat after the general nature of the
| following:
| Germany to restore the occupied
portions of Belgium and France buf
not Alsace and Lorraine The restora
| ton of Belgium. however. is expected
to be accompanied by terms which
| would give Germany control of Ant.
| werp and what the entente allies de.
| clare would be a practical military con
troll Of the country. They expect also
| that in restoring the occupied portions
of France. Germany would seek to
retain economic control Of the rich iron
, country and stipulate that no restric.
| tions be placed on free expectation OF
the raw materials she needs. SO much
| View as to Poland.
As regards Poland, the entente rep
resentatives expect that all the terri
tory conquered from Russia would be
included In the Independent kingdom,
but that none of Poland held by Ger
many before the war would be SO in
cluded.
.Mesopo9lbia. the diplomats expect,