The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1916-12-12

be included in the Independent king
dom, but that none of Poland held by
Germany before the war would be SO
included.
May include Messopotamia.
| Messopotamia, these diplomats ex-
pect would be claimed for Germany
and Austria to give them an unbroken
line to the Persian Gulf. Such an ar
rangement they say, would threaten
Great Britain's control Of Egypt and
| India
In Serbia all OF the country as far
| south as Nish, would, according to
this plan. be awarded to Bulgaria 1t
would take from Serbia as much ter
rtory as she gained in the Balkan
wars. AS regards Turkey the allied
diplomats here have no idea what the
peace plan might propose. but they are
of the opinion that Turkish interests
will be secondary interests.
In the redistribution of colonies IL
is expected that Germany will ask to
have her conquered outposts returned
to her or might propose to exchange
them for some of the French colonies.
Whether the U. S. would give any
suggestion or comment, it was stated.
depends entirely upon the nature of
the proposal and whether it is consid-
cred likely of consideration. II the
offer is deemed one which all sides
might negotiate. the U. S. probably
would urge that it be taken up.
Will Transmit Proposal.
In transmitting the proposals it was
officially stated the United States
probably would follow the practice
which has been in variable so far in
acting as the medium of communica-
tion between the hostile governments
and would not make them public.
Terms would. of course, be known to
President Wilson and Secretary Lans-
ing who would examine them to deter
mine whether they should be accom-
panied by any word from the United
States.
The news was practically the only
topic of discussion among the men,
bers of congress as they assembled
for the days session A regular cabi-
net meeting was scheduled this aft
ernoon at the White House and there
was no doubt it would be discussed
there. The foreign embassies and
legations received their first informa-
tion of the event through Associated
Press dispatches. On every hand The
discussion turned to what had moved
Germany and her allies to make their
proposals at this time. Although for
many weeks there have been persist
ent and officially denied reports that
some peace proposal was about to be
made by President Wilson there was
no open indication that the central
powers themselves were about to
make one. Generally the announce
ment was distinct surprise through
official and diplomatic circles.
One prevailing opinion was that the
Germanic allies had brought out their
peace offer at this time with the xe-
pectation Of making trems which
might be acceptable to the allies OF
England and in effect might possibly
cause the British government to
yield to the pressure of the nations
fighting with her.
In this connection the recent crisis
in Russia, in which the Duma inter
fered to prevent the negotiations of a
separate peace with Germany, was re-
called as an indication of what the
German foreign Office might be look
Ing forward to in peace negotiations.
1t has been generally acknowledged
in entente ally circles that efforts
would be made by Germany to con-
clude peace separately with her ene-
mics but so far all the entente nations
have reiterated their intention to ad-
here to their agreement made early
in the war not to make separate
peace.
The recent death of the Austrian
emperor. Francis Joseph. and the sue
cession of King Charles to the throne
Of the dual monarchy also was dis
cussed as one OF the considerations
which might have been a factor in
bringing out peace proposals at this
time.
The United States represents Aus
tria and Germany in Belgium, France,
Great Britain, Japan, Russia, Serbia,
and Rumania; represents Turkey in
France, Great Britain and Japan; has
taken over Bulgarian interests no.
where and does not represent any of
the belligerent governments in Italy,
Portugal or Montenegro.
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