The Topeka state journal., 1916-12-13
Refusal of HandShake To Be
Followed by Mailed Fist.
Berlin Not Sanguine That Allies
viii Accept.
IT'S PEACE OR WAR TO HILT"
Ready to Convince Enemy Offer
Not Sign of Weakness.
Reichstag AdiOurns, Leaving
Government Free Hand.

Berlin. Dec 13.-If Germany's bid
for peace is rejected by the entente
powers it is certain the central en-
pires will not take the initiative again
to end the war.
The public today voiced complete
appreciation of the imperial chancel-
lor's solemn warning in the reichstag
Yesterday that if Germanys enemies
continue the war it is because they
have conquest in mind. Such belief
imbues the general public with an in
flexible determination to fight on to
the bitter end against any dismember-
ment of the Fatherland
The hopes of the German people are
whole hearted, but if the present pro-
posal is scorned. the rejection of the
plan for a discussion of terms would
serve to cement the empire more fully
in its determination and to dispel
peace talk and speculation which has
been 'currNnt.
Berlin newspa pers were not SAN
gune today that the peace offer would
be accepted, altho app!auding the
chancellor's steps The comment of
Editor Theodore Wolff of the Tage-
blatt is typical:
Warming TO Entente.
IF the opposing governments should
them as a sign of weakness and suf-
fering. the people will once more ask
themselves whether they are not being
driven senselessly and without urgent
need to new sacrifices and renewed
massacres.
THE German people, if their op-
ponents answer in the negative. will
see clearly il is their duty to bear the
heavy burden, or heavier burdens, so
long as there is no possibility of agree
HI slN1
peace"
Die Post warns the entente 'ff Ger
many's hand is refused, her fist will
soon be felt with increased force"
The editorial also suggests that
Germany's own peace offers indicate
there is no necessity of neutral ma
uons' offers for peace.
Ready to Submit Demands
Berlin, Dec I .. via London, Dec. 13.
-Altho Chancellor Won Bethmann-
Hollweg did not disclose the definite
proposals on which Germany and her
allies are prepared to make peace in
his speech before the reichStag such
proposals are ready and will be com
municated to the entente powers if
the chancellor's offer should fall upon
responsive ears.
The chancellors speech in the
reichstag yesterday was not marked
10y single expression OF dissent while
the significant passages were greeted
with hearty braves and cheers. 1t
was noticeable however, that Count
I'riderich Yon Westarp. the conserva-
tive leader, and others of his follow
ing. sat silent and unmoved. even
when the galleries and newspapermen
Joined demonstratiVely in the ap-
plause.
Some of the opponents of the chan
celior are opposed to any movement
in the direction of peace except on
the basis of Woe to the CONQUERED"
Most members of the reichstag, how
ever, express the opinion that the en-
perors decision vas wise and timely
and showed pleasure at the formal
step taken toward ending the war.
The indefinite adjournment of the
reichstae, by its own decision~ leaves
the government a free hand to CON
duct further negot ations and is re-
earded as tantamount to a vote of
confidence.
Put It Up to Allies
Berlin. Dec. 13.-Germanv has not
asked neutral powers to start peace
negotiations. The American en-
bassy's understanding is that she has
merely asked neutral powers to in
form the nations of the entente that
the central powers are willing to dis
cuss peace-putting up to the allies
the acquiescence or refusal of the ten
q.