The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-12-14

|
that Germany could not be depended
| upon to keep her word 1t was pre-
dcted that the formal rejection would
| point to the invasion of Belgium by
Germany as proof that her word was
vaiueless
Expressions of more optimistic
character were obtained AT the German
! embassy. A strong hope and expec-
tatiou that the allies would consent
To talk peace was voiced there. This
hope was based on the belief that the
peopl" themselves in the various war
ring countries want peace It was be-
leved this evening the governments
would be unable TO resist the popular
pressure in favor of cessation Of
hostilities.
1t was intimated that the German
rote purposely fails to name terms In
order to deprive the entente allies of
| an excuse to reject the offer.
The announcements that Great Bri-
tain speaking for her allies may reply
to the proposal by stating the only
terms upon which she viii agree to
discuss peace. was not taken seriously
I'm German diplomatic circles The
point was made that no conference of
, the character proposed had ever been
successful, where the terms were per-
mitted to become the subject of pub
lie debate
In the event OF agreement for a
peace conference it is not believed il
could be held before the middle of
January The probable meeting place.
ii was generally agreed would be The
Hague,
AT the state Department 1t was
learned that no foreign correspondence
is being sent out in which would in
any way conflict or retard the move
mtnt fer peace. 1t is understood that
action IN the Marina and Arabia cases
were being held up for fear they might
interfere with the more important is
sue.
Won't Discuss Note.
Secretary Lansing declined to dis
cuss the German note on the ground
that the official Information from
Chancellor Bethmann- Hollweg had not
been received. The delay in transmits
sion he said. was not unusual as 1t
frequently takes from thirty-six to
forty-eight hours to get coded com
muuication OF such length through
from Berlin
1t was explained that the note would
come via Copenhagen where it would
be relayed TO England. A second. and
possibly third relay has been made
necessary by war conditions before
tic cables.
Opinion in official circles Is widely
divergent as to the probable course
to be pursued by President Wilson Al
the state Department the View WAS
expressed by one official that the Pres
ident cannot do more at this stage than
transmit the communication from the
central powers to the entente group.
To do more. as third official sees it,
would he to invite the emba rrassing
consequence of rejection.
Regardless of these considerations
there is widespread feeling in ad-
nnistration circles that President
Wilson will not neglect what may be
the last opportunity in long time
to put forward a word for peace.
An opinion which met with much
support in diplomatic circles was that
! Germany would be willing to have an
agreement reached for the establish
ment of league OF neutral nations.
In this connection 1t was pointed out
The Vatican alone has been requested
TO take an active interest in urging
n peace movement
Master Move in strategy.
The opinion that Germany's proposal
is master move in strategy extends
to Congress In quarters where only
yesterday debate was cast over the
sincerity of news from Berlin II was
today considered as the most important
world development since the original
declaration of war.
Effort has been made to prevent the
introduction OF resolutions which
might In any way embarras the Chief
Executive. number of Congressman
called at the executive offices during
the day and expressed confidence in
I the Presidents ability to accomplish
the greatest possible result in the in =
terest of peace.
Senator Chamberlain. of the Foreign
Relations Committee discussed the Eu-
ropean situation with the President
during the afternoon. On leaving the
White House he said he was in favor
of a communication from this gov
eminent to the entente allies urging
the acceptance of the proposal to talk
peace.