The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-12-29
GERMANY FOR
PEACE THOUGH
ALLIES REJECT
Germany Suggests Conf
dental Exchange of
Peace Plans!
OFFICIAL TEXT OF
NOTE is RECEIVED
Germany Welcomes Interest
of Switzerland and Es-
pecially United States.
az ASSOCIATED PRESS

BY ASSOCIATED PRESS.
, Washington, Dec. 2S.-Germany, it
was made known here today, will not
permit the road to peace negotiations
to be blocked by a refusal of the
entente belligerents to enter con-
ference without prior knowledge of
her terms.
The central powers are represented
as willing to permit a confidential
exchange of broad tentative terms
through President Wilson, should it
become necessary to do so to bridge
the gap which threatens to prevent a
gathering of peace delegates. There
were broad limitations today that a
statement of this position by Ger
many either had been communicated
to the United States government or
soon would be.
Confidential Exchange of Terms.
The official text of Germany's re-
ply to President Wilson's note arriv-
ed today and it was declared that no
confidential communication from AM
bassador Gerard accompanied it.
There are indications, however, that
a confidential statement of Ger
many's position if made, would come
through the ambassador. 1t has been
announced in advance, however, that
it would not be made public.
Germany, it was said today, is
looking to the United States to, make
every effort to bring about peace
conference and to that end is ready
to consider any suggestions from the
president. AS the case stands now,
the German government considers it
has met all the suggestions in the
presidents note and statement to
that effect has been made by Count
Won Bernstorff, the German ambas-
sador.
Germany Needs. U. S. :.
Germany, it is stated authorita-
lively, never has believed that acting
alone, she would be able TO bring
about conference and now that the
influence of neutrals has been
brought to bear, German officials
have taken their views step further
and believe they cannot be success
full without the assistance of the Uni
ted States. They believe that the
United States, in view of its vita
interests in the settlement of the
war, would not be adverse to partici.
pating, because it has been repre-.
scented as desiring most of all to see
the peace terms make provision fol
hn frTfr - 4
Without participation by the United
States in that phase, it is felt the
results would be without effect.
There were intimations today that
Germany's position on all these point:
had been conveyed by Foreign Min,
lister Zimmerman to Ambassador
4 Gerard and that Germany's term.
were probably conveyed in the high
est confidence for the information O
President Wilson.
No Publicity to Terms.
1t was said today that German,
had no intention of asking the entent
to make public its terms and at tn,
same time would not publicly divulg
hers on any consideration. The viev
expressed in German circles here i
that the Teutonic terms when. lai,
before the entente delegates will b
such as to admit of their acceptances
Count Won Bernstorff reiterate,
again today that he felt conferenc
would result from the present situa
ton.
Germany's position Is represente
as one of willingness 10 fmpart he
terms in a confidential manner frs
if that is absolutely necessary to
conference, but still preferring to re
serve them for presentation at
round table, where they could be dis
cussed with more freedom.
Berlin, Dec. 2S.-In reply to tn
Swiss note suggesting peace dis
cussion, the German government, in
memorandum sent forward toda.
welcomes the action of Switzerlan,
Referring to its reply to the Unite
, States, the German note says eth
imperial government has informed tn
president of the United States ths
3 direct exchange of views seems I
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