The Washington times., 1916-12-13
CONGRESSMEN ARE
HOPEFUL FOR PEACE
Optimistic Talk Heard In corri-
dors and Cloak Rooms
Of the House.

Germany's peace overtures caused
hopeful discussion In the corridors
and cioakrooms Of the House today,
and leaders OF the lower chamber were
inclined to be optimistic over the out
look for the end OF the war.
That tho President now has an op-
portunity to OFFER his services as q
peacemaker was the view OF Speaker
Champ Clark, who contended that
whenever any beliigerent suggests
peace terms q long step has been
taken toward the cessation OF hostili.
ties.
Menbers Intersstes.
Members OF the House Committee on
Foreign Affairs were decidedly In.
terested In the peace proposals, al.
though extended comment was with.
held pending official notice OF Ger.
many's proposition,
Congressman Claude Kitchin, Demo.
cratic floor leader OF the House. said:
"The situation appears very encour.
aging. believe that IL the belliger.
ents meet In a peace conference an
agreement will be reached. Germany
has seized an opportune moment TO
make her advances because she is ap-
parentiy flushed with the success OF
her Roumanian movements. though
neitner siue mas uit.inct-so .hntesN
over the other, considerinE the war
as a whole.
Power 4. E.a w.r.
'If the entente powers refuse TO
consider this peace proposal ] believe
public sentiment will veer TO the Ger.
man side Of the question. The oppor.
tunity appears 20 be there TO end this
war. granting that Germany 10 willing
to make the terms outlined In dis
patches today"
Chairman Hal ID. Flood, OF the For.
eign Affairs Committee. said the dovei.
opments OF the day were highly
gratifying" but he could not forecast
the outcome without further Informs
Congressman Charles Bennett Smith.
Democratic member OF the committee.
said;
expected and The nn nii,ss vii, III. ,sfs nns 1ns
seriously made and II largely for
home consumption. II do not know
that this country 10 now In position
to say what should be done. but the
proposal at least opens the way Tor
results.
Neither Has Mastery.
Neither side yet has mastery over
the other. i assume Germany event.
uaily will want 10 hold Serbia and
there may be other stumbling blocks.
However. /, hope that the end 10 In
Speaker Champ Clark asserted that
Germany's proposal opened the way
for the President TO offer his serv-
Ices.
ssmssr hi: SSod NOV. Stnes fas Ds.ss ,s the
step toward peace. and when one bell
iiEerent makes an offer peace 10 In
sight. IL the beliiEerents can be got
ten Into conference the war will be
many was understood TO be willing
to make peace leaving the map as II
had been reshaped by the war. II re-
ports are true she will now make
more favorable terms and this 10 en-
shsuid Do Evsrythias.
Congressman Adoiph ]. SABBATH. ma
jorlty member OF the Foreign Affairs
Committee. said the United States
shoI,s ,si s. do all o In Its p0wssr Ds TO further
In Europe impossible"
Peace. II effected, he said, should
be OF a permanent nature"
81 do not think Germany can be
srsssman Jeff McIsmors. more author OF
the famous resolution OF last session
TO warn Americans off armed mer-
chsntmen.
ANY. proposal made by Germany
should be given the most serious con-
alteration under the circumstances to-
day. ! hope her move will bring re-
Congressman Warren Worth Bailey.
q Bryan follower. commented that
peace suggestions should be well
coined from any source: the whole
world wants TO see an end OF this
war"
Hspes Terms Are rsssisIe.
Congressman stephen @. Porter, q
Republican member OF the Foreign
Affairs Committee. expressed the hope
that "Germany's terms will be such
that the war can be ended"
II hope that Germany's offer 10 In
good faith" said Congressman Henry
A. Cooper, ranking Republican OF the
"and that II will be re-
ceived in good faith by the allies. u
believe all the beliigerent nations
really want peace. and the neutral
nations should do everything possible
to bring about an end OF this strug-
Qlen