Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-12-13
wAsHrNGToN. Dec. 10

what part the United states viii play
! In furthcring Germnnys suggestion for u
| peace parley is undetermined
But these three big IDEAS toward 1t are
| in official minds:
That England and her allies ought
at least 10 discuss the offer,
That any settlement, especially In
Germany's present frame of mind
would have to be backed by world
guaranty OF peace
That the United States will not be
stampeded In this case
ON the whole the sentiment here ls that,
at present, the United States ought merely
to be messenger boy" for Germany ana
pass on her proposals,
President Wilson is undecided he has not
even told his Cabinet what he thinks. But
his closest followers believe that this ma
tipn ought to know what the Allies think OF
the offer before taking any move Further
more. they say frankly they believe Eng
land will scorn the offer especially II based
on the terms announced by German Em-
baasy official. In these circumstances
Americas course must be cautious officials
hold
while the Administration feels certain
that England will not now accept Ger
many'a proposals as outlined, IL attaches
great Importance 10 the fact that these pro-
posnls may form the entering wedge for
peace or peace parley.
A State Department official pointed out
that whatever may happen the proposals
will give food for thought and a basis upon
which TO deduce proposals or terms OF
settlement Inasmuch as this officially
starts the ball rolling the matter IL con-
sidered a vital proposition, thouBh ap-
parently destined to fail for the moment
one OF the foremost men In the councils
and confidence of President Wilson said to-
day that anything purporting to he Presi-
dent Wilson's idea now is fiction. The
President. he said. has not even contded
to his cabinet what he plans and indeed
has not yet decided. But the official view as
reflected by wilson's closest, advisers can
be stated thus
REJECTION SEEMS CERTAIN
ON the first point. the Administration
thinks the question Of peace so very ennr-
nous that II is worthy OF serious consdera-
tion. on the other hand. 1t feels convinced
already that the Allies win scorn the offer
But, be Germany's motive political, altru-
istic or greedy, the idea OF a step TO end
the war is too momentous TO be cast aside
without fullest official discussion, In these
circumstances the Government may lend It's
nnuenCe-secretly perhaps-to getting such
discussion But II VIII go cautiously be
fore putting itself on public record behind
Germsny's pToffer until II knows accurately
whether there can be the slightest chance
OF success
on the question OF a world guaranty of
peace officials think that dermany's terms
as revealed by a German embassy official
are such that only such an International
agreement could make them stick And
at this time they feel It is'doubtful II such
guaranty could be effected
The reasons for desiring world guaranty
are these
Germany would be well pleased to return
Hi1all la haffa he
war. But I'm addition she wants a way
into Asia Minor Her terms impose hard
ship upon Russia because she wants a
buffer between that great nation and her
eastern boundary. But such terms could
not be attained, probably, Hence, right
on that point the need OF a world guaranty
OF peace would arise. Yet there are other
cnnslderat ons Belgium would be restored,
but al a terrible sacrifice, There would be
no restitution for the raYages of war, un-
less. perhaps. Germany should buy, al an
enormous rate, the Belgian Congo as restl-
tuition measure.
Belgium's fate In the present war.
officials think. makes the idea OF world
guaranty OF peace even more essential than
perhaps do the questions OF possible threat
of Russia oYerrunning the German Empire.
Germany has aspirations IA Asia Minor
That Is why she leaves the settlement Of
Balkan problems 20 the peace conference
All hef terms alkAssA thR Att@u " hRftQ
guaranty. said the Presidents adviser. and
he doubted that this win be possible al this
time.
on the third pont-that OF no stampede !
the Administration feels that It ought |
not 20 be forced into any ridiculous position. |
II feels that II should know something OF |
what the Allies wish and are willing % |
do before making any Kind Of suggestion or /
onerz Of lts own.
rs,s s.r ,a.lsts nalst out ssrman,, has |
mads no oaieiai onsH ol general settlement |
terms other than tie outline presented - /
s German Embassy eiliclaA up 2 early