The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-12-14
WILSON REACHES No DECISION
ON COURSE J.. s. WILL FOLLOW
WITH REFERENCE TO
GERMAN PEACE OFFER
Official Note From Germany
Has Not Yet Reached State
Department

WASHINGTON, D. c., Dec. 13.-
Serious consideration is being given
BY President Wilson to the possibility
that\ any exchange of views that may
follow the peace proposals OF the Cen
tral powers to the Entente Allies may
develop an opportunity TO bring FOR
ward the suggestion for league or
nations to enforce permanent peace.
He has reached no decision, however,
as to the course to be followed by the
United States. and probably will not
pending the arrival Of the official tele-
gram containing the communication
handed Charge Grew by the German
government. :,
The telegram had not been received
at the State Department tonight, and
in the meantime all officials were most
reticent about discussing the situation.
|, is understood that the. communlca-
ton will be transmitted promptly 10
the entente governments. regardless OF
what attitude may be adopted by the
United States, and for this reason
there is a general belief that any steps
taken by the United States on it's own
account will come after formal dellT-
cry of the proposals from one set OF
belligerents to the other.
It is realized that the American
course probably must be guided largely
by the reception given the Ieutonlc
offer in the entente countries, although
it is regarded as certain that either in
formally or formally. quietly or public
" the government here will hnd
way Of displaying its interest IN the
restoration Of peace.
Time Will EIapse.
Most officials think that consid-
erable time will elapse after the COM
iruunication is delivered before form,
al reply is framed by the Allies, ana
that in the meantime a very clear
idea of what that reply is to De anu
how any attempt at mediation by neu.
trails would be viewed will be gained
through diplomatic channels
The trend Of public opinion IN Great
britain. France and Russia IS being
followed closely, and the American
ambassadors in those countries nave
been instructed to forward promptly
any available indication OF onlclA
views.
ference on the subject today, ana tnat
was with Col E. NJ; house ms per
sonal friend and adviser. 1t was sug-
cested during the day that the Presl-
dent might discuss the situation IN
general terms before the annual coz
ference of Governors here tomorrow.
hnt he had not decided tonight wheth-
or he would accept an invitation to ad'
dress the governors and had gwen
no indication Of what might De the
subject II he did speak.
Much interest Is felt here IN the
sneech to be delivered tomorrow night
at St. Louis before the League 10 En-
force Peace by Senator Stone, char
man Of the Senate Foreign Relations
committee: There is no understand
ing. however, that the senator, II ne
touches upon the latest deVelopmen1
will do so as a spokesman or the ao'
ministration-
eernstorff to Visit Lansing.
Count Won -Bernstorff, the German
ambassador, probably will visit Secre-
tary Lansing in a day or two 1or tne
purpose Of seeking some lnd1catlon OF
the views Of the United States. ne
has no specific instructions from MS
government on this point, and no ols-
patch regarding the peace proposals
has been received by the embassy dur
inp the last "a hours. The amoasSa-
do1 however. is keeping his govern
ment Informed of prevailing opinion on
the question in America.
At least one diplomat representing
neutral nation in Washington mas
banned to ask his &c nment to au-
thorize him to present in its behalf 10
president Wilson assurances or sup
port in any move designed to secure
consideration by the Entente Allles OF
the offer to discuss peace. Other Up
resentatiyes Of neutral nations nave
Similar action under consideration. :,
In Teutonic diplomatic quarters II
vas reiterated tonight that Germany
ernects neutrals, especially those IN
Europe, to do everything possible to
hrinr about at least discussion Q.
Deace terms. No information regard,
Ing the intentions of Switzerland and
Spain, the other neutral nations
through which the proposals are Delng