The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-12-28
EXPECT GOOD.
TOCOMEFROM.
NEGOTIATIONS
Despite Germany's Refusal
to State Terms Officials
Are Still Hopeful.
BELIEVE ALLIES
TO FIRST REFUSE
Though Until Door to Peace
Is Actually Closed U. S.
VIII Continue Efforts.
Rr ASSOCIATED pREaa.


Washington, Dec. 27.-Despite the
vide gulf between the insistence Of
Che central powers for an immediate
peace conference and the forecast Of
unanimous refusal b. the entente to
epter such a conference without
knowing Gerrdany's terms the Amer
lean government believes present ne
gotiations are resulting in good.
At any rate until the door to peace
is actually closed, President Wilson
will continue to hope that any discus
sion of the subject viii tend to hasten
the end of the war.
Ambassador Won Bernstorf tonight
authorized the following statement:
"I regard the note of my government
as constituting an acceptance of ev-
erything suggested by President VIII
son in his note to the belligerents."
It was made known a. the embassy
that Germany stands ready to make
known her terms the first day Of any
conference that may be held.
German diplomats think the presi-
dent had no intention of drawing a
public declaration Of the terms from
the central powers.
It is a growing belief here that the
allies will declare there must be a
military solution to the war.
A London dispatch today, as well as
intimations from Paris, Rome and
Petrograd inferring that the allies
Acould not discuss peace until they hold
tthe territoEies they considered essen
Ntial to their futures were taken. The
indications are that the allies want to
wait for reversal Of the present mil
itary situation.
The United States undoubtedly is
expected by Germany to transmit the
sense of her reply to the entente bel
ligerents and the immediate outcome
depends upon whether the allies vii
modify their determination not to en-
ter a conference before terms have
been laid down. 1t was pointed oui
that the way had not been closed fol-
Germany to state terms as the allie:
demand. In diplomatic negotiation
of such magnitude and scope official:
do not look for results to be immedi.
ately apparent, but expect the way
to be paved carefully and slowly.
The next move will not be deter
mined until after the official text o.
the reply has been received and care
fully considered President Wilson
will discuss it thoroughly with tn,
cabinet, probably Friday.
Some officials pointed out that tn,
United States could do nothing fur
Their and could not decide on a cours,
1until the allies have also replied t,
the note. Their answer has been fore
cast by entente diplomats here as ,
courteous recognition of the presi
dents purposes and ideals, but prob
ably firm refusal to enter into con
ference without having terms ad
vanced first.
Officials acknowledged their disap
polntment over Germany's failure t
reply directly to the presidents sug
gestion that terms be laid down, Blu
were inclined to hold to the view tina
the door to negotiations must neces
sarily remain open until the allie
themselves close it. There was care
fully studied attitude of refusing t
make any statement that might b
considered official, and an evident in
clination to view the situation a
hopefully as possible.
London, Dec. 27.-England an
France have fully agreed upon tn
terms Of the reply to be made +
TeItonic peace proposals. the Asso
ciated Press learned from the foreiv
office today.
There is hope here that it may h
dispatched by the end of the week. b.
other entente nations, althoup
agreed in principle may require alte
atoms that will necessitate delay.
1t is expected once this reply is fo
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