New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-27
Mediation" a Fizzle,
Opinion of Officials
and Diplomats
GERMANY DODGES
ON WORLD LEAGUE
Would Consider Perma-
nent Peace After Present
War Is Ended
.Fsom Tho Tribune Bureau

Washington, Dec. 26.-The text OF
the German reply to the peace nots
Of President Wilson, containing no
suggestion Of the terms for which
he asked, but merely following the
line 10 which utterance has been
given repeatedly by German repre-
sentatives in the United States, only
strengthens Washington belief that
nothing will come of the present Ger
man desire for peace which, as soon
as it was expressed, was so vigorous
~ backed by the government OF the
United States.
Washington belief" in this in
stance. is made up Of the opinions
of American officials as well as dip
lomats. II may be stated that with
out fear Of very vigorous contradlc-
ton that some of the Presidents
closest advisers here are Of the opln-
ion that peace has been brought no
rearer by the Wilson offer Of media
ton. which il was, in effect. As one
prominent German here expresses IT,
"the note means mediation or 1t
means nothing
Actuated by U-Boat Fear
The President declared that the
note was not an offer to mediate.
Therefore the prominent German
must be driven to the conclusion that
il means nothing. As peace move
he undoubtedly is correct. But no
body in Administration circles can
be found who will deny. even prl
vately. that the motive for the dis
match of the peace note was the fear
il the mind Of the President that
,he Germans are about 70 rene"
their policy OF submarine frightful'
ness.
One week sas passed since tho
President dispatched his peace note
after two "authoritative deniais' that
snv such move was contemplated had
been caused 20 be sent from Washing
ton.
Five days nave gone by since the
Secretary Of state told the truth be
hind the sending Of the note-that the
United States .ss on the verge Of way.
Undeniably. II is becoming the set'ied
conviction here that this government
has acted to reinforce the German po-
sition because Germany threatens to
attack the United States and every
bodv else if peace is not forthcoming
Britain Prepares for Attacks
The fact that Germany is ready TO
multiply her under seas warfare has
been known to this government for
non.hs. The Wilson Administrator
does not want TO eat it's words SO
bravely expressed in the interchanse
of notes at tSs time OF the Sussex IN
cideut. But Il will come to that or
breaking of OF friendly relations un-
less peace negotiations are interposed.
The British government By It's prep
arations for the use OF Halifax, de-
spite the meagre facilities there for
expediting shipping and despite IN"
perils Of navigation in entering ths'
harbor during the winter months,
shows plainly its belief that the srs-
marine campaign is about to break ou,
again. The close patrol OF the ship
ming lane between Halifax and III.
English ports, already begun, accord
ino 10 news received here to-nighi.
greatly interests the American govern
ment. OF even more interest is the re-
port that British merchantmen are 20
be armed fore and aft, so that there
will be a chance TO sink the attacking
submarine. The fact that merchant.
men armed TO this extent will have to
give up their rights in neutral poris
indicates how near the Allies belie,o
the submarine peril is.
Send Only Food from L. $.
Il is even beginning 10 he believed
here that the President has been told
the exact date on which the lmperio'
German Government will unleash it,
pack Of latest and desdlie,t subms-
rines.
lt was stated By a well informe 4
American here to-day, man who is i''
close touch with the Allies, that iron,
now on little in the way OF actual r,u-
nitions OF war will be exported fro-
American ports. Foodstufs in tremen-
dous quantities will continue 10 be
shipped
Great Britain and Fran, ar. al r.,