The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-12-13
White House Is Silent Pend ing the Receipt from Ber-' lin of Chancellor's Mes
 sage Containing Proposals From Teutons to Bring Peace.
Col. House Consults With President on Situation Diplomats of Germanic
 Countries Think Answer of Allies Will Ask for Ba-
 sis of Pact. a

Washington, Dec. 13-Presi- dent Wilson's course of action in connection with Germany's peace proposals remained un- decided today while, he await ed the official proffer which the central powers have asked the United States to transmit to their enemies.
 The impression grew that, while the Presidents first con- sid ration was to safeguard his IL fulness as a peacemaker,by o ltting any commeht which
 might possibly be coupled with a rejection by the entente pow CTS, there was a disposition to find some way to intimate the sincere wish of the United States that some basis for dis cussion at least might be reach- ed. & a
 Many officials felt that the indication of the temper of the entente governments shca,ld be available before the influence of the United States was thrown into the balance.
 The United States. by reason of it's dual responsibility of representing the interests of most of the central powers and the entente governments in the capitals of their enemies. would, of course, become the me- diufn of communication through which any reply of the entente gov- ernments to the central belligerents would be made.
 The German embassy had no further advices on the terms of the central governments but it was freely admitted that terms had purposely been omitted from the schancellor's speech and the, note because the sole purpose was to propose 8 conference on terms and carefully avoid advanc- ing any which might be made the basis of refusal.
 The Germanic diplomats in thia country, rehecting the views of their governments believe the answer of the entente allies will be an inquiry as to the basis on which Germany proposes peace.
 The probability of the entente allies themselves making some announce ment of the terms on which they would make peace is regarded here as having tremendous possibilities for effect upon the German people them- selves.
 The President cancelled all his out side engagements today and remain ed in the White House where he con- ferred with Colonel B. M. House, his friend and adviser, who made one trip to Europe to sound out peace sentiment several months ago. Col onel House may go again if the President makes a move to accept Germany's proposals with suggest ions of any character. s.s..-1
 The London press comment on the peace offer is known to be in accord with confidential advices coming to this government before Chancellor Won Bethmann-H -Hollweg's speech and the note were published. How far this comment represents the views of the new British government can only be surmised.
 In quarters close to the entente al- lies an opinion prevailed that if the entente allies made reply their first course might be to inquire what guar antees are given by Germany that the terms of a peace treaty would be full filled and that treaty would not be violated, as, the allies contend, in the case of Belgium. By making such a reply entente diplomats see the re- sponsibility for continuing the wa ! thrown back to the central powers