The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-12-28

OF the American Government concern
1Dg the Arabia case. This information
comprises q categorical denial by the
British admiralty and by the owners,
officers and crew and passengers OF
the Arabia. OF the various claims set
up by the German submarine COM
mander In an attempted justification
of the attack.
Pledges Useless.
The American Government is con-
WINGED that the German commander
has deliberately misrepresented the
facts. and in this conviction is per-
susded to believe that The German
pledges have been rendered utterly
useless.
Count Won Bernstorff. the German am
basssdor. IL understood TO have
thorough appreciation Of the dangers
brewing. md IL believed to have adj
vis.d-..is government 10 undertake every
possibis 20 step TO prevent n break. He
- peneved TO have advised his govern
ment to admit that the commander who
attacked tho Arabia erred and to re-
pudiate his action rs a violation OF his
instructions. IL is also believed that
! the ambassador has urged the Wilhelm
strasse to seek in every possible way
To pTpipnk inc DtbCt ntkouauoUH.
II In knowledge OF the advice from
the embassy in Washington. II is be-
Iieved here. that was responsible for
tho reports from Berlin that Germany
81 willing to submit 10 the President n
confidential statement OF the terms
upon which Germany would enter into
y peace conference with the entente
powers.
Wilson Resents Fact.
Internationally the President bitterly
rescnts the fact that Germany. the first
Of the powers to reply to his peace note,
has deliberately ignored his request OF
both sides for statement OF peace
terms. Nor. Il In stated In official
quarters. would tho President he molli-
ned to any extent by n submission of
germanys peace terms 10 him In con-
hdence.
His note to the powers invited a
statement OF terms for tho general
information OF the world. and the
President IL said to feel that IL would
be futile. a. far as continuing the
negotiations, for Germany TO submit
her terms to him for his private and
exclusive cdification.
He does not care, II Is stated, to
assume tho responsibility OF assuring
tho entente powers that these terms
are reasonable without being pril-
legged to lay the text OF them before
tho entente govrnmntH. Nor. Il In an.
ticipatd. would the entente powers
for n moment entertain such assur.
ances.
Formal Text Here.
The formal text OF the German re.
ply, differing in no essential way
from the press text wlreiessod from
Berlin. was received at the state Dc.
psrtmnt today. having been presented
TO Ambassador Gerard ut Berlin at |
noon Tuesday. IL was Immediately !
made public.
As stated heretofore. 10 ignores the |
request OF the President for n bill OF |
particulars. and merely states the |
willingness OF Germany and her al. |
lies TO enter into an immediate peace /
conference with representatives OF
the enemy countries.
Both tho White House and State !
Department categorically denied to- |
day that this Government has already |
received from Germany private |
statement OF her peace terms.
There In strong reason TO believe,
however. that II H. anticipated by the |
President that such a prefer Will be |
ursdty In denying that any had 1
been thus far. official begged 60 be
EXCUSED In the future from answer
ing similar questions.