Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-12-28
BERLIN REPLY TO US.
NOTE REACHES CAPITAL

WASHINGTON Dec %.
Germany's answer to President Wilson'S
peace note reached the state Department
today.
The state Department cable office notified
Secretary Lansing OF receipt OF the mes
sage about 10 o'clock and Immediately pro.
vided him and President Wilson with copies.
Secretary Lansing had purpOsely avoided
study OF the note as contained In press re-
ports, 80 his mind would be clear on the
exact points made by Germany and not
confused by any possible misstatements in
press texts. The Official copy was under.
stood. however. TO conform In all essentials
with the press version
The official who announced receipt OF the
reply sad nothing confidential was attached
10 the answer. There had been suggestions
that German might have given her terms
secretly in an accompanying message to
Ambassador Gerard for transmission here
Count Bernstorff the German Ambas-
sador. again today insisted that the Ger
man reply Is "A complete response to the
message of President Wilson lie said that
he felt satisfied that, 80 far as the Ger
man peace terms are concerned they can be
learned by the United States n not already
known. II Is very likely. he intmated,
that Foreign Minister Zimmerman already
has communicated them 10 Ambassador
Gerard and that the latter has/Iln turn,
sent them along TO President Wilson.
When Secretary OF State Lansing today
was asked whether he had received any
secret communication from the American
Ambassador he ruled the question out OF
order. He said that he was tired OF being
asked such questions. Inasmuch as II he
had received any secret or confidential COM
munication naturally he could not discuss H.
The German Ambassador also issued
formal and unqualified denial OF a story
published by New York paper today In
which IL was asserted that the German
peace movement really was designed TO
take the eyes OF the United States of the
submarine problem. The Ambassador said
ANY statement 10 the effect that | adj
vlsed Germany TO make It's peace proposal
with View to taking the eyes Of the
United States Government on the subma
rlne question Is an unqualified lie The
whole story that break between the two
nations impends over the submarine sltua-
tlon Is or the cock and bull variety"
IL again was made plain by officials close
10 the German Embassy today that Ger
many is ready to restore Belgium ON the
ground that her invasion. while compelled
BY military necessity was Illegal While
no Official statement Is obtainable for OBJ
vioua reasons there il little doubt that
Germany Is ready. IN the interests OF peace
TO make concessions along the lines
already indicated In news dispatches from
washington These proposals would in |
cludei
withdrawal from occupied territory
In France and restoration OF Belgium
creation OF Poland as an independent
buffer state.
settlement OF the Balkan problem
for All time by agreement In an inter-
national peace conferences. which would
divide the territory along racial lines
In a way which would keep Il from
being the "tinder box OF Europe"
settlement OF questions OF indemnity
and AM other territorial questions By
the peace conference
In this connection Il Is known that Ger
many would ike TO inject the Irish situa-