The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1916-12-23
PEACE PROPOSALS
UP TO The ALLIES
German and Austrian Notes Re-
ceided in Washington for
Transmission.
WILL NOT Be FLATLY REJECTED
Diplomats in National Capital Intimate
That Message Will Receive Con-
sideration-Smoothe Way.

Washington, Dec. 15.-Arrivai of
both the German and the Austrian
peace notes and broad limitations at
the Entente Ally embassies that the
proposals of the Central Powers
would not be fatty rejected without
examination were the outstanding de-
Velopments here today in the peace
move.
Germany's note, substantially the
same as the published text, arrived
by cable in the early hours OF the
morning, and just as the state depart
ment was closing for the day Austria s
note arrived. Secretary Lansing said
it was identical, with Germany's and
that neither contained any change in
meaning from the semi-official YER
sions.
1t was stated officially that neither
Germany's nor Austria's note would
be forwarded before tomorrow, if in
deed then, and there was no outward
indication that the President had made
up his mind what action, if any, he
would take in transmitting the Central
Powers proposals to the Entente belli-
gerents.
When, with the announcement of
the German proposals, two days ago,
it appeared that the Entente Allies
were inclined to reject the offer fatty,
it appeared very doubtful if President
Wilson could find a way to add a
word of mediation in transmitting the
notes.
The Way Seems Easier.
With the apparent moderating of
that first attitude, as reflected in the
British newspapers and among the
Entene ally diplomats here, the way
seems easier for the Presi lent to ex-
press in some way the hope of the
United States that the proposal for a
discussion of peace will not be reject
ed without consideration. In such a
step there is likelihood of the United
States being supported by some of the
European neutrals. The minister of
one of them today asked his govern
ment to authorize him to assure the
president of Endorsement in such a
move, and it is believed others are
considering the same phase of the stu
alton.
The Spanish ambassador Mr.. Riano
and the Swiss minister, DR.. Ritter,
both conferred today with Secretary
Lansing. Their governments also
were acting as Intermediates in trans
hitting the proposals.
Germany Proposes Peace.
Berlin, Dec. 13.-Proposals by the
Central Powers that peace negotia-
tons be entered into forthwith were
made in notes handed to representa-
tiyes of neutral countries which are
representing Germany in belligerent
nations yesterday.
The chancellor said the propositions
which Germany was bringing forward
existence, of honor and of liberty Of
evolution for the four allied (centraD
spowers.
Chancellor Won Bethmann-Ho1lWeg
called the diplomatic representatives
of the United States, Spain and Swift
erland to his office, one after the
other, and handed this note to them.
The chancellor asked the neutral
nations which represent Germany and
her allied powers at the principal cap
itals of the nations at which she is
at war to bring these proposals to the
attention of Germany's enemies.
The exact text of the first announce
ment of Germany's intention, as wire
1essed by the official press bureau to-
day to neutral countries was as fol-
lows:
1.-THE chancellor this morning re-
ceived, one after the other, the rep
resentatives of the United States of
America, Spain and SwitzerIand-that
is Of the states protecting German in
terests in hostile foreign countries.
Propose Immediate Action.
1.-THE chancellor transmitted to them
a note and asked them to bring it
to the knowledge Of the hostile gov
ernments.
I'm this note, the four allied powers
propose to enter forthwith into peace
negotiations.
1.-The propositions which they bring
for such negotiations are, according to
their belief, appropriate for establish
ing lasting peace.
1.-The governments OF Vienna, Con-
stantinople and Sofia transmitted
identical notes. The text was also
communicated to the Holy See and to
all other powers"