New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-20
Second German Note
TO Offer Allies Big
Concessions
TEUTONS READY
TO PAY INDEMNITY
Hold II Cheaper than War
Willing TO Consider
= Any Terms
.T-o1 rss TTiou1e Bu--au-

Washington. Dec. 19.-Germany
wants q peace conference, and wants
!, 50 badly that she will promise al
most anything to get it. This was
The substance Of comment in reliable
German quarters here to-day on
Llovd Georges intimation that GER
tain guarantees" and promises Of
reparation must be Forthcoming be-
lore the Allies would accept Ger
many's proposal.
Guarantees unquesuonabiy VIII be
made. Germany is ready TO protest
her solicitude for the future peace
,f Europe, and will suggest an agree
ment to limit armament.
II was feared that the stipulation
Of indemnities would prove STUN
Ling block, but the surprising asser-
ton Was made that Germany might
consent TO pay an indemnity by way
of reparation to Belgium rather
than stand the expense Of continuing
the war.
BernstorH Predicts Conference
Ambassador Won Bernstorf, who
rarely allows himself to be quoted
on any subject, was so confident to-
dsy that a conference was in sight
that he authorized the following
statement:
at looks to me as if the matter
WAS by no means finished by the
British Premier's speech. | expect
that after one more exchange OF
notes we shall get together in a con-
ference"
The Allied reply, he thinks, will be
neither a direct acceptance nor nat
rejection Of the conference proposal,
but will leave the way open for Ger
many TO send another note. Ger
many undoubtedly will do this, SO
long as there is chance of its lead
ing to a conference, and will phrase
Ter second note in such a way that
j, cannot be rejected, as It will ac-
csde, partially at least, TO the stipula-
tons Of the Allies.
Oppose Making Terms Public
As for statement OF specific terms
t,manded BY Lloyd George as pre-
lminsry. the view in German quarters
a that "such talk gets nowhere All
experience in diplomacy shows, 1t was
declared, that negotiations carried on
in public accomplish nothing. Only
when the statesmen Of all the bslliger-
ents get together in the same room"
can progress toward peace be made.
But enough Of a general outline Of
terms might be given 20 overcome the
British objections
In American Official quarters also the
Premiers speech was regarded as IA
Norable 20 q discussion of peace.
Ihey're talking peace st least one
official commented. "And that IS
good deal 10 start with"
Neutrals Must Disarm. Too
Guarantees for the future, IN the
Germsu view, are taken 10 mean much
more than peace terms Guarantees, II
vas said, would have mutually TO be Sc
erred by al the nations involved in this
ssf. as well as the neutrsls. II is
'st.tnded that the European bellig-
e''ats could not regulate their arma-
aents without the same regulations
applying also 10 the neutrsls, including
'ss United States.
Il was admitted in German quarters
hat even such terms as Germany has
already put forth we're not the ire
ouelole minimum. mo nation" II was
'aie, ever publishes its minimum
Terms. When they get together around
ias round table everybody will have TO
Hsse some concessions"
Even the matter Of reparation, in
sisted upon by Lloyd George and here
'ofors ridiculed by Germany, may find
acceptance when the conference act
aelly begins. AZ any rate, Germany
slll not bar discussion Of il from the
conference
Nothing is barred" p German or
iciai ssid. I'VE arc ready 10 discuss