Connecticut western news., 1916-11-30

Inree meerIn9S Del"eeH NfHpdSSduoT
 and Secretary of State In Day. With 1 Germany's Representative Present al
 Two of Them, Said to Mean Plan to 1 Ask For Armistcc.
 James w. Gerard, United States ann bassador to GermIny. was the central | figure in a series of conferences in Washington which strongly suggested the beginning of a movement for peace in Europe.
 | No official statement was obtained. | but i'll quarters vitally interested ill the outcome a hope was expressed that d l brief breathing spell between the war ring factions could be arranged. With this accomplished. il was said. the door would be opened for q definite l armistice that would permit the bellig- erent nations to talk peace seriously. Since MT. Gerard left Berlin, two months ago, it has been a fixed impress sion in diplomatic circles that he came here fully aware of the views of the kaiser on peace. The ambassador held one conference with President Wilson at Shadow Lawn. He expects to tall; with the chief executive again during this visit to Washington.
 Two Conferences Held.
 MT. Gerard and Secretary of State Lansing first conferred at the state de partment Soon afterward Mir. and Mrs. Gerard were the guests of the German ambassador, Count von Bern StOrff, at luncheon at the embassy The secretary of state and Mrs. Ian sing were also among the guests. Mrs Richard H. Townsend. MT. and Mrs. George Peabody Eusstis and the coun- selor of the embassy Haniel von Helm hausen. completed the company.
 In the evening Secretary of State and Mrs. Lansing entertained at dinner in honor of Ambassador and Mrs. Gerard and the American ambassador to Spain and Mrs. Joseph Willard. Among the guests were the German Ambassador and Countess von BernstOrff, the Span. ish Ambassador and Mime. Reiano anu diplomatic representatives of neutral nations, General and Mrs. John w Foster and MT. and Mrs. Fahnestock.
 American and foreign diplomats who discussed the conferences, notwith- standing the social nature of two of the gatherings, considered them signifi- cant of a peace move.
 Secretary Lansing when asked con corning his first talk with MT. Gerard said:
 "We discussed the general conditions in Europe"
 When asked if the question of peace had been raised during the conference Mir. Lansing refused to answer He did assert, with emphasis. however. that there was nothing sufficiently serious fn the submarine issue between the United States and Germany to have made the conference necessary.
 In connection with the meeting be- tween Ambassadors Gerard and Will, lard with Count vOn Bernstorff at the home of the American secretary of state it was pointed out that Spain. the country to which MT. Willard is assigned. ranks next to the United States as neutral of influence in world affairs.
 Spain as Peace Mover.
 Spain, it was further said, iS fitted as an influential intermediary because of the hithsrtO unnOticed facts that it represents Belgium at the German cap ital and is probably the most confiden- tial friend of the Vatican in Europe. Austria alone excepted.
 Another responsible diplomat said the present attitude of the state de- partment and the White House indi- cated that the ways and means of eff fecting peace were being cOntidentially discussed. This authority holds a po- sition which enabled him to say with out qualification he knew the United States was embarrassed through the lack of any concrete suggestion from the belligerents as to the manner in which a peace movement might be launched"
 Ambassadors Gerard and Willard will both go back to their posts before the end of the year. It is believed they will carry instructions to report at the earliest possible date on the advisabiI- ity of an official appeal from the Unit ed States for an armistice.
 It can be stated with authority that the agents of the allies were acutely
  interested in the several meetings be- tween Ambassador Gerard and other diplomatic heads here. They were similarly concerned over the visit of pr. Paul Ritter, the Swiss minister, at the White House few days ago. So far it appears they have not been talk en into the confidence of the repre- sentatives of this government
 q expect to return to New York either tonight or Wednesday morning." said Ambassador Gerard. Tt is prob- able I will see President Wilson while [ am here, but no appointment has oeen made as yet l will sail from New York, Dec. and will return to Germany via Copenhagen. No, I can not talk peace or discuss my confer ence with Secretary Lansing" Miss Rankin's Election Cost S687