New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-21
Saws Berlin May Send
Terms Secretly to Allies
Through Go-Between
PUBLIC DISCUSSION
WOULD DEFEAT AIM
Doubts Wilson's Note Will
Modify Situation, Though
Mediation Is Possible

Flcry G.. Stowell. associate professor
Of international law at Columbia, sug-
rests that peace negotiations may be
brought about by Germany stating her
terms in strictest confidence TO some
person who. acting as a go-betwcen'
would communicate those terms IN
secrecy TO the Allies. In statement
given to The Tribune yesterday he said
that there were insurmountable OBJ
stacles in the way Of naming publicly
any terms that would be acceptable TO
the Allies and TO the German people
al the same time.
81 do not see that the Presidents
action will modify the situation great
w." he said. when told Of the note Tor
warded 10 the powers by president
Wilson. 1T does give an opportunity
for the belligerents TO get together
for the discussion Of terms OF peace.
The obstacles. however. which make II
seem impossible that peace can be con-
cluded at once continue 20 exist. New
ertheless. President Wilson has taken
advantage Of the psychological mo-
ment 20 do all humanity possible by OF
ferinC his good Offices 20 facilitate the
interchange Of views for the purpose
Of terminating hostilities.
Strengthens Faith in Him
This last move emphasizes the Pres
.dent's desire 10 be OF service. ne
care ne has taken 20 avoid any appear
ance OF premsturely urging upon the
Allies peace under circumstances they
might not find il possible TO accept
should make them feel reader 70 nave
recourse TO him If it appears that the
war can be concluded by so dong.
In his discussion OF Lloyd George 5
attitude toward peace. he SAID;
II LLOYD George had thought II pos
sible al the present moment 70 secure
q satisfactory peace. he would nave
agreed to an armistlce pending con-
ference for negotiation. lie may nave
feared that public opinion IN one OF
the Allied states would have been so
strongly opposed 20 peace under the
present circumstances that an agree
ment 10 negotiate would break up the
harmony of the Entente.
II Russia. for instance. is unwilling
20 make peace until she can secure
Constantinople. IL will be impossible
for the Entente Allies 70 act together
until il is evident 20 Russia that she
cannot secure the coveted prize, unless
some happy turn Of events should mod
ify the present situation.
Would Slow Up Allies
Another reason which may possibly
have influenced the British government
is that negotiations once commenced
of their VIGOROUS
onslaught chilled Il might be impos
sible 10 unite again for the continual
ton of the war. with the consequence
that they would be at the mercy OF
Germany's terms, for the German gov
eminent would not fail 10 take advan-
tage Of such a situation.
There is third cons Iteration which
must certainly have exercised some in
Huence: a peace a. the present moment.
when Germany has just completed her
brilliant conquest OF Rumanis and
holds great areas Of territory con-
auered from her adversaries. would
leave her in position of sucn inter-
national prestige as to be very unsatis-
factory 70 her adversaries.
What was Germany's gain IN this re-
spect would be looked upon as n loss
Of prestige TO the Allies, who would
find their influence throughout the
world seriously affected.
On the other hand. il is evident that
LLOYD George. speaking for the British
government. is anxious TO secure a
peace and is willing to negotiate in
regard to the terms as soon as the
Allies can act together and be certain
that Germany wishes peace ardently