New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-31
"Will He Abandon All
Mediation Efforts ?"
Germans Ask
OFFICIALS AWAIT
ANSWER TO u. S.
Further Diplomatic Moves
Depend on Allies Leav-
ing Door Open

Washington, Dec. 30.-"Why could
he not have waited? ?"
How was the cause OF peace ad-
yanced a fractional part Of an inch
by the interposition Of the American
note before the governments Of the
Entente had replied to the German
request for a conference as stated
on December 1872"
Would not the government Of the
United States be in an infinitely bet-
ter position as the most powerful
neutral, desirous Of helping to bring
peace to the world, if it had not laid
itself open TO the charge of making
hasty attempt TO reinforce the Ger
man peace move?"
Entente Comment on Note
Has the renewal Of submarine
frightfulness been averted even for q
little while? Has it not rather been
brought nearer by the Presidents
open fear Of break with Germany,
as broadly intimated by Secretary
lansing in his now famous verge Of
war explanation of the Presidents
note?"
These were some OF the questions
which sprang 70 the lips OF those IN
circles friendly TO the Entente after =
hasty perusal tonight Of the joint
note Of the Allies in reply TO the Ger
man peace offer.
will he give up?" Meaning. will
President Wilson. in view OF the def.
mite refusal OF the Allies to "consides
a proposal which is empty and insin-
cere,' abandon his attempt a. media-
tion' That was the main question m
the minds OF those in circles friendly
20 the Teutonic allies when they, too,
had skinned through newspaper copies
OF the Iong cable from Paris.
Public officials Silent
The note was received in washington
too late 10 make Official comment Il
any sort possible. No man Of authority
and responsibility cared to venture q
single word on the basis Of the incom.
plete version so far received. The
President and Secretary Of State. who
are determined 70 say no word or per-
NIT no word to be said for them on the
subject OF the present peace crisis.
were silent. OF course.
There was double reason for oficisi
silence on the part Of the officials %
this government. The United States il
acting now merely as intermediary. Its
single duty is to transmit 70 the Teu.
tonic governments as quickly as posi-.
bic the note Of the Entente Allies.
Still Hopes for Peace
IL can be said. however, that Presi-
dent Wilson labors under the belief .
some call il deusion that ne stifl can
DC Of service and hopes for peace ~
this time despite the tone OF hnality OF
the note from Paris. What form his
next move will take-a public pro-
nouncement Of some sort or confden-
tisl conversations and communications
through American ambassadors at Lon
don, Paris and Berlin-canuot be said
certainly, but probably the latter
Those American officials who vent
ured any sort Of comment At all to-
night expressed a faint hope that "ths
door was not closed" and that there
Is still a chance that negotiations will
20 forward But every expression Of
hope was coupled with the condition
that Germany must indicate not by
words, but By deeds that she is willing
TO make reparation and restitution and
give guarantees.
One thing is certsin-thers can be
no peace conference on the basis Ger
many now offers. The modus operandi
10 constantly spoken OF by Germany's
representative here as fair and nos
binding on any Of the conferrees cam
rot be accepted.
Further peace offers from Germany
may come. The probabilities are that
they will be secret IA high German
quarters expressions which the publio
OF all countries have read recently
the speech OF Won Bethmann-Holl-
veg. the speech Of Lloyd George, ths
German note Of December II and now
the note Of the Allics-ars regarded
cynically enough a. mere playing 90
the galleries"
I Won Bethmann-H -Heliwsg end ne SrvS