Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-12-28
BernstOrff Statement

Count Won Bernstorff, the German
ambassador, returning Unexpectedly
tonight from New York authorized The
ssociated Press to make the following
statement:
II regard the note of my government
as constituting an acceptance Of every
thing suggested by President Wilson
in his note to the belligerent nations
Of Europe"
1t was made clear at the embassy
that Germany stands ready to make
known her terms on the first day of
any conference that may be held and
officials expressed themselves as be-
ing greatly surprised at the view pre-
valling In some quarters here that the
Berlin government had failed to meet
the Presidents suggestion by not set
ting down in the reply the terms upon
which 1t is willing to make peace The
German diplomats say President Will
son had no intention of drawing a
pubic declaration concerning terms
from the Central Powers On the con-
trary, they think the Presidents sug-
gestlon that an early occasion be-
sought to call out from all nations now
at war such an avowal of their respec.
1--WE views as to the terms upoin which
the war might be concluded" has been
1uliy met by Germany in seeking an
immediate conference with her enc
mics. The German policy upon which
the reply to President Wilson'S COM
munlcation is based is outlined as fol.
lows: 10 Ao'-
germany feels that the conference sup-
sested by 1t first should be composed NJ
oeiesates from the belligerent countries
whose DUTY 1t would be to settle terrific
RAJ terms. Once these terms are ABROAD
upon. representatives of the neutral,
should be called into participate in con.
sideration of the question of pu,r,nt...
1or the future in which neutrals are az
N'aily concerned as belligerents These
guarantees in the German view necessa-
rlly would have to do with the freedom of
tne seas, limited disarmament, formation
OF world league of nations to enforce
peace and the establishment of an inter-
national court of arbitration.
Germany is said to consider that neutral
nations can have no interest of their own
IN terms such as these relating to terri
tory.
Whlle there were no official advfces
upon the subject. the view still persisted
in German quarters tonight that the note
OF the Central Powers might be followed
by some highly confidential oral or writ
ten communication to President Wilson In
which at least broad tentative terms
might be stated. In this connection off,
Gals noted with interest Berlin press dis
patches saying that Ambassador Gerard
who as result of his recent visit to the
United States is thoroughly familiar with
the views Of President Wilson. had taken
lunch with Alfred Zimmerman, the Ger
man foreign mipister. and probably dis
cussed the peace proposition with him.
Count Won Bernsto-y's arrival in Wash
ington was entirely unexpected He had
not planned to return until tomorrow, but
because Of the situation deemed it adj
visable to be at the embassy Immediate
ly. Tonight the ambassador had no spe-
ciic instructions to call upon Secretary
Lansing, but it is not improbable that he
will visit the state department within the
next few days to seek information for his
government and furnish the administra-
ton with any he himself may have in
CONTINUED on Page 4, Column 81