Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-12-14

otlclal text OF the Ieuton peace proposal
which incidentally was almost Identical
with the text carried In press dispatches
Secretary Lansing. at the Presidents order,
dispatched II 10 London, Paris Petrograd
! Toxic and to tho provisional capitals Of
Rumania, Serbia and Belgium.
| Tho United States represents Germany
In Belgium. Russia. Great Britain, France.
Japan. Serbia and Rumanla. She repre-
| sents Austria Hungary In the same coun-
tries She represents Turkey In Great
Britain, France and Japan.
The German communication to her
enemies was sent without any suggestions
or comment by the President.
This action completely fulfilled the re-
quest the Central Empires made OF tho
United States.
The State Department said officially that
the ALLIES would understand that this Gov
crnment Ia ready 10 transmit any answer
TO Germany without necessity OF making
any definite offer to do so,
In his study OF what action, II any, he
may take toward adding the weight OF this
Governments influence in the matter OF
furthering the TeutonC suggestion that
peace be discussed, the President received
from Charge Grew, OF tho American EN-
bassy at Berlin, confidential advlccs tend
ing 10 explain Germany's action and the
spirit which prompted Il.
1t was stated on highest authority that
the Presidents mind IL Htll entirely open.
He still Is undetermined. He VIII reach no
decision until he has confidential adVices
from American representatives, at the
Entente Allies capitals.
ono point however became clear today.
This Is that however careful the President
and his advisers are that no move be made
that might be received unfavorably by the
Allied governments, the President ia not
going to overlook the slightest point" ON
t,b ha hinge
for his avowed belief that peace. when It
does come must be permanent and must be
made permanent by some organization as a
world league to enforce peace,
II has been suggested TO him that perhaps
n statement concise, clear and full. deliv-
cred to the American people and 10 the
world, might be the entering wedge TO be
ad~nted,
While Secretary Lansing had no engage
ment With President Wilson this forenoon.
II was assumed he would seek the opport-
tunIty of comforting with his chief before
tomorrow afternoons Cabinet session.
German Ambassador won Bernstorn VIII
probably have an interview with Lansing
within the next few days TO discuss the mat
ter informally
authority. that President Wilson's greatest
problem I'm the German note is TO indi-
cate, beyond question. Americas desire
mot 10 intermeddle." while at the same
time 20 perform the humanitarian part OF
eIlciting from both sides some official data
as 20 the preliminary terms upon whleh
each regards peace as possible,
The Administration hopes that the Allies
will not fatty reject the German note
without indicating In some fashion the1r
minimum OF concessions and maximum OF
demands as the basis for peace. III those
preliminary concessions and demands are
established by the Allies the Administra-
tion regards II as certain that Germany
will respond with like list.
Thus a starting point will be established
from which at some time In the future
peace may come There Is no ldea IN
officlal circles that peace is near. and there
Is no idea OF attempting TO expedite a
settlement. II is recognized that such ae-
tIon on the part of this Government would
probably bs resented. IL is also recognized
however, that the first draft OF demands
must bs submitted some time ana II Is
Hooked upon as In the interest OF humanity
In general that this preliminary step should
be made as early as possible.
AS the American Government sees H.
Germany has achieved a clever diplomatic
coup In first presenting her peace pro-
posals-at least II will be coup II the
Allies fail 10 take an equal forward stride. |
Germany win retain position OF "taeli |
cal" advantage II England and her AL |
lies fail 20 meet the German move
II the President should decide 20 make |
the suggested pronouncement 10 the "oFld |
OF Americas creed as 10 peace, II would |
include these two main ideas;
Americas interest is only In peace and |
its future guarantees" obviously II WAS |
explained acceptance Of debatable points, |
such as indemnitiss. boundary lines. etc,
would be regarded as a question the bel |
llgerents themselves would have sole right |
10 pass upon.)
Expression Of Willingness Of the United |
states 10 become a partner In any teasi- |
be association OF nations TO guarantees
territorial integrity and political indie
pendshce" OF nations. large ana small
The President aYowedly believes the |
principle af public right must always take |
precedence over Individual interests and /
separate nations, and that the nations Of /
The world must Ia some way band them |
selves together 70 see that right prevails |
as against any sort Of selfish aggression"
such = pronOunesment, with such 9 Il
creed the President Il said 70 believe would /
serve 70 notify that this country stands
rsady 70 assist ia bringing about lasting
peace at the proplilous-bnt not az any
other-time.
F1rthsfmore 4 yes pointed out saeH
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