Arizona republican., 1916-12-29
SAY ABSOLUTE
 SILENCE IS TO
 bE MAINTAINED
Republican A. p. Leased Wire

WASHINGTON, Dec 2S.-A policy of absolute silence regarding the peace negotiations has been adopted by President Wilson and Secretary Lam sing. It was stated officially today that all steps henceforth would be regarded as confidential, that no com ment will be made on any development and that rumors will not be discussed in any way.
 The decision to pursue this course was made known after the state de- partment had received the official texts of the German and Austrian re- plies to President Wilson's identical notes to the belligerents proposing a discussion of peace terms and after it was learned that the Teutonic powers would be willing to permit confiden- tial exchange of tentative terms if it became necessary to do so to bridge the gap threatening to prevent a gath ering of peace delegates
 In many quarters the official attitude was construed as indicating that secret exchanges were expected to follow if they did not precede the formal answers to the entente nations to the notes of President Wilson and the cen tral powers. Because of the highly confidential nature of any such negO- tiations it is pointed out, the inter mediary would be obliged to refrain from admitting even that they were in progress. c Y ss. essssa
 So far as the entente governments are concerned. it is understood that little if any confidential information has reached here to shed more light on their attitude than has been given publicly in the speeches of their premiers and the comment of their press. Consequently, there is no dis position here to doubt that the allies unanimously will refuse to septAr -2ny sort ofpeace conference until Germany has indicated clearly on what condi- lions sle will Stop fighting
 On the Teutonic side, while the reply to President Wilson is regarded by the German embassy as complying with President Wilson's suggestion in re- gard to method of procedure Germauv is said to be willing to consider other suggestions regarding methods from any quarter, including her enemies.
 The views of the German govern ment further are represented as being as follows
 If the entente considers that guar antees for the future are the principal elements to be achieved and lackil z confidence in the German government. insists upon knowing something of tha guarantees that Germany is willing tg give, the Berlin government mig make some declaration regarding tho principles to which she is willing to subscribe, leaving details for settle ment at the proposed conference. The German government considers tn there is but little to be gained by goiuc into any lengthy discussion of guaran- tees fer the future, with the preset - war in progress. In this connectia Germany, it is asserted, never has in tended that the conference suggested should result immediately in the estar lishment of peace-it is considered that 1t necessarily would be of a pr,- liminary nature to determine wheth r It might not be possible to end the w, ,
 According to the German diplcrna the plan Germany is proceeding ul4n would provide that the delegate should first agree upon territorial and
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