Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-12-20
FURTHER MOVES
NOT FORECLOSED
Door to Peace Is Left Open by
Statement of British
Premier.
DIPLOMATS ARE OPTIMISTIC
They Believe That Conference
Has Been Brought One
Step Nearer.
ARE OPTIMISTIC

nrSt otlclal impression here of Lloyd
( Georges reply 10 the German peace
proposals. with the acceptance Of Rus
sia Italy and France. i- that il does
not foreclose further moves which
might look TO "a discussion Of peace
such as the central powers have sug-
gested
This view is held by officials OF Tho
administration and Of the German en- :
baSSY.
Official Washington practically is
unanimous. however. in the opinion
that the British rrcmier's speech has
shown that any positive action by the
Cn!tcd States toward mediation not
only would he premature. but might
e.-:Sarrass such action later.
Later. II was stated authoritatively
tonight that for the present the United
States would act only AS AN intcrme.
diary. transmitting communication,
between the bcIlircrents
THINK IT OPENS DOOR
TO FURTHER DISCUSSION
The German embassy intcrprets the
British Piemicr's speech as opening
the door To further discussion. al
though the German diplomats inti-
mately familiar with the aims aud
views of the central powers make no
attempt to conceal their uncertainty
regarding the outcome of such ncgo-
tiations. They feel. however, that If
the note replying to the German com
munication follows the tenor OF the
Prcmier'S speech. the entente from
the Tcutonic Viewpoint. has done all
expected Of it and has brought the ide;.
of peace conference one step nearer
realization.
miers speech said Count Won Bern
storf, the German ambassador. In an
authorized statement, that the answer
OF Great Britain will not end the mat.
ter. To me it looks as if there will b,
at least one more exchange Of notes.
which Will talk Of the future and not
of the past
The allies responses are viewed by
administration officials, not as II hat re.
fusal. but as. the answer most TO he
expected from group of belligcrcnts
eager to throw back On their adver-
saries all the onus of having caused
the war and of having bi ought about
conditions under which peace was
morally wrong. Nevertheless officials
foresee the opportunity. almost the in.
vitation. for Germany to make an
other cautious advance. which finally
may bring out the minimum bases OF
contention.
NOTHING ACHIEVED
BY PUBLIC DISCUSSION
German embassy officials. though op-
;imistic because tho British Premier
did not hatly refuse to enter into a
discussion. deprecated the suggest on
that definite peace terms might be set
forth in formal notes. Tho German
view as reflected here. is that nothing
can b" achieved 10y n public discus
sion Of terms.
In the same quarters il is thought
probable that Germany. should Great
Britain ask ii. may be willing TO make
some preliminary statement of princi-
pies regarding terms. especially If fail
ure to take such action should he tho
only barrier to the entente agreeing TO
send representatives TO a conference
No secret was made Of the fact that
Germany will use every means known
10 diplomacy in her effort 10 bring
about a conference.
Germany. il was declared is ready
10 discuss all OF the questions brought
UP by Lloyd George This includes Tho
question Of rcparation, without which.
the Premier is quoted as saying. peace
The essential point in the Prcmicr's
statement. the matter is re-
sarded here was his announcement
that the allies will wait until they
hear what terms and guarantees can
be given that are more secure tha.
those which Germany broke" This
is looked upon as. Il demand upon
Germans to present their terms
peace.
II Is expected that the British an
swcr To the German pronosal will bc
delivered To Ambassador Page. in Lon
don. within very few days. and will
hc communicated In Germany by the
American government. In substance
the German answer is expected to he:
We will toll YOU our terms il you
will come into conference
WILL. LEAVE WAY OPEN
FOR NEt:OTIATIONS
This will leave the way open to
further negotiations which. up TO the
point OF the actual Oncning of con
ference. will have to be carried on
through the medium Of American dip
lomatic representatives in London and
Berlin. Germany wishes, il possible
to avoid the statement of definite peace
terms i'm advance Of that conference.
IL is said 10 be quite possible that
Germany may. if necessary, state in
q general way some OF the questions
which she is willing TO consider. She
believes that there will be "a much
greater likelihood OF the negotiations
resulting in an agreement If Il dis
cussion of specific questions is avoided
in the interchange of notes between
the parties to the conflict.
Attention was called tonight to
Lloyd Georges declaration that there
must he complete guarantee against
Irussian militarism." II was stated in
reply TO this that Germany was ready
TO discuss disarmament, which would
he the best possible guarantee against
militarism of all forms The state
ment that she wns ready To discuss
the formation OF league OF. nations
to enforce peace was reiterated
I'VE would like to know Just what
Lloyd George means by guarantees
Continued on Second ragc)