Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1916-12-27
Failure of Germany to Spec
ify Terms Is Regarded as
Difficult Obstacle.
VIEWED AS A STEP
IN PEACE MOVEMENT
Reception Accorded Note Among En-.
tente Allies Point on Which Now
Hinges Further Progress of Plans
Toward Ending Conflict.

Washington, Dec. 26.-Germany's
reply to President Wilson's note is
regarded here as having advanced the
peace movement another step, despite
the fact that it disappoints in not
meeting his suggestion for a frank
avOwal of terms.
The reception Germany's reply re.
ceives among the entente allies,
whose statesment have publicly de-
clared against such program, now
becomes point upon which a further
move is hinged.
The German note probably is pre-
Jude to series of carefully consider
ed, delicate moves in the great game
of world diplomacy, all possibly lead
ing to an approach for a real discus
sion of peace terms on grounds which
all the belligerents may feel place
them at no disadvantage.
This is the official view of Ger
manys reply so far as it has been
formulated on the basis of the unof-
ficia1 text. The official COPY had not
been received tonight, and President
Wilson was keeping his mind open.
Expect Germany to Forward Terms.
garded the note as step toward
peace, and rather leaned to the view
that Germany might follow it with
confidential communication of some
sort outlining her terms. The view
of the entente embassies, frankly ex-
pressed, was that the note was not
an answer to President Wilson's com.
munication but rather document for
circulation in Germany and neutral
countries with the objeoE of influence
ing opinion to place the responsibility
for continuance of the war ON the en-
tente allies.
Among the German diplomats the
only view expressed was one of sur
prise that the reply preceded recc
of the entente's reply to Germany's
original peace proposal of December
IL.
It was everywhere agreed that the
principal sticking point was the lack
of definite statement of terms, such
las President Wilson had asked, and
such as Premier Lloyd-George of
Great Britain declared the allies
would require if they were not to
ssput their heads in roose" with the
rope's end in the hands Of Germany.
/ 1t is not beyond the realm of
diplomacy. however, to find way TO
bridge the difficulty. and Germany's
failure is not regarded as an impos-
sible obstacle to negotiations, altho
it makes them difficult.
Peace League Work for Future.
Gernany's declaration that she re-
CARDS the work of securing the world
against further wars as work to be
taken up after the present conflict
is ended, is regarded with diversity
OF, opinion. Officials who turned back
and compared the statement with the
expressions of President Wilson did
not find the note out of harmony, nor
in disagreement with the presidents
public utterances on world league
to preserve peace. Yet there was an
indefinable opinion abroad in official
quarters that the ending Of the war
and the safeguarding of peace of the
world are interests so inseparable
that one depends on the other. Those
taking this view referred to Lloyd
Georges declaration that the allies
could consent to entertain proposal
only If Germany would first openly
loffer reparation, restitution and