The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-12-15
GERMAN AND AUSTRIAN
NOTES REACH THE u. S,
Do Not Differ from Published
Text-Will Be Forwarded
Soon-Attitude ofU.S.


examination. were the outstanding de-
velopments here today, in the peace
Germany's note. substantially the
same as the published texts. arrived
by cable in the early hours OF the
morning and just as the State De-
partment was closing for the day,
Austria's note arrived. Secretary
Lansing said it was Identical WIN
Germanys and that neither contained
any change in meaning from the
semi official versions.
1t was said officially that neither
Germany'S nor AuStrla's note Woulo
be forwarded before tomorrow, II
indeed then, and there was no out,
ward indication that the President had
made up his mind what action, II
any. he would take intransmltung the
Central Power proposals to the En-
tente belligerents. -.
When, with the announcement OF
the German proposals two days ago,
it appeared that the Entente Allies
were inclined to reject the offer flat
", it appeared very doubtful II Pres
ident Wilson could find a way to add
a word of mediation in transmitting
the notes With the apparent mooer-
ating OF that first attitude. as reflec,,
ted in the British newspapers anu
among the Entente Ally diplomats
here, the way seems easier for the
President to express in some way
the hope of the United States that
the proposal for a discussion OF peace
will not b. rejected without conSlu-
Grafton. In such Il step there Is a
likelihood Of the United States oeltlS
supported by some OF the European
neutrats. The minister OF one Gt
them today asked his government TO
i,,
of endorsement in such move ana
il is believed others are con$luerlnS
the same phase CT the situation.
Confer with Lansing.
The Spanish Ambassador. MIR. Riano'
and the Swiss. minister, Dr. Rltter,
both conferred today with Secretary
Lansing. Their governments also are
actin. AS Intermediates ii tranSlull'
ting the proposals. Whether they uiS-
cuSsed the prospect pt Il neutral CON
cert was not disclosed. but the I'M
preston prevailed that in the absence
of q decision by President Wilson the
subject Was scarcely more tuan
touched upon.
The change in the attitude OF the
entente embassies. however. was re-
Carded as the tuoSt interesting deFel-
oDr,ert pointing TO the probable posi-,
tion OF the. allies. 1t was indicated
that.to avoid being placed in the posi-
ton Of fiatly rejecting peace over
lures without knowing what Is pro
posed. it WAS not improbable that
after mature deliberation among tneni-
selves the allies would make reply,
inouirinS upon what basis discus
sion was suggested. Such IN action
by the allies. it was pointed out
would not By any means bind them 10
/ a conference.
r'he German Tiew of the next prob
! able step IS that ii meeting OF repre-
Sertatiyas OF all the belligerentS
should be proposed for 4 general dis
cuSsion of ill approach 10 basis Tor
peace. Grliuau officials here repeat
e(iiy have expressed their CONVICTION
thar once having gone that far. the
peace conference. The conviction OF
the allied diplomats. on the other
hand. is that eGrmany's terms. as IN
dictated by the tenor OF the German
chancellor's speech, and BY the Ger
mail view in Washington. are Such
that discussion would be fruitful OF no
conclusion But before approaching
that stage, they seem TO agree that an
inquiry OF the central powers for more
information of their proposed Will be
proper and it will developed the
ground for the next step.
J. p. Morgan, head. of the financial
agents of the allies in this country,
conferred today with the British am.
bassador. Sir Cecil Spring Rice, and
the French ambassador, Jules J. Jus.
serand. 1t was said his visit was a
consequences Of his recent conference
in Europe with King George and some
of the British statesmen. 1nasmuch
as his engagement with the two am.
baSsadorS was made several days ago,
the conference, it was declared, obvi-
ously was not brought about by the
peace proposals.
Wilson's Attitude Unknown
So far as was known the residents
attitude remained undisclosed to any
of his advisers but the belief grew
that if in forwarding the proposals
the American government did not ac-
company them with more than form
al note Of transmission. it probably
later in some other way would lndl-
cate it's interest in having peace re-
established as soon as possible.
Meanwhile the American diplomats
in the Entente Ally countries VIII be
expected to keeq the government in
formed of official views.
The only Official word forthcoming
at the White House was that Presi-
dent Wilson still was studying the
question closely, and had not reached
a determination on the steps to take.
He discussed the question with no
callers today, but is expected to take
it up at least informally tomorrow
with his cabinet.
The question OF possible armistice
grew in interest today as the general
feeling that an armistice was NOT pos
sible in an economic war was dtscon-
tinued in allied circles where it was
pointed out that an armistice would
nto necessarily bring the blockade or
the amasSing Of munitions TO an end,
but might merely effect temporary
cessation OF the fighting under the
basis Of the status quo
The only notice taken OF the situ-
alton In Congress today was in the
introduction by Representative Gard
ner OF Massachusetts, OF a concur
rent resolution to put Congress on re-
cord as opposed to any mediation by
the United States in the European
war, The resolution declares that "a
premature and inconclusiye peace
would fail to punish the Central Euro
mean powers for the unbounded mis-
ery which they have brought on man
kind" It was referred to the Foreign
Affairs committee without discussion.
Talk Disarmament.
The German embassy tonight au'
thorized the statement that it was
certain, should representatives Of the
belligerents meet to discuss peace
Continued on Psxs Tsn)