Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-12-13
GERMAN EMPIRE
SUGGESTS PEACE
PARLEYS TO foes
Chancellor Won Bethmann-
Hollweg Gives Note to Neu-
trail Diplomats for Trans \
mission to Nations.
TEUToNs UNCOMFORTABLE
Prime Minister Asserts Forces
of Central States Every
where Standing Firm.
QUESTION UP TO ENEMY

Berlin, Dec. l2.--(By Wireless to
Sayville. .)-Germany and its allies to-
day proposed to enter forthwith into
peace negotiations.
The propositions which they will
bring forward are, according to Chan
cellor Won Bethmann- Hollweg, appro-
pirate for the establishment of last.
ing peace.
The Austrian, Turkish and Bulgar-
ian governments areNmaking similar
proposals. These proposals also have
been transmitted to the vatican.
The following announcement was
given out today by the semi-official
Overseas News agency:
THE chancellor this morning re-
ceived one after another OF the repre-.
sentatives OF the United States Of
America and Spain, and Switzerland;
that is, OF the states protecting Ger
man interests in hostile foreign
countries. The chancellor trans
mitted to them a note and asked them
to bring it to the knowledge of the
hostile governments. The note will
be read today in the Reichstag by the
chancellor.
an the note the four allied (cen-
traD powers propose to enter forth
with on peace negotiations. The prop
ositions which they bring for such
negotiations are according to their
firm belief appropriate for the estab-
lishment of lasting peace.
THE governments at Vienna, Con-.
stantinople and Gotta transmitted
identical notes and also communi-
Gated with the Holy See and all neu-
trail powers"
Speech Of Chancellor.
| Chancellor Won Bethmann-H Holl-
weg's speech is reported by the Over
seas News agency as follows:
Chancellor Won Bethmann-H Hollweg
today announced to the Reichstag
that Germany, together with its all
lies, Conscious of their responsibility
before God, before their own nations,
before humanity had proposed this
morning to the hostile power to en-
ter on peace negotiations.
Practically all the members Of Par
lliament answered the unexpected
summons. The crowded house and
thronged galleries listened in atten-
tive silence when the chancellor rose
for his speech.
The chancellor first outlined the
extraordinary political situation and
then, insisting upon the achievements
of the central powers, made an an
nouncement which possibly may be
the turning point in the war, which
for more than two years has held
the world under its spell. The chan
cellor said
"The Reichstag had not been ad-
journed for long period, but, for
tunately, it was left to the discre-
ton Of the president as to the, day
of the next meeting. This decision
was caused by the hope that soon
happy events in the field would be
recorded a hope fulfilled quicker al
most than expected. i shall be brief,
for actions speak for themselves"
The chancellor said Roumania had
entered the war in order to roll up
the German positions in the east and
those Of Germany's allies. AT the
same time the grand offensive on the
Somme had as its object to pierce the
German western front and the re-
newed Italian attacks were intended
to paralyze Austria-Hungary,
| Praises God and Troops.
THE situation was serious" the
chancellor continued. But with
Gods help our troops shaped condi-
tions so as to give us security which
not only is complete, but still more
so than ever before. The western
front stands. Not only does it stand.
but in spite of the Roumanian cam
pagn it is fitted out with larger re-
serves OF men and material than it
: had before. The most effective pre-
cautions have been taken against all
Italian diversions. And while on the
{ Somme and on the Carso the drum
, fire resounded while the Russians
| launched troops against the eastern
, frontier OF Pennsylvania, Field Mar
t shal Won Hindenburg captured the
| whole of western Wallachia and the
! hostile capital of Bucharest, leading
, with unparallel, genius the troops
, that in competition with all the allies
| MI ruI,. no. \ !