New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-22

IL is declared, Will De conducted Win
absolute secrecy, and the warning ma
tions will have reached practical
agreement before the public is aware
that anything is Deing done IN that
direction. The peace conference Will
meet with al! the major questions set
tied in advance.
Gerard Move Is Significant.
Il is believed IN many quarters here
that. without being aware of II, the
State Department already is being
pumped full Of German peace propa-
eanda. American diplomats in Berlin,
Il is declared, are not allowed TO over
hear rumors" OF possible peace terms
without purpose.
The fact that Ambassador Gerard
has decided not TO take advantage OF
the opportunity offered him to return
home on a vacation is regarded as sig
niticant. While the State Department
knows nothing Of his reasons beyond
the possibility that the German gov
eminent prefers not 10 have the United
States represented by Charge DAT
flares when so many issues are current
between the two governments, MS real
reason for staying is felt to be his in
terest in peace suggestions he has
heard. Ambassador Gerard has had
little 20 do with the controversies over
submarine warfare, the issues having
been handled in Washington through
Count Won Bernstorff.
Mr.. Gerard. however. has the advan-
tage over the German Ambassador here
in that he has the cable al his disposal,
while Count Won Bernstorf Is obliged
10 use the leaky wireless. IL IS as
sumed, therefore, that II Germany
wants to transmit any such contiden-
tial matters as peace suggestions II
will be through Mr.. Gerard.
There is little doubt here that Ger
many is actively seeking peace. The
failure at Nerdun and the beginning
of new Russian offensive are pointed
10 as added reasons for believing that
from a German standpoint peace rs a
necessity. Germany will never be IN
better position to conclude peace than
now. while the Allies are growing IN
strength.
The American shipments Of muni-
tions have been drop IN the bucket
thus far. Within II few weeks they
will begin on an enormous scale. Ru-
mania !, giving every indication OF a
readiness to enter the war as soon as
Meanwhile the economic pressure in
Germany is increasing rapidly, and her
reserves OF men are commencing TO
run low.
Relieve kaiser's Death Near.
Another significant indication is seen
in the current propaganda in favor OF
the Crown Prince. All over Germany
the Kaisers son is being advertised IN
every conceivable way. As seen here,
this propaganda has only one signin-
canoe that the kaiser's death is eX-
pccted soon. Official Germany is natu-
rally apprehensive OF the effect such
an event might have on the spirit Of the
neoDle. and il is conceivable that the
German government would prefer TO
see peace come while the Kaiser is still
alive rather than take chances with his
heir.
Though no hint is given Of when def
mite overtures looking 20 peace may be
expected. the general belief here Is that
they will come from Germany, and that
ttov will reflect the sentiments Of the
whole German people, and not alone the
government. The latter is ready TO
make peace to-day, but is convinced
that no terms are obtainable which
would satisfy a people fed up on vic
tory
The time for expecting developments
along this line is, therefore, dependent
on the feelings of the people OF Ger
many. As soon as they realize the ex-
tent TO which they have been misled by
the German official Interpretation or
the meaning and progress OF the war
neace proposals may be looked for.