The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-12-26

would be unsatisfactory 10 Inc SH
tente allies in so lar as hope al AZ
s.sns:-S = SEaSr ovni~frilcr al Inls
time is concerned
He expressed the view that the allies
would not consent 10 peace meeting
based on any such answer as was CIV
en- in the brief reply by Germany.
He held that Germany had oirectis
lodged the request OF the United
States for something specihc In Inc
way of peace terms.
The German answer squared Win
Am ba ssador Bernstorn's recent state
ment that Germany Is willing TO state
her terms al round t6Oie sess on.
Preliminary examination indicated
to administration officials that the en-
tente allies Will be unwilling to join
such a session unless they can get
something more definite on which TO
operate.
All officials expressed frank pleas
ure over Germany's very immediate
response to the presidents note.
They declare cit augurs well,
since ii means Germany obviously
went Immediately 10 work on her an
swer.
While many admittedly were dis
appointed at the absence OF specl1ic
terms asked for, they pointed out that
any peace discussions at this time
and for come time TO come-must OF
necessity be prolonged with con-
siderable period of discussion to be
expected before the beligerents get
right down to brass tacks.'
Cabinet members were informed OF
the Berlin reply by United Press rep
resentatiyes az they reached the
white house for the regular Tuesday
afternoon cabinet meeting. They
would not comment, but displayed
deep interest When it was suggest
ed the answer might be taken up at
the session, one member said:
-'Oh, / suppose SO, but of course.
there cannot be formal discussion or
any sort of official recognition taken
of it until I. reaches ths president
via ofic1al channels
In some official circles it was point
ed out that whine Germany did not
make the frank declaration OF OBJ
jectives" which President Wilson
sought from belligerents, neither
was there anything in the reply to
indicate that Germany Is committed
unequivocalIy to Withholding any
terms for round table conference.
AT the white house there was no
disposition on the part OF the presi.
dents advisers to be pessimistic, but
there was some Disappointment over
failure TO answer specific queries OF
| the president
Some officials in this connection
privately expressed the hope tina,
perhaps the official text on its way
here through Ambassador Gerard
4 may be supplemented with confident
| ial information that might clear Z!
/ these points.
| Proposes a Meeting.
! BERLIN (yia Sayville wireless.
Dec. 25.-Germany today proposed
meeting OF delegates OF belligerent,
in her answer to President Wilson's
peace note.
Hsr formal reply to the Americal
peace suggestion was made in not
handed to United States Ambasado
Gerard at Berlin and at the SAM
time the American diplomatic repre-
sentatives at the capitals Of the 9th
Ter central powers-Vienna, Sofia
lConstantinopie.
/ The note also hints that the grea
work OF prevention OF future war
( can be begun only after the end o
A the present stFueSio vi AolfoAAo a.
declares when this moment shall
have come" Germany will be read.
with pleasure to collaborate entirel.
with the United States at this exalte'
i task"
/ The German note holds the mos
appropriate road to reach the dc
sired result" is an immediate meet
ing OF delegates OF belligerent state
at neutral peace"
1.-THE text as transmitted over Say
willie wireless by the official pres
bureau in Berlin, does not contain
any peace terms. Whether this ts til