The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1916-12-14
WILSON WILL
AID PEACE MOVE
President Awaits Word From
BaIIIg3rant Capitals
ACTION WAS NOT SURPRISE


Secretary Lansing Soon and Discuss
Matter.
Washington, Dec. 13.-News that
Germany and her allies were about
to enter on peace negotiations was i'm
mediately sent to President Wilson.
Speaking for the president, Secre-
tary Tumulty said he was deeply in
terested, but could make no comment,
at least until it was learned what re-
ception the proposal received from the
entente allies. He would be willing to
assist in any move for peace.
After the news of Germany's peace
proposals had been discussed at sthe
cabinet meeting Secretary Lansing
and the other members said no official
comment could be made.
At the time the cabinet met the full
proposals had not been received. 1t
was stated that consideration had not
been given to any steps which the
United States itself might take.
The news was practically the only
topic of discussion among the mem
bers of congress. On every hand the
discussion turned to what had moved
Germany and her allies to make their
proposals at this time. Although for
many weeks there have been per
sistent and officially-denied reports
that some peace proposal was about
10 be made by President Wilson, there
was no open indication that the cen
trail powers themselves were about to
make one. Generally, the announce
ment was a distinct surprise through
official and diplomatic circles.
Reasons Fer Proposal.
One prevailing opinion was that the
Germanic allies had brought out their
peace offer at tbs time with the eX-
pectation of making terms which
might be acceptable to the allies of
England and in effect might possibly
cause the British government to yield
to the pressure Of the nations fight
ing with her. In this connection, the
recent crisis in Russia, in which the
duma interfeTed to prevent the nego-
tiations of a separate peace with Ger
many. was recalled as an indication
OF what the German foreign Office
might be looking forward to in peace
negotiations.
1t has been generally acknowledged
in entente ally circles that efforts
would be made by Germany to con
fol -1rit hcr
mics, but so far all the entente ma
lions have reiterated their intention to
adhere to their agreement made early
in the war not to make a separate
peace. The recent death of the Aus
trian emperor, Francis Joseph and the
succession of King Charles to the
throne of the dual monarchy also was
discussed as one of the considerations
which might have been a factor in
bringing out peace proposals at this
time
The United States represents Aus
tria and Germany in Belgium, France,
Great Britain, Japan, Russia, Serbia
and Rumania; represents Turkey in
France, Great Britain and Japan; has
taken over Bulgarian interests no.
where and does not represent any Of
the belligerent governments in Italy,
Portugal or Montenegro.
Factors Which Led to Move.
The factors which are said TO have
led to the German peace proposals at
this time are:
60 cf
the central powers.
The fact that the winter at hand will
necessitate cessation of hard fighting
for three months.
A desire to smoke out" the allies
TO announce Just what they are fight
ing for.
Desire to convince the world and
the German people wherever they are,
that Germany is not fighting a war Of
territorial conquest, and
Desire, if war continues, to let the
world know Germany will not be re
sponsibIe for further bloodshed.
The peace terms outlined, a Ger
man official here minated, are not
necessarily Germans final proposition.
"The important question is to find
out whether the allies will talk peace"
said this official Germany makes the
proposal in order to find out whether
it may be more reasonable to stop
fighting before either side is able to
get in what Lloyd George called, in
a recent interview, "a knockout"
Although he has no appointment, it
is expected Ambassador Won Bern
storff will see Secretary Lansing and
thoroughly discuss with him the whole
matter. 1t is believed Won Bernstorff
may shortly express a desire for an
audience with President Wilson.
1t is not believed Ambassador Ge-
rard had any definite information of
Germany's peace proposals when he
left Berlin. In diplomatic circles, it
was said Germanys actions must have
been partly determined by the sue
cess of the Rumanian campaign and
by cabinet crises in England and
France. The peace conference, if it
comes, probably will be hald either at
Berne, or at The Hague, it was pre-
dicted
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