Evening star., 1916-12-13
Senator Cummins' View.

Senator Cummins-ef Iowa said:
II regard it as a hopeful sign mat
one of the belligerents should even sug-
gest that the war should end.=I have
no opinion as to the outcome based on
the proposals OF Germany. but I hope
the proposed peace negotiations will be
undertaken"
He said that much. of course. would
depend upon the attitude of Great
Britain: that he believed France would
possibly agree to the terms of peace
suggested. though she might feel her
self bound to stand by Russia if that
nation objected to the terms with re-
gard to Poland and Lithuania. Senator
Cummins said he did not think the
President could well take any inde-
pendent steps at present looking to
peace.
OF the foreign relations committee de-
clined to comment upon the peace pro-
posals of Germany. saying he wished
first to see the actual text. He said,
however. he was confident that the
administration. through its diplomatic
agents, was in close touch with the
situation and would offer its good
offices for the purpose Of bringing
about peace negotiations whenever the
time was ripe
Hopeful, Says Senator Kenyon.
Senator Kenyon of Iowa said: :-.----
1T is hope nd some thing to work
on The peace proposals of Germany
appear to me to be a workable basis
though ii is not to be expected that
the final result of the negotiations. IL
negotiations are entered upon, would
be identical with these proposals II
the United States can do anything to
further the proposed peace conference
1t should do it,
Senator William Alden Smith of
Michigan. a member of the foreign re-
T hope fh1t X the Unnes states ca n
do anything to further the proposed
peace negotiations 1t will do SOL think
the very fact that one of the bel
hgerents is proposing peace negotia-
tions is the most hopeful sign we
have had yet that the war may be
brought to a close at an early date
II the representatives of the warning
ference table. far from the battlefield.
j believe they will arrive at terms
which Will bring peace. When Russia
and Japan met at Portsmouth they
suited in peace"
Not Time to Interfere. ~
Senator Clapp OF Minnesota said:
Il am very glad that steps are ac-
tually being taken by one set-of bel
ligerants looking to peace negotiations,
and 7 hope they will lead to something
] do not see that this country can well
Interfere in any way at this stage.
however
Senator Kern of Indiana said he pre-
ferred not 70 comment upon the pro-
posai Of Germany untu he had an op-
portunity to study il in detail He
said he hoped the terms were not such
as would increase the war spirit of the
entente allies. rather than to cause
them to enter upon peace negotiations
Senator Gronna of North Dakota
said:
The great danger Is whether the
entente nations Will accord To Germany
and her allies the right to make peace
proposals ] sincerely hope. however.
that the suggestion of Germany that
peace negotiations be entered upon
may be adopted"
1 Senator Lodge of Massachusetts the
ranking republican member of the
foreign relations committee. would ex-
press no opinion for publication re-
Earding Germanys proposal.
Senator Borah Of idaho. member
Of the foreign relations committee, said
he did not think the peace proposals
of Germany would alter the situation