Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-12-15
ALLIES MAY ASK
BERLIN TO STATE
BASIS OF TERMS
Offer Probably Will Not BE
Rejected Without En-
animation.
EOTH OF PEACE NOTES
REACH WASHINGTON
Way Seems Easier for President
to Express Hope of U. S. That
Discussion Will Result
HIS COURSE STILL. uNDISCI.OSED
Likelihood That This Government
VIII BE Supported by SoEic Of
European Ncutrals.
BOTH OF PEACE NOTES
REACH WASHINGTON
Likelihood That This Government
VIII BE Supported by SoElc OF
European NcutralS.
lRy Associated rrcss.

nv Associated rrcssI
WASHINGTON December I4-Ar-
rival OF both the German and Austrian
peace u"tcs. and broad intimations at
the entente allied cmba sSes that the
proposals OF the central powers would
not be ilatly rejected without examine
ton, were the outstanding develops
mcnts here to-day II the peace move
Gcrmany'S note. substantially the
same as tho published texts. arrived BY
cable in tho carly hours OF the morn
ing. and Just as tn" state Department
was closing for tho day. Austria's note
arrived. Secretary Lansing said il WAS
Identical with C;crmanys. and that
neither contained any change in means
ing from the semiotiicia versions
II was stated officially that neither
Cicrmany's nor Austria's note would be
forwarded before to- morrow If indeed
then. and there was no outward indi-
cation that the President had made up
his mind what action, If any he would
take in transmitting the central powers
proposals to the entente bclligerents
When, with the announcement OF tho
German proposals. two days ago. il ap-
pcared that the entente allies were in
cltned to reject the offer tiatly. it a2-
pcared very doubtful if President VIII
son could find way to add "A word OF
mediation in transmitting the notec
With the apparent moderating of that
first attitude reflected in the British
newspapers and among the entente al
lied diplomats here. the way seems
easier for the President to express in
some way the hope OF the United
states that the proposal for Il discuss
oF yyl1l No ,,,i
out considerations In such "a step there
/ is likelihood OF the United States
! being supported by some of the Euro
/ pean ncutrals. The minister OF one OF
them to-day asked his government to
authorize him to assure the President
Of Endorsement in such a move. and 1t
is believed others are considering the
same phase OF the situation.
SPANISH AND SWISS
ENJOYS SEE LANSING:
The Spanish ambassador. Mr.. Riano,
and the Swiss minister, DIR. Ritter both
conferred to-day with Secretary Lam
sing. Their governments also are act
ing as Intermediates in transmitting
the proposals. Whether they discussed
the prospect of u neutral concert was
not disclosed.
entente embassies was regarded as the
most interesting development pointing
TO the probable position OF the allies.
II was indicated that it was not i'm
probable that, after mature delibera-
tion among themselves, the allies would
make reply inquiring upon what basis
| discussion was suggested Such ac-
| ton by the allies, it was pointed out,
would not bind them to "A conferences
| The German view of the next prob
able step is that Il meeting OF repre-
! scntatives of all bclligercnts should
! be proposed for IL general discussion
| OF an approach to Il basis for pesce
German officials here repeatedly have
| expressed their conviction that once
| having gone that far. the movement
"ou!d result in an actual peace con-
ference. The conviction of the allied
diplomats is that Ciermanys terms. as
outlined by I'll" German Chancellor's
| speech. and by the German view
III Washington, are such that dis
cussion would not be fruitful of
conclusion. But before approach
Ing that stage. they seem To agree that
an inquiry Ia the central powers for
more information of their proposal will
be proper. ana that il will develop tho
ground tor the next step
l.. Morgan, head OF the financial
agents Of the allies in this country,
conferred .C-day with the British am
h"$sador, Sir Cecil Spring Rice, and
the French ambassador. Jules T. Jus
serand. lnasmuch as his engagement
with the w" ambassadors was made
ScN"'a nj days ago, the conference, il
was declared obviously was not
brought ahou' by the peace proposals.
l'Ul.SiDENT'S ATTITUDE
REMAINS UNDISCLOSED
so far as was known. the Presidents
attitude remained undiscioscd to any OF
his advisers. but the belief grew
stronger that II in forwarding the pro
posals the American government did
not accompany them with more than 4
formal note ot transmission. il prob
ably in some way later would Indicate
its interest in having peace re-estab-
iished as soon as possible
The only official word forthcoming
at the White House was that President
Wilson still was studying the question
closely. and had not reached a deter
innation on the steps TO take. He is
expected to take up the question to-
morrow with his Cabinet.
The German note asked that tas
United States ''be so good as to send
ii or to France. Great Britain. Japan
Russia. Serbia ana Roumania.
In the Austrian note. the initial
same nations AS the German note, eS-
, f.nn hat I.l., -