The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-01-03
'RF, ELECTION 0F PEACE PROPOSAL
IS CABLED To TEUT0N|C ALLIES
VIII SON UNDECIDED
ON HIS NEXT MOVE
Approval Of Course by Senate
Goes Over to Today by.
Unanimous Consent.

WASHINGTON, Jan. Tine en-;
tente reply rejecting the peace pro-
posal of the central powers was
cabled by the state department today
for presentations to Germany and the
other belligerent governments whose
diplomatic interests the United States
represents at allied capitals. TO save
time, the cabled English translation
was dispatched from here and Ambas-
sador Sharp was instructed to forward
the French text direct from Paris.
II was authoritatively stated during
the day that President Wilson had
not decided what, if any, further move
in the interest of peace he might
make, but was keeping an open mind
on the subject while waiting for the
entente's answer to his note propos.
ing a discussion of terms by the Del
Iligerents. No official comment was
forthcoming on the peace reports from
Paris indicating that the reply to the
president in effect would be the same
as that given the central powers.
Discussion of the adyisability OF
action approving the course
of the president in sending his note
occupied the senate for more than an
hour and will be resumed tomorrow.
Action was delayed by unanimous con.
sent because Republican senators In
sisted that the question was too i'm.
portant to be disposed Of hastily ana
.. should be considered by the foreign
affairs committee.
Particular interest attached to the
statements during. the debate by Sen.
Stone, chairman of the foreign rela
tions committee, who had an hours
conference yesterday with President
Wilson. In this connection admins
tration officials took pains to make
clear that the president did not seek
action by congress, though, of course
he would not like to see a proposal to
endorse his policy defeated.
Discussion Opened. l.,
The discussion began when Senator
Hitchcock's resolution to approve the
note. introduced just before the holi.
day recess automatically came before
the senate for consideration. Demo
cratic leaders, including Sen. Ston
urged that the resolution should
passed without delay or prolonged
debate, in order that the presidents
position might be given approval py
coordinate branch OF the government
which has authority in international
affairs.
Senator Lodge, ranking Republican
member of the foreign relations COM.
mittee: Senator Gallinger, the minort
ty. leader; Senator Borah and other
Republican Senators vigorously insist
ed that Senator Hitchcock consent 10
| let the matter go to the foreign reia-
lions committee for careful consldera-.
ton. They did not oppose the 'pur,
nose Of the resolution. but expressed
the view that the proposed action was
fraueht with such International i'm.
portance that it should not be acted
upon without very careful conslder9;,
tion of all phases Of the war situatt
and not until Senate committee Lad
An opportunity to study the exchanges
of belligerent and neutral govern,
ments which have followed the or1gi.
nal Teutonic note to the Entente al
lies suggesting discussion OF peace.
There were strong intimations to.
night that the Republicans Will insist
upon thorough debate X Senator
Hilc chcock persists tomorrow in MS
demand for vote with reference to
a committee. Such discussion. "
was pointed out tonight, might lead
10 another general debate on the Eu'
ropean war situation, such as charac.~
terized the controversy at the last
session of Congress over the right OF
fro,tInuad an Pa1a Ei111t,l