New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-13
Wilson Sees Col. House
and Cabinet; to Act
Secretly, if at All
STILL LHOPESBERLIN
WILL TELL TERMS
Germans Scoff at Foes
Conditions; Say They Are
Through Offering Peace
BY STEVENSON II. EVANS

Washington, Jan. 12.-President
Wilson and his administration. not
excluding Colonel House, are begin
ming TO be dimly aware that there
was tone Of finality in the reply
which the governments of the En-
tente made to Mr.. Wilson's guarded
proffer of mediation.
The fact that a present peace is
out of the question has written a pc
riod to further efforts on the part OF
neutrals. No matter what Mr.. vii
son does now or in the immediate
future the war will not be affected.
The Allies plainly are determined
to fight on to a certain victory they
see. The Germans, according to
their spol,esmen. regard the reply or
the Entente as challenge. No fur
ther peace moves will be started di-
rectly by Germany.
Inc tHdIntitOn vino
There is much confusion in the
Washington state Of mind. The
thoughts and opinions of the officials
of the State Department and Of the
members Of the Cabinet are rehec-
tions Of tho thoughts and opinions OF
the head Of the government. These
reflections change from day to day
Sometimes they change twice in ths
same day At the present moment
the government of the United States
does not know what it is going 10 do
Tomorrow night it may be posi-
bic to report truthfully a certain de
cison Twenty-four hours later
contrary report would be equally
truthful.
Al the moment the President appears
to his friends 70 be near decision 10
take no further action. by word. sign
or deed, with the object OF attempting
peace between the 5elligerents The,
understand him now to be Of the opir
ion that this government has been po-
litely rebufed by both sides
Allies Polite but Decisive
The Allies were courteous about So.
and acceded to his requests 70 sta.e
concrete terms that sorndings Nigh
be made" But they made 1t clear tha'
they could not approve Of American A.
tion merely as reinforcement 10 Ger.
man position.
The Teutons declined even 20 state
their terms. and greatly annoyed Nh
Wilson by their manner Of reply.
II President Wilson submit to he
German government the note OF the
Entente he may do IT without com
ment, or he may accompany u with a
note Of his own. If he cares 10 70
assert his wish for peace, IL is obvious
that he must urge Germany TO make
a statement Of her terms. as the Allie
have done.
tbuNANNi dbAt AAAANF HtNbAhAa WV w.
three weeks, will elspse before the
President does anything in the open
1t is entirely likely that all his subse-
auent movements. conversations OF am
bssssdors with foreign ministers.
memorandums and the like will be In
secret.
In Washington it is considered IN
likely that the Germans will state con
crete terms, even if the President ssk.
for them. The German goyernment
takes the position that the situst on
requires a secret conference. and ths,
in no other way is it possible 10 ap-
prosch peace.
1t is becoming evident that the Ger
mans see in their peace drive certain
benefits, even II peace is impossible
now. The Presidents open tear o.
being drawn into the maelstrom ~
another outbreak of submarine fright
fulness has convinced Germany that
this government vii go far 20 avoid =
break.
The imperial government hopes that
the United States will become en-
broiled with the Allies. possibly 70 the
extent of declaring a food and mum
tions embargo. The German drive for
peace includes an American campaign.
That campaign has for its object the
changing Of American public opinion
from the side Of the Entente 10 the
side of the Germans.
Increasing irritation is apparent A.
the White House because Of the effect
upon the country OF the scandals indi-
Gated by the House Of Representative
leak investigation.
The charges, it is true, appear flmsy
enough. and the irs.nuations made by
certain great advertiser - YET
have no solid backing. But the friends
OF the Administration IN the Rouse
have carefully refrsined from boldly
meeting the situation, and appear
afraid 10 do so.
They have attempted 10 make par.
tisan matter out OF something which 10
not partisan. they have drawn out
their Investigation 70 a great length
end the result Is growing belief in
a. liz Of .rhfan IA