Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-01-13
PRESIDENT BEGINS
CAREFUL STUDY
Of ALLIED REPLY
Preliminary View Is That
Door to Discussion Is
Not Closed.
ATTITUDE OF WILSON
NOT YET DETERMINED
Takes Up Question With Cabi-
net, and in Conference With
Lansing and Col House.
FIRST MILESTONE REACHED
Must BE General Assessment OF En-
tire Situation Before Any
Further Move.
FIRST MILESTONE REACHED
Must BE General Assessment OF En-
tire Situation Before Any
Further Move.

Nv Associated Press.
WASHINGTON. January l9.-The at
titude OF President Wilson toward the
replies Of the warning nations to his
Sugg estion that an opportunity be
given for comparing peace terms re-
maincd undetermined tonight. Pre-
liminary discussion of the question was
begun al to-day's Cabinet meeting and
at conferences between the President
and Secretary Lansing. and between
the President and Colonel l.. NJ. House,
who spent the day at the White House.
Informally, officials expressed the
opinion that the problem facing the
President is how To reconcile the con-
nicting attitude OF the central powers
and the entente allies on the question
of comparing terms. The central
powers having offered to discuss peace
at conference of representatives OF
the belliSerentS. and the entente pow
ers. though virtually declining to
agree to II conference, having given their
broad terms publicly. it was suggested
that the President might seek a new
method of having terms compared
In his original note he said he was
Indifferent as to the means employed
to secure this desired end and il was
himself in tho position of advocating a
particular method. In ono administra-
ton quarter it was suggested that one
or more European ncutrals might urge
Germany aud her allies to make public
their peace terms. and others thought
1t possible that a voluntary statement
might be Forthcoming from Berlin after
the text of the entente reply had been
handed to the NForeign Office for its in
formation by, Ambassador Gerard.
NOTE NOT TRANSMITTED
TO AMERICAN DIPLOMATS
So far. it is undcratood the note has
not been transmitted TO American Dip
lomats in the Teutunic countries, al
though il is generally assumed that
this Will be the first step actually taken
by tho United States. Secretary Lam
sing broke his silence on the subject
to-day only TO say definitely that no
action had yet been taken.
II is generally agreed everywhere
that the nature OF the. terms of the
cnicntc. with the intimations from Ger
man sources that such terms cannot be
accepted, makes an early peace unlike
ly. The preliminary view of the ad-
ministration. however. still is that the
door 10 discussion was not entirely
closed.
In the German view here it rests en-.
tircly with the President whether
there will be further negotiations at
this time. 1t Us regarded as certain
that the Gerinanic allies will consider
any proposition Mr. Wilson may make,
and that. they probably would be will
ing even to discuss in II conference
with their cnemies tho conditions
stated in the entente reply.
NJ the same time il is reiterated that
Germany and her allies never. upon
any consideration, would accept such
terms. and should they agree 20 enter
conference to discuss them, it would
nc with the idea that the entente might
reccde from its position. In this con-
ncction the Germans express the be-
lief that the entente set forth in il,
note the objects ii desired TO achieve
rather than the only terms upon which
II would make peace. and that as the
communication was written for publi-
cation broadcast. it proaably could not
be expected that objects much less
moderate than those given could be
stated
ENrREME HETICENCE
At WHITE HOUSE
Extreme reticence was observed to-
day ar the White House ana state De-
partment |, was said so many deli
cate points are Involved that very carr
ful study will he given to the problem
"cfore any decision is reached.
The view was 'generally expressed
that the first milestone in tie negotia-
tons inauGurated by Mr.. Wilson had
been reached, and t.,at there would
nave To be general assessment OF
thc entire situation before any further
move could be made. No estimate wa,
Pi'ced on the probable time which NAV
elapse before the decision Of the
PRESIDENT is made known, although tho
long conference between the President
and Secretary Lansing to-day. comiDc
so soon after the receipt of the entent,
note. was taken to mean that there vii,
he no unnecessary delay
Peace and the questions allied with
II were discussed only generally at m.
CABINET meeting. but afterwards the
president and Secretary Lansing went
|" Mr' Wilson'S private study together
ana remained there for more than an
hour.
When he left the White House. Mr..
Lansing refused to answer questions
colonel House. who came here last
night To attend dinner given in MIR
Wilson'S honor by the Secretary ot
state. remained until late this after.
noon. and conferred with several
officials. He refused To discuss hi.
visit.
TRY TO FIND POSSIBLE
POINTS OF AGREEMENT
Already officials are trying to work
out the possible points Of agreement
between the opposing alliances based q
upon the entente note and the German