The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-01-12
THE ALLIES TELL
 WILSON THIS IS NO
 TIME FOR PEACE
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 l here now only on terms known to be acceptable to Germany. The allies are |, thought to have committed themselves l by the definiteness of their statements
 to a continuation of the war till such ] time as they have either attained or been convinced that they cannot at tain a military victory Their note Is ! regarded as so emphatic that they can
 not retreat from it without at least
 one more spring campaign.
 1 AWAIT GERMAN RECEPTION Officials will await with deepest in-
 terest confidential reports on the re- ception among the people of Germany of the entente reply. With German troops in France. Belgium. Rumania and large parts of Russia. the demands of the entente are expected to be re- ceived with great surprise In that connection the phrase disclaiming in tention to exterminate the German peoples is thought to have been writ ten.
 Much interest attached to the de- mand for restitution of the provinces wrested from the allies in the past While no special locality was named | indicated, together with any further territorial establishments that the mil itary situation might justify. This clause is understood to have been in- serted for it's elasticity.
 TO FREE ARABIA The enfranchisement of populations subject to the bloody tyranny of the Turks is said to apply to Arabia, part of which has already declared it's in- dependence under allied control; Armenia most of which is occupied by Russian troops, and Syria, the southern tip of which British troops from Suez have just reached. It is felt that if the Turks were also driven from Europe only a small part of their empire would be left Deep interest also centered in the sec tion proposing the expulsion from Eu- rope of the Ottoman empire" and the failure to mention what government would take it's place at Constantinople That city, with it's control of the Dar- danelles, has been one of the prime key notes of the war and was formally stated by former Premier Trepoff to have been promised by the allies to Russia. Whether the omission marks any change of policy or lack of agreement, or whether it was made to emphasize the attitude toward the Turk, is unexplained.
 GERMANY WILL NOT AGREE
 Germany and her allies, it was stated here tonight, never will agree to terms similar to those in the entente note. Un- foreseen developments or some brought about by measures by the United States, German diplomats feel, can alone. shorten the war. It was reiterated that upon no condition would Germany part with AL sace- Lorraine, which she considers a part of Germany proper. German comment was especially bitter upon that part of the note in which ndemnities and repar- ations are mentioned. The German view was that the allies have in their note demonstrated an intention to get back the territory they have lost and keep that which they have gained.
 Only one hopeful passage was found in German quarters. This was the declara- ton of a desire above all ito insure g. peace upon the principles of liberty and justice" Such peace, it was declared, was what was wanted by Germany.
 DOOR NOT CLOSED
 The possibility that President Wilson might see fit to communicate to the cen- tral powers the terms of the entente allies was considered in German quar- ters and it was felt that in such an event it was well within the range of possibilities that Germany and her allies might then say they would be willing at least to discuss those terms, unac- ceptable as they are, at conference. While the opinion prevails that should President Wilson desire to continue the negotiations, the note offers an oppor- tunity for him to do so. at the same time, it is felt in German quarters that the President is free to drop the mat ter for time if he chooses.
 TO KEEP PLEDGES
 With reference to suggestions that fail- ure to secure peace at this time would be followed by a new outbreak of sub marine warfare. it was again declared at the German embassy that Germany would upon no condition permit violation of pledges to the United States This state ment commanded close attention, in view of the note to neutrals. and the German admiralty contention that armed mer- chantmen are in reality warships. The phrase in President Wilson's note that neutrality was becoming intolerable and the later explanation by Secretary Lan- sing that this country might be forced against it's desire into the war were re- called in this connection as indicating the fear in official minds here as to the results of ruthless struggle between the two great forces.
 The friendly spirit towards the efforts of the United States shown by both sides is very gratifying to the administra- ton.