New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-10
Backed by Wilson, Is Be
lief in Washington; New
Peace Moves Planned
REBUFF BY ALLIES
WILL NOT HALT HIM
Pledged TO Government of
Betllmann-HOIIWeg Is
Capital View

Washington. Jan. 9.-Oficlal Ger
mans here are making no secret oil
their hope and belief that President
Wilson will carry on the peace aglta-
ton until some satisfactory basis IS
reached for a discussion of peace terms
They admit without qualification that
their own move has failed. They as
sert just as fatty that whatever the
Forthcoming reply OF the Allies to the
Presidents note he can by keeping al
il attain his object.
They believe that he will continue,
because he wants to keep the peace
question uppermost in the public mind
in belligerent as we'll as neutral coun
tries. Now that all the world is talk
ing and thinking peace. no matter how
much disagreement there may be about
is immediate advisabllity. Mr.. Wllsoh
must consider that it would be pity
In have the subject drop and lose all
the momentum that has been so laborl-
ously impaired TO the movement.
Rebuff Will Not Stop Him
beginning. at least, has been made,
the Germans argue. If the question
is dropped. another beginning will
have To he made later under even more
unfayorable conditions. because the
world will have in mind the previous
failure. and will be pessimistic OF new
attempts.
As Mr.. wilson intimated yesterday
no new note is in contemplation. But
officials generally agree with the Ger.
man view that the President will not
give up if he is rebuffed by the Al
lies, but will continue his efforts
through less spectacular channels than
the public prints.
The response TO the first note could
hardly be taken seriously as fiat re-
lection Of peace. anyway, because o.
the evidence that it was not intended
as a serious peace move.
II was generally agreed IN many
Washington circles to-day that Ambas-
sador Gerard "let the cat out Of the
bag in his Berlin speech Saturday
night. when he minated that the con-
tinuance OF the Bethmann-Hollweg gov
eminent in power was necessary TO
good relations between the United
States and Germany. The prevalent
theory that the Presidents peace note
was designed TO aid the Chancellor's
party was held 70 be entirely sustained
by this development.
Officials Silent on Gerard
Comment in the British press. it was
noted. also took this view. But there is
still no explanation offered in Admin
istration quarters Of the Ambassadors
unprecedented utterance. II is neither
denied nor affirmed that the sentiments
expressed by Mr.. Gerard had the ad-
vance approval Of Washington.
This speech is now regarded as the
third official Explanation" of Mr.. Will
sons peace gesture The first and sec
ond were offered by Secretary Lansing
the day the note was published. The
first explained the note as a defensive
measure designed to give warning that
the United States might at any moment
be forced into the war. The second re-
tracted this, describing the Presidents
move merely as a request for informa-
ton springing from this governments
natural interest in the purposes of the
war.
Mr.. Gerard now makes it appear that
NJ Is what one OF the herman guests
called it. "an olive branch" carried by
Ambas sador Gerard to Germany from
the United States. Mr.. Gerard's ex-
PLANTATION makes the peace note really
only a move TO conciliate Germany and
help the present friendly" government
to remain in power.
VIII Not Recall Gerard
II was recalled to-day that during
the many submarine crises of 1915 the
German government played American
politics sedulously. They presented TO
Mr.. Wilson one diplomatic victory
after another to help justify his anti
war policy. This is the first time. how
ever. 80 far as appears on the surface,
that the Washington Administration
has attempted to play German politics.
As for Mr.. Gerard's recall, there is
not a chance Of it, according to the
best indications obtainable. Admins
tration officials fail TO see anything I'M
proper i'm his words. There will be no
objection in Washington to his playing
/ German politics. so long as tho Ger
man government is not offended. lie
has been asked for an exact statement
of what he said at the dinner, but this,
officials say is asked purely as mat
ter Of routine.