Evening star., 1917-01-12
President Still Has Several
Openings to Resume His J
Negotiations.
STATEMENT OF TERMS
MAY CLEAR SITUATION
Further 0vertures by q. S. Expected
to Be Secret Until Definite
Point Is Reached.

President Wilson today began
careful and deliberate examination
of the entente's reply to his peace
note to determine what opportu-
nifty it presents for further move
on his part and in what way one
may be accomplished. The en-
tente note was discussed at the
regular meeting of the cabinet and
privately between the President
and Secretary Lansing.
All quarters agreed that while the
entente had made a complete reply to
the Presidents request for statement
of terms. the note seemed to offer no hope
for an early end of the war. but for
tunately still did not close the door
upon further effort on the Presidents
part.
Several courses Of action lie before
the President. Among them is another
move to ask Germany to state specinc
terms, the allies have done. Dfpio-
mats say that with replies from both
sets of belligerents in hand. IL would
be perfectly legitimate to communfcats
the answer of one set to the other.
Germans Denounce Note.
The German diplomats here We're OUT
spoken in their denunciation of the al
lied note and their declarations that
such terms never would be accepted.
Admittedly the note was more sewers
than even they had been led to expect.
and they dclared the Germanic allies were
prepared to fight on.
The next steps by the United States
will be chosen by the utmost delibera-
tion and, because of the delicate stage
which the negotiations are certain to
enter from this time. II would be no
,tiass,.- iu-sacret without publication OF
the Exchanges until some definite point
has been reached.
President Wilson discussed both the
entente and German notes with Col.
p. M. House, who arrived here last
night Col House had engagements
with a number of government omciais
and planned to return to New YORK
late today.
At the White House today extraor-
binary reticence was observed 1t was
said the President would not be hur.
ried into decision on the attituoe Va
the American government
Secretary Lansing Is Silent.
Secretary Lansing refused to discuss
the entente reply or the plans of this
government. on the ground that he had
not yet read the note with great care.
It was stated officially. however. that
whether the entente reply will be for
warded to the central powers and the
latter,s reply forwarded to the entente
has not yet been decided. and probably
will not be for several days. pending
most careful examination Of the whole
have stated terms while refusing con-
ference whereas the Germans have
suggested a conference without stating
their terms. Nevertheless, IL Is felt
that the international situation has
been decidedly clarified.
Officials obviously view the. future
with increasing soberness. President
wilson's original statement in his note
that neutrality was becoming intoi-
ment that the United States was being
drawn to the verge OF war. were re-
called in view of the probability that
hostilities are likely to continue. AM
ha assador Bernstorff's reiterated assur-
ance that Germany will not violate her
submarine pledges to this country 10
not Incompatible with activities that
could not be tolerated by this country.
out might be conducted on the basis
that there is such a divergence of view
rs to the international law involved
Interest Centers on Turkey.
Deep interest centered in the section
proposing the Expulsion from Europe
If the Ottoman empire" and the fall
ire to mention what government would
AXE its place at Constantinople. That
.ity. with it's control of the Darda-
,elles. has been one of he prime key
notes of the war, and was formally
,tated by former Preniier Trepoff to
rave been promised by the allies to
Russia.
Germany and her allies. IL was stated,
never will agree to terms similar to
hose in the entente note. Unforeseen
or some brought about
" measures by the United States. Ger
nan diplomats feel, can alone shorten
he war 1t was reiterated that upon
10 condition would Germany part with
which she considers
part of Germany proper. German
omfnent was especially bitter upon
hat part of the note in which indemni.
les and reparations are mentioned.
he German view was that the allies
ave in their note demonstrated an
ntention to get back the territory they
ave lost and keep that which they
ave gained.
only one hopeful passage was found
4 German quarters. This was the
eclaration of a desire above all ito In
ure a peace upon the principles of
berty and Justice" Such a peace, it
as declared. was what was wanted
y Germany.
Possible Course Of President.
The possibility that President Will
IN might see Mt to communicate to
,e central powers the terms of tho
,tente allies was considered in Ger
an quarters. and 1t was felt that I'm
,ch an event it was well within the
Lnge of possibilities that Germany
i'd her allies might then say they
ould be willing at least to discuss
Iose terms. unacceptable as they are
a conference. The opinion prevails
at should President Wilson desire to
'ntinue the negotiations the note of
RS an opportunity for him to do 80.
the same time II is felt In German
N rters that the President Is