Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-31
UNCLE SANS
WARY ABOUT
PEACE T AXIS
England to Make Serious
Reply When Answer
is Given.

ibe German government Is at
tempting tO disguise the facts be-
hind the peace negotiations at
Brpst.lltoysk by the widely cirCu-
lated story that the kaiser has
delegated 10 Chancellor Won Hert-
ling the power 10 make peace and
that the pan-German press Is
deeply irritated at the peace terms
proposed by The German dele
gates.
The apparent displeasure Of the pan
Germauic element rs regarded by Of
fcIaIs here as probably inspired for
the purpose OF indicating the conf
dence OF the public I'm Germany's pow
er To- dictate peace terms.
Kaiser story Doubted.
The story that the kaiser was Yield
Ing more power to his chancellor has
not been borne out by any facts re-
ceived at the state department. The
only Information that might serve as
the basis for such "a report was dis
patch from Copenhagen dated Dec. 26
but referring 90 q published dispatch
there under the date Of Dec. q in
which It was reported that the kaiser
had given TO the chancellor his ap-
proval OF the participation in the
peace conference Of the degelates
chosen By the chancellor.
The state department today was
still without any intimauon, official or
otherwise, that this governments par
ticipation 80 q peace conference Is de-
sired
Seek To Align America.
Reports from Brest-Litovsk and
from Petrograd have left no doubt
that both Berlin and Petrograd were
determined, If possible, to align Amer
ica aud the cobelligerents In some
peace agreement and the receipt Of
an offer. either direct or indirect
would be no surprise,
No official OF this government has
committed himself upon what reply
would he made, but there has been
nothing to indicate that II would be
favorable 70 has been indicated that
unless it came through some official
channel Ct probably would bring forth
nothing more than q formal acknowl-
edgement
Answer VIII Be Genuine.
London, Dec. 31.-The Manchester
Guardian says it is the intention Of
the British government, when the
Austro-German terms Of peace are
presented officially, TO return a seri-
Gus and reasoned reply.
Premier Lloyd George has arranged
TO visit France. according TO the news
paper to confer with Premier Glenn
enceau on this subject
The Austro-German peace terms re-
ferrad 10 are those presented by the
representatives. Of the central powers
al the negotiations with the Russians
at Brest-Litoysk. These negotiations
were Interrupted for 10 days to give
the entente allies opportunity to state
whether they would join in them.
The principal point IN the Austro-
German outline Of peace terms was
The acceptance OF the Russian formula
OF no annexations nor indemnities.
Favored Nation Clause.
In addition TO the points set fortl
''""' % '''''|N9 4'N'' w
LlloFsN reEardlng the provisions
n aeI eemeht between the representatives
Z oI russia and the central powers an
other clause is included the precise
meaning OF which 1T not clear.
A Reuter- dispatch from Amsterdam
gives the clause thus. at was agreed
: that both legally and economical!
one country should not be treated les
la'oIaoly ny another than any thlr'
selnlfy when cannot appeal 10 treat.
''snlS' 80,
ue herman wireless version Oh 'llI
e,"1Se Iedos ny was aereeu mat re
opecNNE an rights OF intercourse ah'
.sonolnlc relations, none OF me coun
lrles which Is a party to the peace ar
a% se.u,h' S"all ue tIealeu Iess td'oI
80 'ia" any OUTSIDE country ia &c
80 10 MhIch treaty rights 40 OF u