Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-01-16

Berlin, SundayaJan. li.-(By wireless
to The Associated Press, via Sayville).
DIR. Alfred Zimmerman, the German
foreign minister, informed The Asso-
ciated Press today that in his opin-
ion the Entente reply to President Will
sons peace note bars the possibility
for the plan for Germany taking fur
Their steps toward peace. In particular.
he said, it prechded any direct an
nouncement by Germany of her peace
conditions in answer to the terms set
forth in the latest Entente note.
DR.. Zimmerman asserted, however,
that the answer of the Entente to the
President did not finally and complete
Nv close the door to later efforts for
peace before one side or the other was
completely crushed.
The foreign minister in the course
of a conversation with The Associated
Press correspondent last night declar-
ed, although with obvious reluctance.
that it was impossible for him to give
a more definite statement of the peace
program of the Central Powers than
that indicated in the declarations of
DR. Won BethmannH ollweg. the chan
cellor because the German terms were
such that the unsolicited PRONUNCIATION
of them in their moderate details aft
err what he characterized as the aspir-
ing program of conquest and dismem-
berment outlined by the Entente would
be interpreted by the Entente Powers
as sign of weakness and of a de-
sire for peace ut any cost.
Would Defeat Purpose
Publication of the peace terms of the
Central Powers therefore would de-
feat its every purpose. said DR.. Zim-
norman. The foreign minister express
ed doubt whether after what he de-
scribed as the rebuff to President Will
sons peace efforts given IN the reply
Of the Entente the President could
take any further action for the present
adding that the Entente answer eX-
Guided. for the present, any POSSIBLE
ity of peace.
Expressing a profound conviction that
the program of the Entente Powers new
or could be carried into effect, DR.. Zim-
norman intimated that a failure Of the
Entente's offensive this year, which he
expected, might again make It possible
to approach the subject of peace on rea-
sonable terms and with some prospect OF
success.
THE Entente Powers gave out for
themselves a big program" said DIR. Zim-
norman in answer to a query as to his
opinion on the note to President Wilson.
What more is there for Germany to
say regarding it?''
Now that the Allies have to a certain
extent outlined their plans" said the cor
respondent. ''do you think there is any
possibility of Germany declaring in some
form or other its program for a peace
settlement"
NO" replied the minister after an In
stant's reflection. II think we can do
nothing more. We cannot afford to give
the impression that we are chasing after
peace at all costs. After the Entente
Allies have put out this highly ambitious
program and announcement Of the firm
would by contrast probably be interpret
ed by our adversaries as an indication OF
weakness and would be used by them to
encourage their people to fight on.
Our people would not understand
any further effort by us for the intro
duction of peace after the Entente's
declaration. We have to consider pub
lie opinion here
DR.. Zimmerman said he could OBJ
viously see the advantages from one
point of view in declaring Germanys
terms and letting the world see oy
contrast with those TO which the En-