New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-01
President Checkmated
Unless Loophole Is
Provided
SPANISH REBUFF
STUNS OFFICIALS
Washington Thinks Berlin
Will Continue Efforts,
Even if Baked Now
Uron ras Tribune Bur..a.l

upon interviews to-day with mem
bers of the various embassy stats,
neutral and belligerent, and with
officials of the American State De-
partment, this is the picture which
Washington sees tonight:
There is no hope Of peace coming
from the conditions created by the
first German note, Of December II.
reinforced by President Wilson's
strangely timed peace move, which
was interpreted by the Secretary Of
State in his verge Of war" remarks.
Almost nobody here who has any
real information at his command
processes any optimism on that
point.
What slender thread OF chanc.
there is that these peace negotis-
tions will pass from the present en-
bryonic stage 10 something stronger
leads from the Teutonic embassies
and the White House. That slender
thread is the possibility that the
note which the Allies write directly
TO the President will leave some
opening, however slight, for further
progress Of peace negotiations.
Await Reply TO Wilson
There is no attempt anywhere to
disguise or minimize the feeling
that yesterdays note from the Al
lies expressed final and absolute re-
lection of Germsny's peace proaer.
All now depends on the note 10
Mr.. Wilson. If that note goes no
further than the Lloyd George
speech and yesterdays arrsignment
Of the German frightfulness, then in
deed the dove Of peace will fy far
away. If the note 10 President vii
con, on the other hand. gives the
slightest sign of willingness 70 60
forward with peace negotiations. no
matter what the modus operandi
suggested, then further exchanges
may be expected.
There would be no chance OF an
other communication from Germany on
the basis Of the Allies note % yester-
Gay. Il is only the possibility OF m,
chance presented in the forthcoming
reply 70 Mp. Wilson that gives the
Germans cause 70 hope.
II the note is az all favorable further
communications may be expected from
this government and from Germany
II the tone Of the next Allied note
is stern and incorporating, the Ger
mans viii take Il as notice that tho
governments o. the Entente have de-
cided on another year Of war. a. least
another year and possibly three or
four. How President Wilson will tsss
IL no one here predicts, but there b.
doubt in sll diplomatic quarters that
he would go further nov.
The German drive for peace. n the
direct attack isis. will not be sbsn-
doned N will be conducted through
neutral countries with all The skill and
thoroughness for which the Germans
are famous. The peace talk has been
started. II never viii be allowed -
die.
viii Not Cease Efforts
II the present attempt 10 induce 'he
Allies 10 discuss terms fails no further
talk will come from the German gov
ernment for a while But this IS tho
Official side UnoficiAlly, the Germars
will be unceasing ia their efforts io
bring the world 20 the opinion tAsf
whether peace il made now, one yea
hence or three years hence, there viii
be no essential change in the situn-
tion.
Not only do the Germans believe tho
they have conquered A. much a. the
possibly can. bat they also believe thai
the contcstinR forces ara at a pcrms
nent standssill. fhey do not erpec, 20
advance further; they do not eHpec'
the Allies to advance further.
The German play for peace shorty
may be assisted By influences sent ouf
BY the Vatican and Spain. Great ey-
ertions are being made In those quarter
nov, in spite OF the sharp rebuff -
Wilson and to German hopes iu the
Spanish note.
SO much briefly summarizes VASE
ington opinion on the most importsn'
subject now before the world
The note from Spain, published this
morning, declining 10 indorse the sin
opportune" attempt Of President vii
son 20 inject a neutral element into the
situation. was met with a feeling -
resentment, all the stronger because
the officials Of this government realize
more kesnly with each succeeding dhy
how much more capable Of helping a.
peacemakers they would have been N
the American note had been held for
more opportune time
There IL great difference of opinion
OF how much too soon President vii
son sent his peace note. The extrenis
opinion is that Mr. Wilson has mis-
judged the situation By at least yea.
The more moderate view is that tho
American note, eofsing after all bel.
ligerents had expressed themselves
completely and a few weeks had inter
vsnsd. would have accomplished very
much more.
President Fears for Future
This brings the story back TO the rec
son for the sudden dispatch Of ths
American note. That reason va. -