The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-01-12
President Turns to Germany
for Next Peace Move.
Has He Confidential Informal
ton on TeutOn Terms!
CALL IT FLAT TURNDOWN
That's German Diplomats Yer.
sion of Allies Note.
Demand to Gust Turks CHIEF
Bone of Contention.

Washington, Jan. 12.-President
Wilson's next move in the interna-
tional peace game depends upon what
confidential information he has from
Germany as to terms upon which she
would consider peace at this time.
In the absence of positive knowl-
edge as to what, if any information,
the president has on this question, Of
ficials today believed the entente reply
leaves practically no loophole for fur
Their advances by the president now.
Germany must furnish Wilson grounds
for the next move.
Should the president have in his
possession information indicating that
the entente outline of her peace def
initions compare to an encouragi ng
degree with what Germany would be
willing to concede, another effort by
this government may be expected.
In this connection, it is understood,
the president has information indicat-
ing Germany would agree to the fol-
lowing concessions:
Probable German Concessions.
Evacuation and indemnifying of
Belgium; evacuation of France;
evacuation of Poland; evacuation
| of Serbia and Rumania.
Germany would demand return
| of her colonies point not touch
| ed upon in the entente reply-and
| would insist that neither she nor
her allies be deprived of any terri
tory, including Constantinople.
In view of the fact Russia demands
acquisition of COnStantinople and the
entente demands the expulsion from
Europe of the Ottoman empire" Con-
/ stantfnOple may turn out to be the
| chief bone of contention in any peace
| maneuvers.
Germany is willing to indemnify
| Belgium because she admits violation
! of treaty thru military necessity
! She would not, under terms talked al
| her embassy here. be willing to in
demnify other small nations invaded
| because she was at war with all OF
them before invasion occurred.
Ultra-secrecy is promised now I'M
| til the president has decided on his
next step.
Reply Surprises Officials Here
The entente reply created not only
| surprise but disappointment here. II
was hoped Great Britain and her al
lies would indicate at least slight
| tendency to favor peace deliberations
of some kind now. No encouragement
| could be found, however, in the first
| perusa1 of the reply.
In German circles, it was considered
as a flat turn down of the proposal.
| Ambassador Won Bernstorff held
! that it showed determination to dis
member Germany and her allies.
| 1t is his belief that refusal of the
entente to consider peace at this time
will do much toward uniting more
firmly the central powers and the
Teutonic peoples toward a more de-
termined pursuit of the war.
What this may lead to has caused
the administration its chief worry
The verge of war; Interpretation Civ
en- the first communication sent by
| the president to belligerents was
based on the belief that the neutral
position of the United States was rap
| idly becoming intolerable and that
the submarine campaign of Germany
was straining to the breaking point OF
| friendly relations between this coun-
try and the central powers.
SCOTS at Break With U. S.
Ambassador Won Bernstorff SCOTS
at possible danger of a break if peace
negotiations now end.
He declared the allied reply will
not affect Germany's pledges to the
United States. He added that there
will never be a change in Germany's
promises to uphold the principle OF
cruiser warfare set down by the Uni
]