The sun., 1917-12-28
TEUTONS IGNORE
BASIC DEMANDS
Peace Reply to Russia Is
Called Vague and Will Not
Be Considered.
NOT \ RIPPLE IN CAPITAL
Offer Meant for Home Con-
sumption and to Encourage
Pacifists Abroad.
>Etoiai Despdtch 10 TRr srN.

'tet'u' Desrdfch 10 TIE SrN.
WASHINGTON. Dec. o7.-Presiden, Will
son, according TO all indications here,
VIII not regard the Teutonic peace terms
as outlined b. Count Czernn, the Austro-
Hungarian Foreign Minister. as forming
| basis for peace. The United States
and the Entente nations are pledged to
terms involving restoration. reparation
and guarantee against repetition. The
carefully worded effusion OF the Central
Powers at the Brest-Litovsk conference
is regarded in official circles here as in
no sense meeting these basic demands.
The Government here presumably had
advance intimation Of what to expect
News Of the so-called German terms did
not cause ripple OF excitement in
official circles. Secretary OF State Ian.
old familiar brand which may mean
much to Germany and which are CAL
culated to strengthen pacifst propaganda
in enemy countries. but which fail to
trap Entente Governments into giving
them serious consideration.
Whilc It Is realized that the opinion
may be held by some that the United
States and the Allies should not abso-
lutely ignore the offer. even though 1t he
unsatisfactory, and that 1t might be good
politics from an International point OF
view at least to seek to ascertain from
Germany how generalities might be re-
duced to more detailed form, the respon-
sible officials Of the Government are alb
solutely opposed to this.
There is and las beeif here and abroad.
il is true. son,4 sentiment In favor Of
encouraging an exchange Of views with
the enemy over ultimate peace terms on
the ground that this would not necessi-
tate a weakening on the part of the
United StateS and the Entente as to ul-
innate satisfactory terms.
This Government, for reasons which
have been very carefully considered. Ia
against any policy Of talking peace or
considering peace negotiations In any
form inspired by the enemy at the pres
ent time, and believes 1t is in accord with
the other Governments Of the Entente.
President Wilson and Secretary Lam
sing take the view that peace discus
sions now are bound to assist Germany
and weaken the cause OF democracy.
This view is predicated on Information
not generally available which has led
to the conviction In their minds that the
Central Powers will consider only a peace
based on Prussian military victory.
This information has led to the belief
that all the art and cunning OF Teuton
diplomacy are now to be persistently in
yoked to make these terms appear at
tractive to the peoples of their enemies.
Realizing that peace along the lines
which the United states and the Entente
viii demand IL now out OF the question
in advance of military victory over
Germany, ofyicials here and In Entente
countries apparently do not want to
consider peace plans at all.
"sanSe OIa Testen Peace Game"
To quote one high onicial here, the
situation In this respect 10 outlined as
follows:
Germany 10 doing everything in her
powsr TO force Us to keep peace before
the people, TO talk peace. to think peace
ana 70 make peace discussions sap our
dissemination to bend all energies on
ueoe6cution Of the war"
Every Teutontc peace move now 10
characterized st the State Department
- pert Of "ths sams old game" This
Was again emphasissd to-day with 70.
gard 70 the proposals. OF the Russians.