The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-01-01
Plans for Discussion Of Peace
Terms Through the United
States Under Way
PAINS ATTITUDE IS
BIG DISAPPOINTMENT
Practically All of Other Neu-
fral Nations Are Ready to Re-
4 spond to President Wilson
Request for Cooperation

II WashinGtcn. Dec. 31.-Wfth the en-
ltents powers note rejecting Germany's
sp1a0e proposals forwarded by the
/. limited States to the capitals OF the
central allies the dawn OF the new
syear 1917 found the first move FOR
poacc In Europe closed incident.
Peace advocates in Washington set
a4lod down to await the reply of the
S0uteuta to President wilson's sugges-
stf0n that they make clear their peace
Sf6futs. Only the fact that peace tfego-
FttAtions were still in progress, despite
tho tenucus nature of the peace cor
sreepoudence. gave hope for the ulti-
sMlnfe settlement of the dispute be-
N WAan the warning nations,
Eurther commentator for the lresi-
dents peace course came tonight with
word from Athens that ktne Consts n
lime OF Greece. had cahled 10 the Pres
#tdent his enforcement OF the peace pro.
: p0sals of the United States. Kins
& E0nekanttne's communication was IN
sHne with the Communications from
other nenfrais endorsing the Presi-
A0nca piAn and expressed the same
snentimAIftx. II was not on official note
Netting forth the views of Greece on
the peace plan. but Il promised fur
Their rQnmunIcation making clear the
E11efMiled peace views of King Constau
tse's government. The Greek action
~ &HnlOoked for hv the admintstra-
Hon, nwjnw to the disturbed condition
&@ln4SrnAl affalrs in Greece.
pntloek Il BLACK.
limiting that the immediate
TIL MIL trr peace Is black, diplomatic
HWRshinRscn generally took the posi-
Lion ..onight that 1917 will sec the end
&f x4A ccntAst in Europe, The con-
ft 9mt reg citations looking TO-
Seard the discussion OF peace terms
II hFon&ff the United States are already
S4nder way. Germany. following her
formal note suggesting an immediate
II eace conference. in reply TO the Pres
1dent's peace note. has already sub
mifted 20 this country more or less
definite statement OF the aims she
seeks to accomplish before the war
ends The entente powers, peace ad-
yocEtes hope. may take similar action
even IL their forthcoming reply TO the
Presidents note follows the lines laid
down In the entente note rejecting
@ermany's direct peace proposals. Tho
gafetstc note is looked for to arrive in
Washfnvt m before the end OF the
week. and the administration hopes
that It. ike the German reply will
leave the way open for confidential
peacc negotiations through this coun-
Acting tS Messenger
The administration tonight was
careful to make II clear that IN trans
the entente reply 10 The leu
lt04ic allies. IL is acting merely as a
dipiomatic messenger. The state De-
spartment declined to make public the
- .z1 fA~ ..F =, 4
saatd that ii would officially take no
cOgnizance of the nature % the reply,
- this lraa- II -u+s- plata that the
administration Ii determined 10 dis
regard the entente reply To Germany
- far as its own negotiations are
EnHcetned. and 10 keep tho two peace
movements entirely separate Admin
3Mtration officials said that tAls Coun~
Ny's entire activity toward peace CEN
MRS In the Presidents note. and the
nction Of other neutrals in support
~ his plans They emphasized the
desire that this move
aent should not he confused with
8ermAny's direct peace proposals.
s# Neither the White House nor the
nate Department would comment to-
NlGht on the attitude taken by the
pAnlsh government in its note de-
DllHing to Join with the President in
Ms peace plans at this time The
Department said that no comment
WOULD b forthcoming pending the re-
21eipt AZ the formal copy of the note.
S# n vas tacttly admitted, however.
4Aat HE President in making his
pAce move, had sought TO enlist the
'4qppoft of the entire neutral world
ma that the neutral nations had been
NpoctAcAlly requested to join in his
Nmand on the tehigerents. The ac-
on OF SIAin was a disappointment,
.4he administration has been as
oA that practically all the other
XtrAls will respond to the Presi-
Nh request for cooperation.
Hay Make Separate Move.
D1plematic Washington saw In the
NTH note confirmation of the dis
cSee OF the + International News
4eo 70 the effect that Spain is pre-
n 70 make q separate peace move,
3hAt an invitation for an ''imme-
peace conference to meet on
Nt6h soil may be expected at any
M administration is anxiouslv
Mo word from Holland and the
and Central American nations
&o their peace position. Latin
e1cAn diplomats declared tonight
practically joint action by the
american nations may he ex-
o4 ut any time.