The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1917-09-20
BELIEVE GERMANY is NEAR
BREAKING POINT.
Washington Diplomats Hold View
She Can't Go Much Longer.

Washington Diplomats Hold View
She Can't Go Much Longer.
Washington, Sept. 14.-On Mon
day of this week the press associa
tions carried to readers of American
newspapers a story regarding an al
legged outline of Germany's peace
plans, put out, it was stated, as, a
"feeler," and presumably written by
Germany. This document has been
in the rational capital fer neal ~
three weeks, kicking about while
those in charge of it were figuring
on a way to bring it to the attention
of the government.
According to prominent .diplo.
mat, who says he is in possession OF
liable sources, the "feeler" was in
deed the work of Kuhlmann or some
other member of the German gov
eminent and was sent by him to
Pope Benedict, informally, because
of it's similarity in certain respects
to the. pope's own proposal. With
equal Ill nf pr the 20 zee was
Catholic legation in this city, which,
week, invited the Dutch minister to
present it to the American govern
ment There were several confer,
ences between the papal delegate and
the minister, as the result of which
the minister agreed to do as request
The "feeler" was turned over to
the American government, still in
formally, about the middle of last
week, and on Friday afternoon Pres
ident Wilson left on the MayfloWer
for the north shore of Massachusetts
to see Colonel House.
This is the way the story is being
told in high diplomatic circles. Inc
News-Press correspondent has none
of his information at first hand, but
he has it from diplomats who are IN
position to know the facts, and who
have freely outlined them in the way
noted
1t is predicted by the diplomats
here referred to that, in case this in
formal "feeler" should be informally
rejected, it will be followed by 9th
ers of a similar character in the
weeks that are to elapse before the
coming of winter weather. Mean
while, Germany is preparing her
formal reply to the p9pe's peace pro
ing made to arouse German, senti-
ment against the position taken by
President Wilson in his reply to the
same proposal. But this formal re
ply, it is asserted, and this effort to
show that German public: opinion
does not indorse the American note
except to throw dust into the eyes
of the world. The real German po-
sition, as at present maintained, 1t IS
asserted, is outlined in the "feeler.
It may be that the others that are eX-
pected to follow it will be more lib
eral; that will depend. on the way
the people Of that country get"
President Wilson's point of view, as
there are signs they are beginning to
do, it may be that they will demand
more liberal terms, and ii they 40,
these terms will be forthcoming. 1t
may be depended upon that Ger
many will leave not stone unturn-
ed 70 or beor Pea cola o %ea aaeer an
She has twofold purpose in this:
First, it will be depended upon to
have quieting effect upon. her war
worn people. She will be in posi-.
ton to say to them that she has tried
repeatedly to end the war, put that
the allies are unwilling, ana then
eral proposals that her terms, in
German eyes, are moderate. II the
allies are correct In their under
standing that there is growing un-
rest in Germany, and that 1t has IN
yaded the ranks of the fighting men,
many of whom are saying that they
will not stay in the trenches over an
other Christmas. the imperial gov
eminent may be. in need of some
such support as is here mentioned.
Second, lull in the fighting is ess
sential to Germany's existence. II
she can secure an armistice. lasting
over the winter, it will not only re-
yive her soldiers and civilians, put
will enable her to pull herself TO-
gether for renewed fighting in, the
spring, should the armistice fall.
President Wilson is vt to be tax
and if there is peace it must oe on
the terms of his reply to. the vatican;
In this connection let it be stated
again that the allies will have no OBJ
lection to the Hohenzollerns as con-
stitutional monarchs. This statemen.
is made Notwithstanding, hints OF a
contrary character that have Deen
given out from this city recently:
The name of the family or OF the
man who would rule Germany under
constitutional form of government
is a mere detail, which would not tor
moment stand in the way OF peace:
The allies might prefer somebody
else than a member of the relgnlng
house but they will not attempt 10
dictate. If Germany gives herself a
RESPONSIBLE form of government, a
Hohenzollern will be no more aple
to upset it than man bearing so"e
other name.