The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1917-08-02
D. S. SEES PLOT IN
. BERLIN PEACE TALK
Intended to Influence Public
Opinion Among NeutraIs.
ONLY ONE CONCESSION GIVEN
Washington Says Teutons Always Talk
Peace After Military; Success
Treated as Sign Of Weak.
ness by London.

$3.50 ~ @S'S~'"a
Washington, July 31.-"Germany's
latest peace suggestion, sent forth
from Berlin and Vienna, carry moth
ing new. They are intended only to
influence public opinion in neutral
countries and possiblyrin Russia. The
United States cannot seriously consid-
er them" .r.
This was as far as Washington Of
ficialdom cared to. go in commenting
on the cabled statements of Imperial
Chancellor Michaelis of Germany and
Foreign Minister Czernin of Austria.
At the state department it was en-
phasiZed that this latest peace talk.
coming apparently by concerted ar
rangement, in no way differed from
previous utterances along this line by
Teutonic chiefs.
Only Slight Concession.
'"The only concession apparently
made" explained responsible state de-
partment officials, ~ the statement
that there is no desire now to discuss
who was responsible for the war.
1T Is not mere coincident that
Vienna and Berlin should utter iden-
nc statements at time when the
Austro-German forces seem TO be
sweeping the Russians before them.
Always after a success Germany has
talked peace and In every instance in
the hope that it would influence neu.
trail action.
"Why, when Germany made her
peace proposals before the entry of the
United States into the war, the state
department made earnest efforts to de-
termine whether these proposals We're
made in good faith. At that time it
was apparent that there was German
conspiracy against the United States.
Even while Germany was processing
friendship to this country and endeav-
oring to prevent it entering the war;
the German foreign Office was directly
conspiring against this country and
was trying to line up Mexico and ia
pan against it.
"The latest suggestions contain no
promises and make no concessions for
peace. Germany has not changed her
attitude in any way"
Two Sets of Peace Terms.
From another source it was learned
that the state department is in pos
session of definite proof that before
Count Won Bernstorff was handed his
passports Germany had two distinct
sets of peace terms. One was given
publicity by the then ambassador de-
claring for. peace through restoration
Of the status quo. The other, given In
confidence to German agents, provided
that Germany would demand retention
of Belgium and other occupied terri
tory.
It was stated semiofficially that
President Wilson would take no notice
ut this time of the latest peace sug-
geStlons.
Acting Secretary of State Polk said
that he had received the request Of
certain New Workers constituting the
peoples council" for permission to
cable congratulations to the German
reichstag leaders who led the fight for
the mo annexation and no indemnity
resolution. He said that he would not
make the request public and that he
had 1t under consideration.
Peace Talk Is Weak?
London, July Establishments by
Doctor Michaelis, German imperial
chancellor, and Count Czernin, the
Austro-Hungarian foreign minister
which are regarded here as obviously
made in collision, dominate the news
columns of the newspapers.
They are generally treated editor
tally as sign of weakness, while the
absence of reference to the future of
Belgium and Serbia is considered to
exclude all credence In the desire for
peace by understanding.
Austro-German peace talk, unless
accompanied by an undertaking to
evacuate and restore conquered terri.
| tories, is declared merely to be aimed
at delayiW5 Americas preparations for
war.
Herr Michaelis accusations against
France are dismissed by some common.
tators as belt left for refutation by
French allies, but discussed by others
one of which says the story is too thin
even for the Germans to believe.
The Daily News, however, maintains
that although the chancellor's state.
ments are yalueless as evidence, they
cannot be left unanswered, and insists
that statement of war aims to be
formulated at the coming conference
of allies must constitute an explicit
disavowal of all thought of conquest
for conquest's sake.