The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-01-13
Officials to Give the Matter
Careful Study Before
Taking Next Step.
CLASHINC ATTITUDES
MUST BE HARMONIZED
President Wilson May Find
New Method Of Having
Terms Compared.

Washington, Jan. 12-The attitude
of President Wilson toward the replies
OF the warning nations to his 'sugges-
ton that an opportunity be given for
comparing peace terms remained un.
determined tonight.
Preliminary discussion of the ques-
tion was begun at today's cabinet
meeting and at conferences between
the president and Secretary Lansing
and between the president and Colonel
E. NJ. House, who spent the day at the
White House.
Must Reconcile Attitudes.
Informally officials expressed the
opinion that the problem facing the
president is how to reconcile the con-
flicting attitudes of the central powers
and the entente allies on the question
OF comparing terms. The central
powers offered to discuss peace at q
conference of Representatives of the
belligerents. The entente powers,
though virtually declining to agree to
conference, have given their broad
terms publicly. 1t is suggested that
the president might seek new method
of haying terms compared. It was
thought he now would avoid putting
himself in the position of advocating a
narticllar method
European Neutrals May Help.
In one administration quarter, it
was suggested that one or more Eu-
ropean neutrals might urge Germany
and her allies to make public their
peace terms. Others thought it pos
sible that voluntary statement might
be forthcoming from Berlin after the
text of the entente reply had been
handed to the foreign office for its in
formation by Ambassador Gerard. So
far it is understood the note has not
been transmitted to American diplo-
mats in the Teutonic countries. al
though it is generally assumed that
this will be the first. step actually
taken by the United States.
Secretary Lansing broke his silence
on the subject today only to say defi-
nitely that no action had yet been
taken.
Early Peace impossible.
It is generally agreed everywhere
that the nature of the terms of the
entente, with the intimations from
German sources that such terms can
not be accepted. make an early peace
unlikely: The preliminary view Of the
administration. however, still is that
the door to discussion was not entire
ly closed.
In the German view here it rests en-
tirely with the president whether
there will be further negotiations al
this time. 1t is regarded as certain
that the Germanic allies will consider
any proposition Mr.. Wilson may make
and that they probably would be will
ing even to discuss in conference
with their enemies the conditions
stated in the entente reply.
At the same time, it is reiterated
that Germany and her allies neve,
would accept such terms. and should
they agree to enter a conference to
discuss them 1t would be with the idea
that the entente might recede from its
position.
Extreme reticence was observed to.
day at the White House and state de-
partment. 1t was said so many deli
cate points are involved that yer,
careful study will be given to the
problem before any decision is
reached.
The view was generally expressed
that the first milestone in the ne.
gotiations inaugurated by Mr.. Wilsor
had been reached and that there woul:
have to be a general assessment of IA.
entire situation before any further
move could be made