Evening journal., 1917-01-12
NEXTPEACE MOVE
DEPENDS ON word
FROM THE KAISER
Should Offer Square With
Allies Demands, Wilson
Will Renew Efforts
BELGIUM INDEMNITY
Will Be INSISTED ON
BY ROBERT ]. BENDER
United Press STAR C0rrekpondon

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12-Pregident
Wilson's next move in the interna-
tional peace game depends upon what
confidential information no has from
Germany as to terms upon which she
would consider peace at this time.
In the absence of positive lxnowledge
as to what. II any, Information the
President has on this question ofil-
cias today believed the Entente reply
leaves practically no loophole for
further advances by the President now.
Germany must furnish the President
grounds for tho next moxe. should
the President have In his possession
information indicating that the
Entente outline OF her peace dehni-
tlons square TO an encouraging degree
with what Germany would be willing
20 ooncede. another effort by this
government may be expected.
In this connection, a IL understood,
the President has information indica4-
ing Germany would agree to the fol-
lowing concessionsi
Evacuation and indemnifying # Bel
gium, evacuation Of France evacuation
of Poland, evacuation OF Serbia and Ru-
mania.
Germany would demand return of her
colonies-a point not touched upon in
the Entente rcply--and would insist
that neither she nor her Allies be de-
prived Of any territory, including Con
stantinople
In view Of the fact that Russia de-
mands acquisition Of Constantinople and
the Entente reply demands "the expul-
sion from Europe OF the Ottoman Ec-
pire." Constantinople may turn out 70
Dc the chief bone of contention in any
peace maneuvres.
! Germany is willing to indemnify Bel
! giun. because she admits violation Of a
treaty through military necesaity
She would not. under terms talked al
/ her embassy here. be willing 70 indem-
nify othcr small nations invaded because
she was az war with MI OF them before
invasion occurred.
: Uitra-secrecy Is promised now un-
III the President has decided his next
step.
Colonel y. NJ. House. who always
makes his appearance in Washington.
either just after an important inter
national communication has been re-
ceived or one Is about 70 be sent by
this country, Is here today.
House attended a dinner with the
President at Secretary OF State Lam
sings home last night and IS remain
ing at the White House until tonight,
presumably TO confer with the Pres
ident as 10 the next step this gov
ernment will take.
II was hoped that Great Britain
and her Allies would indicate a slight
tendency 70 favor peace deliberations
- ~. 4s4N
could be found, however, in the first
perusal OF the reply. In German cir
cles. It was considered as a fat turn
down Of the proposal.
Ambassador Won Bernstorff held
that il showed determination TO dis
member Germany and her Allies. II
is his belief and it also Is the belief
OF administration officials that refusal
OF the Entente 10 consider peace at
this time will do much toward uniting
more firmly tho Central Powers and
the Teutonic peoples toward a moro
determined pursuit Of the war
What this may lead to is causing
the administration its chief worry.
The verge of war" Interpretation
given the first communication sent by
the President to belligerents was
based on Delief that the neutral posi-
ton Of the United States was rapidly
becoming intolorable and that the sub
marine campaign OF Germany was
straining TO the breaking point friend
ly relations between this country and
the Central Powers.
Ambassador Bernstorff SCOTS At pos
sible danger of a break should peace
negotiations now end.
He declares the Allied reply will
not AFFECT Germany's pledges to the
United States. He adds that there VIII
never be a change in Germany's prom
ises 70 uphold the principle Of cruiser
warfare set down by the United
States.
The danger however. lies In din
culties arising over technicalities. such
as abound in problems OF ship statue,
whether the vessel sunk Is a transport
or not and armed merchantmen.
Il was considered significan. that
the President postponed until prob
ably next week conference with the
Spanish Ambassador. who had an en-