The Washington times., 1917-01-14
BERLIN WILLING TO
GIVE TERMSyIS HINT
Broad Intimation Made in Ger
man Quarter That Kaiser
Would Tell U. S. Proposal.
U,BoAT STATEMENT COMING
important Announcement to Be
Made to Clear Up Sub
marine issue.

A broad hint that Germany would
make known HEP peace terms, IL in
vfted to do so by the United States.
was given today In German quarter.
The hint was put in the form OF an
expression OF belief. but the impress
sion was created that Germany ex-
pected to be asked to state her terms
OF peace as the. next step In the
movement undertaken by President
Wilson. 80
The allies have declared their OBJ
1ects with q surprising completeness.
but II was remarked in German cir
cles that their trems were the yagu-
est possible-restoration reparation.
and guarantees. 1t has been proved
i'm the German belief-therefore
that mediation or a conferences is
necessary for any advance toward
peace.
First Rift In Cloud.
The first rift in the cloud of secrecy
which Surrounds President Wilson's
projected next move in the peace sit
uation was the clear intimation that
statement bearing on the submarine
issue with Germany may shortly be
expected.
Secretary Lansing declined. all ex-
PLANTATION. But in the next few days
the whole situation is likely to be
considerably clearer
Closely affiliated with this outline
OF the United States Governments at
titude will be the worldwide misin-
terpretation which has been made of
the Presidents identie note, and the
erroneous impressions which it Is
feared may have been gathered from
Ambassador Gerard's speech in Berlin
Ambassador Gerard said that never
since the beginning of the war have
the relations bteween the United
States and Germany been as corrial as
now
Importanee Significant.
Secretary Lansing has now receiv-
ed confirmation of this from Mr.. Ger
ard himselw. and the Importance
which is attached to the statement
indicates the relationship which it
will bear to defining this Govern
ments real position.
The report from Mr.. Gerard reached
the White House almost stimuli
taneously with a monster petition
signed by 1921 American citizens de-
manding action against the deporta-
tion Of Belgians. The petition de-
mands that President Wilson make
severance of diplomatic. relations the
penalty for a continuance OF the de-
portations.
II is by no means certain that the
President will be severe toward Ger
many in his next move, for he is un-
tn haf = he
gained by working with instead Of
against the imperial government with
reference to this matter as well as
the submarine controversy.
Realizes Position.
But the President is said to realize
fully now that it will not do for the
Administration to appear to support
Ambassador Gerard's statement con-
eerning the ultra-cordiality of Ger
man-American relations while the
American protest agaisnt Belgian de-
portations remains unheeded and
while the American charges concern
ing the sinking without warning Of
the Arabic and the Marina remain un-
answered.
The great problem which confronts
the President is whether or not the
collapse of the peace talk will render
1t more difficult for the. imperial gov
ernment to accede to American re-.
quests without running counter to
wave of popular indignation through
out Germany.
The apparent sameness of purpose
between the German and American
peace notes greatly strengthened the
hand of the faction led by Chancellor
Won Bethmann-Hollweg. which is
friendly to the United States and be-
lieves that submarine warfare should
not be allowed to jeopardize relations
with America. But now the failure
of the peace parleys, together with
the belligerent speech of the Ger
man Emperor, has aroused the fear
here that Won Bethmann-Hollweg is
certain to lose prestige.
Last Hope Gone.
The German Emperor's speech or
proclamation to the German people Is
regarded as killing the last hope for
peace.
Virtually all the German papers
definitely state that all peace hopes
are at an end.
with the entente slamping the door
to peace parlyes ana with the German
Emperor now calling upon his people
to forget peace and think of prose
cution of the war, there is admittedly
an end to any efforts President VIII
son might hope to make concerning
practical results.
But officials say this does not mean
II has not at least broken the ice"
and got the belligerents to the point
of talking about peace even II this
talk has been very acrimonious.