Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-05-20
WILSON SPEECH
PEACE REPLY
TO THE ENEMY
Secret Overtures Proved TO Be
lnSincerc in Basis After
Investigation

Washington. May 20- President
wilson's speech in New York last
night is hailed in diplomatic cir
cles here as the most timely and
slSnlhcant statement of the status oi
uelnocracy's present position toward
imperial Germany made by any
ieauer since the temporary collapse
.. RUSSIA. The salient features OF
lhe Presidents address-win the
war spurn enemy peace intrigue and
save Russia-epitomize it is said
the present war aims of all the coal
iuon powers against Germany.
mere is general feeling lsrt
that the President has spoken
! stralght from the shoulder on al
matters where frankness was pos.
Slole but there is an intimation that
III one part of his address the Presi-
3eht was giving the world the bene-
III OF ms conclusions without how
ever being at liberty TO direct the
information upon which he based
these conclusions.
This opinion is entertained in some
quarters with particular reference
10 the Presidents illusions to Ger
many insincere peace propaganda
round InSincCrc by Tests
II Is particularly noted that the
President said:
can say with clear conscience
that L have tested these intimations
lpeace intimations) and have found
them insincere."
rms, 1t is pointed out. might ap-
ply TO some of the German peace
propaganda of last year about which
the world at large is fully cognizant
hut next, 1t is noted, the President
says:
now recognize them for what
they are-an opportunity to have Il
Iree hand, particularly in the East
10 carry out purposes of conquest
ana exploitation. Every proposal
with regard to accommodation IN
the West involves reservation with
regard to the East. Now, so far as
i am concerned, intend TO stand by
Russia as well IS France"
The proposals 20 which the Presi-
dent refers have, so far as diplomats
are aware, not been given TO the
public either mere or abroad. II
fact, there has been no German
peace proposal about which the pub.
llc is aware since the temporary
Russian collapse.
There have been rumors and re.
ports that Germany and Austria
were seeking means of opening sec.
ret negotiations with some of theiI
enemy countries in Europe. 1t has
been assumed that the Central Pow
ers oN some direct or indirect means
have sounded the British govern.
ment and questions have been asked
IN Parliament about this, to which
the British government leaders have
replied that il was not opportune tc
answer the questions.
President Probably Informed
The Presidents address is perhaps
the answer. 1t may be assumed that
the President has been fully aware
OF what has been going on and that
he regards the whole intrigue n,
out of all consideration.
1t Is very likely, it is explained
that the President is not at liberty
10 disclose the information he has or
German secret peace intrigues be.
cause this information may belong
10 entente governments and lnay
have been communicated to him in
confidence.
With respect to all recent Ger.
man peace intrigues it has beer
broadly hinted that they have beer
based on concessions in the West in
return for free hand in the East
which would permit Germany tc
carry out her "Mitteleuropa" dream
which Teuton military leaders re.
gard as a vitally important stepping
stone for future world domination