The sun., 1918-01-08
GERMAN BLUFF.
NOW PREDICTED
Washington Hears Foe May
Accept Allied Terms "as
Basis for Conference"
ONLY DIPLOMATIC MOVE
Depend Upon "COncession" to
Embarrass Allied Countries
With Own People.
ONLY DIPLOMATIC MOVE
Special DespotcA to The scs.

special Deep0frh 10 IHB SCS.
WAsHINGToN, Jan. 7--In,erest has
shifted to the effect which Premier
Lloyd Georges outline OF the Allies
peace terms will have on the German
Government and advance indications Of
a contradictory but sensational charac-
ter have reached here. One suggestion
from a particularly well Informed neu-
trail source Is that Or. Won Kuhlmann,
the German Foreign Secretary, may
seek to have his Government accept
the terms 'as a basis for tho calling
Of conference to discuss means Of
ending the war"
This admittedly would be more in the
nature Of a diplomatic maneuvre than An
attempt really to discuss terms on any
such basis as Lloyd George outlines,
but there Is a pronounced feeling here
that tho German diplomats are seeking
to turn every form Of peace talk TO
their own advantage and that they may
hope to foster pacinst sentiment in
enemy countries by accepting the
Lloyd George outline.
Germany May Reply.
IN this connection it is believed possi-
BILE than Van Kuhlmann. Or perhaps
Count Won HertlnE. the Imperial Chan
cellor. shortly may reply to Lloyd
George by a speech in which the willing
ness Of Germany "to discuss' peace on
that platform would be announced
According to information received
here. Won Kuhlmann has long been seek
ing an opening wedge for making an ap-
peal to the peoples Of enemy countries
on behalf OF peace. which he believes
would accomplish the double purpose Of
forcing them to bring pressure on their
respective governments and slackening
Americas present var preparations.
A salient feature Of the whole German
peace propaganda. It Is pointed out has
been 70 4fSIoarrass the enemy Govern
ments with their own people Won
Kuhltnann therefore may succeed In
yersuadine the war lords that II would
he difficult. II not impossible. for the
Entente Governments to refuse to enter
Into negotiations n Germany accepted
Lloyd Georges speech as basis for
discussion"
There has been. II is explained. a grow
ing feeling In German diplomacy that
peace discussion on any terms would be
preferable to no peace discussion at all.
Even Count Won Bernstorff before he left
the United States urged negotiations ION
any ba sis" The German idea apparently
is TO initiate peace talk primarily as a
war weapon and rely upon growing
peace sentiment in enemy countries as .
valuable German asset.
Government Directs Press.
The idea that the Pan-German press
might storm against any suggestion OF
accepting British terms assumes less i'm
portance tonight in view OF Secretary
Lansing's disclosures that the German
press comment Is directed BY the Imperial
Government
Oflicials here are inclined TO believe
that DIR. Won Kuhlmann will not make
much headway with any plan he may
have to make the Lloyd George speech
a basis OF discussion. They expect Ger
many to oppose the outline OF terms
and then seek to reopen tho peace
talk by a speech from some German
| state sman reaffirming the German posi-
tion and seeking to Justify it. There is
also n suggestion here that Germany
may make the British terms the reason
for a renewed outburst OF military effort
all along the line.