The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-05-02
OLD GAME IS
STARTED AGAIN
Germany's Peace Offensive
Against Allied Morale Be
gins to be Whispered
Broadcast.
WE ARE NOT INTERESTED
Pope is Said to be Preparing Appeal
to the Universal Conscience
to End Germany's
r.-s ..sgy-.s5 Sgy--s-- = Losses
WE ARE NOT INTERESTED
[By Robert j. Bender, United Press
Staff Correspondentl

! [By Robert j. Bender, United Press
Staff Correspondent
WASHINGTON, May 2.-Germany's
expected peace offensive" against al
lied morale seems to have begun
In the view of authorities here to-
day the sudden and widespread launch
ing of rumors, printed reports and
whispered condolences reaching Wash
| ington and involving likelihood Of
peace proffers from the pope, Emperor
Charles of Austria, King Alfonso of
Spain and even the kaiser, is merely
Germany's same old game to slacken
the fighting spirit of her enemies.
And 1T may be stated that President
Wilson is not concerned in this latest
war development. There is nothing to
indicate the frank and open negotia-
tions he demands before peace steps
may be taken.
1t is significant that most of the re-
ports have had their origin in Teuton
newspapers or Teutonic quarters in
neutral countries. There is nothing to
Indicate officially that the pope has
changed from his recently known oppo-
sition to further peace attempts now.
The source and persistence Of r'umors
of new papal peace effort led to gen
eral belief here that Teutonic hope
was father to the thought
However, it is recalled that the
pope's last proposal was heralded in
neutral countries before it was Off
cially launched And it was about ten
days ago that the Munichs Nues Mach
richten announced the pope would
again appeai-this time to the uni
versa conscience"
This report has been followed by
stories emanating from German and
Swiss sources that the kaiser was
deeply moved by the scenes of suf-
fering and horror on the battle front
and he was quoted generously as ex-
pressing grief that his efforts ''to
prevent the tragedy" had failed. The
foundation for the peace offensive had
| been carefully laid.
The reasons for the kaiser's desire
for peace may be found. it is believed
here, not only in his advantageous po-
sition to discuss terms now, but also
in growing uneasiness "back home
Germany's hope of immediate wheat
| supplies from the Ukraine and consid-
cradle iron and manganese from else
where in Russia has proven a will-o'-
| the-wisp. according to official diplo-
matte messages here today.
On top of news Of the Monday Teu-
ton defeat in the Ypres section, word
went to Germany from the Ukraine
that the 12,000,00 pounds of wheat
per month agreed on could not be
provided because tn peasants were
ohiecting Besides, the war-ridden
Ukraine has no surplus, while in some
centers the population is reduced to
rationing.
As for the vital iron ore and man
ganese the dispatches said. the tur
moil in Russia had prevented the min
ing Of them.
Representative Of the central pow
ers are to confer this week in Vienna
with Ukraine officials over the wheat
problem
Advices through diplomatic sources
indicate that German women have
caused considerable inconvenience to