Show WASHINGTON PUZZLED yAS IQ FUTURE MOYES I TOT r l t- t f 0 Opinion Expressed Expressed- That zat W While Entente Reply Makes hakes It Hard for lor or Germany to to Answer Without Changing Tone Way bray to Peace Still Is Open WASHINGTON Dee Dec 30 There There yore wore no official c expressions here of the views of Ot President Wilson Tilson and the administration on the thc entente tc reply to t the tho o German peace proposals for the dual dud reason that the United St Stale lc is acting only as a. an intermediary between the belligerents an and bc- bc causo canso a policy of silence has been adopted during this stage stave of the peace negotiations L 0 Thu Tho unofficial opinion which proba probably probably I a ably ly was a reflection of or the tho official I hope for tor progress toward peace was that some means for a a. further exchange between tho the warring powers powers' would be I found and that even en if It the present negotiations fall a basis has be been Jn laid which It was hoped would mako make for Cor progress In the final anal annl analysis sis sis' First Informal comment b by one of official of- of tidal who had had a a. chance to stU study carefully an official forecast t and who checked It It the full press pres text was that the allies had held re responded pon ed very cry much na ns expected that the they ha had played their stron strongest est cards for moral support in neutral amon among their own people and countries and that while the they had to reply made macle It hard for Germany German without decidedly edh changing her tone tono they had till left Ifft the door open for an another another another an- an other advance ance Official Washington however was I. I deeply perplexed as to the future and admitted that It probably depended on the Internal conditions and confidence I of or the two warring groups and secondly on how far President Wilson would decide decide de- de cide Ide to pUl push h his own peace efforts On ho tho whole first comment in Indicated that hopes of ot an carl early peace ma may have o diminished but not disappeared Create After reading tho the unofficial text of or orthe he the the note Count Counton von on Bernstorff th the therman German ambassador assa or authorized tho the following fol- fol lowing statement President Wilson having suggested the ho finding of or n a method of or stating terms erms I do not think that this note unto willo will ho 1 o answered b by my government So until after the entente allies have ha replied to the Presidents President's su suggestion stating if It they so o desire the thc mo modus us they pro pro- l' l pose e The German embassy was wa outwardly not fa favorably Impressed cd with tho the tenor of or the tho entente note However or th the tho declaration that A un m mere mero ro suggestion without H M. statement of or terms that trial ne negotiations should be opened d Is not an offer of oC peace was Waft taken talton to contain contain contain con con- tain a n. veiled invitation to give sivo 1 0 terms Th The next tp steps b by the American government gov- gov will not be determined until Wilsons Wilson's the entente reply to President a note nolo l is received ed It H Js expected 1 within a few dol days it Is In expected to I follow follow in a general w way y tho mho tone of or the tho note noto i cd hed today officials ls o It H will make malce clear whether an any good will willbo willbe bo bu accomplished b by further efforts at of or the President pre present on tho the part Vermin Herman embassy officials official po pointed out tho the tl first r l peace offer way was t that hn L since 1 nce made 1 by the central powers Y po erg lS l'S antI and It was waR waRIn In Indicated that the entente ent demanded terms erms a as as' as asa i a preliminary to considering l it the thc central powers have hn Informed President ent Wilson that the they J desire to give gl their terms at a n. COli conference The embassy considers that It now In Is for forthe the tho entente replying to the Presidents President thc want the tho note nato to ray ay whether they terms which the they consider essential c to toan toan toan an offer for peace pence conveyed con to them and I if BO so la lit what manner 6 Co |