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Show DIPLOMATS SEE OPEN DQOR FOR PEflOIEi German Ambassador in Washington Says Germany Ger-many Is Ready to Discuss Dis-cuss Specific Terms. DISARMAMENT HINT MADE IN STATEMENT Belief Is That Teutonic Powers Would Prefer to I Outline Concessions j in Conference. By International News Service. WASHINGTON, D. C, Dec. 19. Lloyd George's speech leaves the door open for peace. This Is the view of the White house and of the state department. It ie also the view of the German embassy, where the statement was made tonight that Germany would not be the first to close the door.. With the presentation of the allies answer an-swer to the German proposals It is believed be-lieved In official circles actual peace proposals pro-posals will be under way. "It look's to me as if the matter were not finished and as if there will be at least one more interchange of notes," was the comment of Embassador von Berns-torff Berns-torff of Germany. Will Present Terms. Germany, it was declared, is ready to discuss all of the questions brought up by Lloyd. George. This includes the question of reparation, without which the premier is quoted as saying "peace Is impossible.' The essential point in the premier's statement, as the matter Is regarded here, was his announcement that the allies will wait until they hear "what terms and guarantees can be given that are more secure than those which Germany broke." This is looked upon as a demand upon the Germans to present their terms of peace. Germany, it ' was declared tonight, is ready to present those terms, but she does not wish to discuss them in public. The general attitude is that nothing can be gained by a public discussion in which statesmen will feel it necessary to abuse one another and thus keep alive the fires of animosity Conference Desired. Only around conference tables', the Germans Ger-mans argue, can matters of such importance, import-ance, involving the destinies of fourteen nations, be discussed with a reasonable prospect of obtaining an agreement. It is expected that the British answer to the proposal will be delivered to Ambassador Am-bassador Page in London within a very faw days, and will be communicated to Germauy by the American government. In Eitbstance, the German answer is expected to be: "We will tell you our terms if you will come into a conference." This will leave the way open to further negotiations, which up to the point of the actual opening of a conference, will have to be carried on through the medium of American diplomatic representatives in London and Berlin. Germany wishes, if possible, to avoid the statement of direct peace terras in advance of that conference. For Lasting Peace. I It is said to be quite possible that Germany Ger-many may, if necessary, state in a general gen-eral wav some of the questions which she is willing to consider. She believes that there will be much greater likelihood of the negotiations resulting in an agreement agree-ment if the discussion of specific questions ques-tions is avoided in the interchange of notes between the parties to the conflict. con-flict. Attention was called tonight to Lloyd George's declaration that there must be a "complete guarantee against Prussian militarism." It was stated in reply to this that Germany was ready to discuss disarmament, which would be the best possible guarantee against militarism in ail forms. The statement that she was ready to discuss the formation of a league of nations to enforce peace was reiterated. "We would like to know just what Llovd George means by guarantees," said a German authority. "If he means guarantees against another war we are ready to go as far as anyone else, but if he means bv 'guarantees' that Germany must be crushed, then, of course, there will be nothing for us to do but coutinue fighting." In explanation nf Germany s willingness willing-ness to discuss the subject of reparation, repara-tion, it was stated that it would be ten times cheaper to pay now for damage done than pay for the continuance of the war for another year. Officials Hopeful. On this question of reparation, however, how-ever, the Teutonic allies feel that they have the best of the argument and for that reason they are willine to submit to the decifinn of a. conference. The kaiser's representatives maintain that if Germany must pay for damage done in Belgium, northern France, Serbia Ser-bia and Rumania, the allies will have to pay for damage done In East Prussia, Po- (Continued on Pago Five.) SEE OPEN DOOR FOR PEACE PARLEY (Continued from Page One,) land and Galicia, and they believe the bill will be larger on their side. At the slate department the view was taken that Uoyd George's speech had virtually vir-tually opened negotiations for peace. Aa soon as the reply of the allies is conveyed con-veyed to this government these negotiations negotia-tions will be Invested with an official status. Opinion here is that if a conferenre is held it will in all probability take place at The Hasrue. The suggestion was made ton lit that' possibly the first neutral effort in behalf of pence will come in the form of a suggestion from Holland that tiie conference should be held in the Dutch capital. Neutrals Pleased. Gratification was expressed in administration adminis-tration circles that, so far as early reports re-ports indicated, Uoyd George made no intimation in-timation that offers of mediation from neutral governments would be considered as unfriendly acta. The British premier's speech today, like that of the German chancellor a week ago, was regarded as largely intended for home consumption. The utmost significance was attached to the fact that he left the door still open for a continuance of negotiations, and that he did not in advance warn neutrals neu-trals that they should keep their hands off. Don Juan Riano, the Spanish ambassador, ambas-sador, and pr. Paul Kilter, the Swiss minister, min-ister, called at the state department today. to-day. While the purpose of their visit was not disclosed, it was understood that they came to discuss the situation arising from Lloyd George's speech. |