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Show GERMAN OFFICER SAYS RUSSIA WILL BE FORCED TO QUIT BERLIN", Wednesday, Dec. 13, bv wireless wire-less to the Associated Press, via Sayville, Dec. 16 f delayed in transmission). A military official who is frankly and keenly hopeful that some way may be found to end the war, though lie is none too optimistic op-timistic at the present, today called together to-gether representatives of the neutral press to inquire as to the probable effect of the German peace note in neutral countries. He laid great stress on this point and particularly if there probably would be any tendency to construe the German note as a sign of weakness. Discussing the possibility that all pace propositions may be rejected at present, this ort'ii-er declared Germany was aware the French and British would make another an-other herculean effort In the west next spring an efiort for which Germany would he fully prepared. He expressed the opinion that it could not have any result but continuing slaughter and it would have no more prospects of suc- cess than the Pomme offensive. I In the meantime, this officer continued. con-tinued. Geunany would not give Russia ; time to recuperate, as happened a year . ago. He said Germany was in a position today to force Russia to make peace and that she suiely would do so if the peace overtures were rejected. He asserted Russia was known to Germany to be ex- hausted m a military ami " economical sense, having neither trade, troops nor ammunition. On the word of Hind'enburs that thare woukl he no winter quarters this year, he said Germany did not intend in-tend to give Russia the chance to build up new armies nor tn make up for deficiencies de-ficiencies in ammunition. est and most conservative elements of the empire, it is pointed out, has definitely brought the whole country Into complete unanimity. The German peace proposal, which has given Russia the opportunity for emphatic repudiation of rumors which had been spread abroad without the slightest sentiment In the nation itself, and the appointment of a new foreign for-eign minister who is not uncongenial to the duma, have combined to relieve the political tension and have led to the belief be-lief that the government has acquired new stability. |