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Show lliflfET FORIOIATION GERMANY SEEKS FIRST TO LEARN TERMS UNDER WHICH ALLIES WOULD MAKE PEACE. imperial Chancellor Suggest That the United States Get Proposals From i the Powers United In War Against v the Tueton Empire. 1 ' I "Washington. Germany has suggested suggest-ed informally that the United States 6hould undertake to elicit from Great Britain, France and Russia a statement state-ment of the terms under which the allies would make peace. The suggestion was made by the imperial chancellor. Von Bethmann-Hollwek, Bethmann-Hollwek, to Ambassador Gerard at Berlin, as a result of an inquiry sent by the American government to learn whether Emperor William was desirous desir-ous of discussing peace, as Count Bernstorff, the German ambassador, and Oscar Straus recently had reported. re-ported. No reply was mads by Emperor .William himself, nor did the imperial ohancellor indicate whether or not he Bpoke on behalf of hio monarch. Am-bessador Am-bessador Gerard cabled President Wil-Bon Wil-Bon the chancellor's remarks from recollection, which were substantially as follows: "Germany was appreciative of the' American government's interest and offer of services in trying to make peace. Germany did not want war, but bad it forced on her. Even if she defeats France she must likewise panquish both Great Britain and Russia, Rus-sia, as all three have made an agreement agree-ment not to make peace except by Common consent. Similarly, England baa announced through Premier As-qulth As-qulth and 'her diplomatists and news-tapers news-tapers that she intended to fight to the limit of her endurance. In view of that determination on the part of Great Britain, the United States ought to get proposals of peatte from the allies. al-lies. Germany could accept only a lasting peace, one that would make her people secure against future attacks. To accept mediation now would be Interpreted by the allies as a sign of weakness on the part of Germany and would be misunderstood by the German Ger-man people, who, having made great sacrifices, had the right to demand guarantees of security." The above is all that Ambassador Gerard communicated as to his conversation. con-versation. He added only the brief comment that he himself thought the vay might possibly be opened to mediation. |