THE MORNING OREGONIAN, . WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1916.
3
BERLIN'S PROPOSAL
LETS NEUTRALS ACT
Washington Thinks Germany
Will Seek to Restore Bor
l. ders as Before War.
OFFICIAL NOTE AWAITED
Colonel House May Be Sent to
turope Entente Diplomats Say
Proposal Was Made to Jm
press German People.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 12. Germany's
proposal for peace is regarded here as
having broken tne chains which for
months have restrained the United
States as well as other neutrals from
making offers of mediation.
Now that one set of belligerents has
signified its willingness to discuss
peace terms a condition often reiter
ated as necessary to any action by
President Wilson there are indica
tions that -when the United States, act
ing as the intermediary, transmits the
German proposals, it may accompany
Its action by some steps to throw the
Influence of the United States into the
balance for at least a. consideration,
however preliminary, of the terms on
which a lasting peace might be brought
to the world. Some ranking officials
of the American Government believe a
league of nations, such as President
"Wilson has suggested,, must be the
outcome, and it could not be perfect
ed without the participation of the
United States.
Comment Not Decided On.
Whether the United States will trans
mit the German proposal without any
comment whatever, or accompany it
with some formal or informal expres
sion, will not be decided until the note
delivered to American Charge Grew In
Berlin reaches President Wilson's
hands, probably tomorrow.
There were indications that Presi
dent Wilson might find some way to
express the solemn and earnest wish
of the United States for a careful con
sideration of the suggestion of peace,
even before the entente governments
have made known their attitude toward
the German proposal. This, it was
pointed out, would necessarily be done
in such a delicate and ultra-confidential
way that it never would be known
publicly should the allies decline the
offer. This course was said to be ab
solutely necessary so as to leave the
United States free and unembarrassed
to act when an acceptable peace offer
comes.
Colonel House May Go to Europe.
Regardless of whether President Wil
son decides to accompany the German
proposal with any word, it was said to
night he unquestionably would take
steps to learn the attitude of the en
tente allies toward the peace move and
possibly might send to Europe his per
sonal friend and adviser. Colonel E. M.
House.
None of the official dispatches had
arrived tonight. The Government's
first intimation was conveyed in The
Associated Press dispatches from Ber
lin. President Wilson was said to be
"deeply interested, but reserving com
ment." Secretary Lansing maintained
a. similar attitude. The Cabinet dis
cussed the development at Its regular
Tutsday meeting, but the situation
was described by members as so ob
viously delicate that no announcement
could be made.
Absence of Terms Toted.
The absence of any specific terms for
peace in the note or in the German
Chancellor's speech was in a measure
a disappointment to those who expect
ed some concrete expression of a basis
on which negotiations might begin. The
German Embassy, however, is in pos
session of advices which outline in a
general way what Germany expects,
and the diplomats of the entente pow
ers, through their means of being sup
plied .with Information, believe they
have a general idea of what terms the
central powers are willing to agree
to as the basis of discussion.
Recent dispatches to the German
Embassy indicate a belief that the gen
eral terms might be in substance as
follows:
A restoration of the status quo exist
ing before the war. This includes the
evacuation of Belgium and the restora
tion of the occupied portions of North
ern France, with the exception of Al
sace Lorraine. No authorized expres
sion was obtainable from the Embassy
as to whether conditions would be at
tached to the restoration of Belgium
and French territory, but it was under
stood that the German idea was to
make provision for the future neutral
ity of Belgium and probably propose
defortif ication, particularly of the city
of Antwerp.
Return of Colonies Expected.
It was also understood that no con
ditions amounting to economic control
of the mineral lands of Northern
France would likely be asked. All
Germany's lost colonies she expects to
be returned. Her possessions in the
Pacific, however, are not a subject -f
great concern, and the Berlin govern
ment is understood to be ready to re
linquish the claim of Kiauchau.
The security of Turkey in possession
of Constantinople would probably be
insisted upon Dy the central powers,1
as well as the restoration of Albania.
The establishment of Independent
kingdoms in Lithuania and Poland
would be one of the factors in the
German proposals, although that part
of Poland possessed by Germany at the
outbreak of the war would not be in
cluded. Italian Border Status Not Clear.
What adjustment would be made to
cover the Trentino region between
Austria and Italy, or any provision
affecting Egypt, the Suez Canal, Meso
potamia or the gateways of control to
the Indian Empire are not made clear.
The Balkan situation is considered
so delicate it would have to be untan
gled in peace conference.
The whole German view of the peace
move is that it is a step toward a
discussion of peace terms, which ought
to show some definite progress early
in January. There is said to be no
possibility of a peace conference be
ing held in the United States. Berne
and The Hague are mentioned as most
likely places and it is not doubted that
Count von Bernstorff, the German Am
bassador here, would go as one of his
country's representatives.. His attitude
was expressed tonight in the following
statement:
"I am of course extremely gratified
at the step that has been taken. I hope
that it will be successful. Even if
it does not lead to peace it offers
proof that Germany wants peace, even
after a victorious campaign, and- does
not desire the responsibility for fur
ther suffering of mankind, loss of life
and property. Germany wants peace
and does not desire conquest. I can
not say anything about the terms."
Diplomats or the entente allies here
regard the peace offer as having the
aouoie purpose of placing upon the
allies the responsibility for continuing
the war and of impressing upon the
German people that they are fighting
a defensive conflict with enemies who
refuse quarter. Coming immediately
after the culmination of the triumphant
Roumanian campaign, the peace offer,
the entente diplomats say, is intended
also to impress the German people that
they need have no lack of confidence in
their government to continue the war.
The actual procedure in conveying
Germany's proposal to her enemies, ac
cording to precedent, begins with
Charge Grew forwarding the note to
Washington. - The State Department
then will forward it to the American
Ambassador, resident in the country,
to be addressed, and he in turn will
present It to that government, acting
in the interest of Germany and her
allies. The United States now repre
sents Germany and Austria in Belgium,
France, Great Britain, Japan, Russia,
Serbia and Roumania: it represents
Turkey in France, Great Britain and
Japan. It does not represent Bulgaria
anywhere and represents none of the
belligerents in Italy, Portugal or Mon
tenegro. An immediate effect of the peace de
velopments upon the United States will
be to hold practically in abeyance all
the diplomatic issues pending with the
warring countries. The new submarine
issue with Germany, tne protest against
deportation 5f Belgians, the controver
sy with Great Britain over mails and
commerce, all will mark time until it
becomes apparent whether they will
be solved by the advent of peace.
Regardless of how far Germany's pro
posal may be expected to go toward
ending the war, it was regarded as of
the greatest significance that for the
first time in two and a half years of
war one group of belligerents had ad
dressed the other on the subject through
the channels of diplomacy.
In German quarters here it le be
lieved that any sort of an armistice
during a discussion of peace plans
would be out of the question, because
this is an economic as well as mili
tary war. It would mean great loss of
time and in the event of failure of over
tures probably would see the opening
of the Spring campaign without any
thing accomplished. Meanwhile, the
central powers, it is said, expect all
neutrals to encourage peace talk.
Decision Reached Saturday.
So far as has been disclosed, no
intimations reached the American Gov
ernment forecasting the action o - the
central powers. Today a dispatch sent
from Berlin Sunday night to the Ger
man Embassy announced the Intention
of the government to make public
peace proposals "probably Tuesday."
This was taken to indicate that the
move had been decided vpon Saturday
or Sunday and probably after Emperor
William's five-hour conference with
General von Hindenburg.
As the text of the Chancellor's speech,
the note to the belligerents and the
note to the Holy See were published,
it became apparent that the Germanic
allies had not proposed specific peace
terms, but rather had initiated a move
ment for peace.
The first brief announcement from
Berlin that Germany and ' her allies
proposed to enter into negotiations for
peace led many of them to suppose that
actual terms were to be advanced, and
they eagerly waited for the details.
But as it was disclosed that a proposal
for peace, rather than a suggestion of
terms, was being made, it became ap
parent that the matter resolved itself
in effect into an official communication
of what German statesmen have said
many times before in public and in
the press that they were willing to
discuss peace on terms which would
assure a lasting one. '
GERMANY PROPOSES PEACE
(Continued From First Page.)
ures of civilization have been destroyed.
Extensive acres have been soaked with
blood. Millions of brave soldiers have
fallen in battle and millions have re
turned home as invalids. Grief and
sorrow fill almost every house.
"Not only upon the belligerent na
tions, but also upon neutrals, the de
structive consequenpes of the gigantic
struggle weigh heavily. Trade and
commerce, carefully built up in years
of peace, have been depressed. The
best forces of the nations have been
withdrawn from the production of
useful objects. Europe, which former
ly was devoted to the propagation of
religion and civilization, which was
trying to find, solutions for social prob
lems and was the home of science and
art and all peaceful labor, now re
sembles an immense war camp in which
the accomplishments and works 'of
What Piano
Price Chord
Do YOU
' Want to Strike?
No Matter
You Can Strike .It
Easily and Truly in the
Lipman-'Wol f e
Piano Store
Without the risk of selecting
the WRONG instrument.
Every one is right
every one comes to us with
a repute that u)e can adopt
and make a part of this
store's reputation.
And Furthermore, Here
You will find dependable pianos
every day in the year at prices
less than the widely advocated
special piano sales, now so as
siduously beguiling the holiday
shopper. g
Does Your Price
Chord Strike !
$142,$167,$197,$243?
If so, let us show you how it is i
possible to sell good, reliable, de- J
pendable pianos at these extreme- 2
ly low prices. I
Special Xmas Terms
J o ouit rour Convenience ?
. Seventh Floor.
crMctdiaadue oTcJ Merit Only"
that Germany is ready to give peace
to the world by setting before the
whole world the question whether or
no it is possible to find a basis for an
understanding.
"Since the first day of the pontifical
reign. His Holiness the Pope has un
swervingly demonstrated In the most
generous fashion his solicitude for the
innumerable victims of this war. He
has alleviated the sufferings and ameli
orated the fate of thousands of men
Injured by this catastrophe. Inspired
by the exalted ideas of his ministry.
His Holiness has seized every opportun
ity in the interest of humanity to end
so sanguinary a war.
"The imperial government Is firmly
confident that the initiative of the four
powers will find friendly welcome on
the part of His Holiness and that the
work of peace can count upon the
precious support of the Holy See.''
3 MEET AFTER 53 YEARS
SURVIVORS OF FIVE BROTHERS IN
CIVIL WAR ARE REUNITED.
One Orders "Fatted Calf and Other
Faints When Third Walks Into
Gresham Home.
SEATTLE. Wash., Dec. 12. (Special.)
Separated 53 years. George Hamilton,
of the Soldiers' Home'at Port Orchard,
and his brothers, William and Charles
Hamilton, of Gresham, Or., met through
a pension office clerk. George Hamil
ton, returning from the reunion,
stopped at the Stevens Hotel today on
his way back to Port Orchard.
From Southern Michigan five brothers
enlisted under Lincoln. They were
William Hamilton, Andrew Hamilton.
John Hamilton, James Hamilton and
George Hamilton, all sturdy farmer
lads. Charles wa3 too young.
When peace was declared George,
the youngest, went West, and finally
entered the Port Orchard home opened
to him.
Many times George Hamilton 'won
dered what had become of the other
brothers.
George Hamilton reached three score
years and ten, and when he applied
POSLAM KEEPS
THE SKIN FREE
FROM ER OPTIONS
Often when Poslam Is applied to an
eruptional spot, that Is the last you
will see of the disorder, and the skin
is clear next morning.
Poslam is efficiency itself in the
treatment of any skin trouble. Its
merits are easily demonstrated by trial
overnight. Complexions are beautifully
cleared; Blackheads and adolescent
Pimples removed. Nothing equals Pos
lam for Eczema. Itching stops at once.
All eruptional troubles are controlled
and driven away.
Your druggist sells Poslam. For free
ample write to Emergency Labora
tories. 33 West 25th St., New Tork.
Poslam Soap, medicated with Poslam,
for toilet and bath. '
CHANGES MADE BY WAR IN EUROPE.
t Peace proposal finds new world map.
Germany's move for peace comes just two years and 133 days after
she declared war on Russia and two years and 129 days after Eng
land declared war on Germany.
German territory held by allies The western edge of Alsace-Lorraine.
Austro-Hungarian territory captured by the allies About half of
Galicia and all of Bukowina and the northern fringe of Trentino, as
well as the western border of the Istrian Peninsula, north of the city
of Trieste.
Turkish territory captured by the allies All of Northeastern Arme
nia and part of Mesopotamia.
Bulgarian territory taken by the allies None.
Entente territory occupied by the German allies Northeastern
France, practically all of Belgium, Poland and Lithuania, more
than half of Roumania, all of Serbia and Montenegro and nearly all
of Albania, as well as a part of Persia and Egypt. Some of Greek
Macedonia Is occupied by the German-Bulgarian forces, although
Greece is not in a state of war.
Germany lost practically all her oversea colonies.
many decades are doomed to annihila
tion. "Germany s carrying on a war of
defense against her enemies, who
aim at her destruction. She fights to
assure the integrity of her frontiers
and the liberty of the German nation,
for the right which she clalme to de
velop freely her intellectual and eco
nomic energies in peaceful co-operation
and on an equal footing with other
nations. All the efforts of their ene
mies are unable to shatter the heroic
armies of the Teutonic allies which
protect the frontiers of their countries,
strengthened by the certainty that the
enemy shall never pierce the iron wall.
Those fighting on the' front know
that they are supported, by the whole
nation, which inspired by love for
its country and is ready for the great
est sacrifices and determined to defend
to the last extremity the inherited
treasure of intellectual and economic
work and the social organization and
sacred soil of the country.
Willingness for Peace Affirmed.
"Certain of our own strength, but
realizing Europe's sad future if the war
continues; seized wft.h pity in the face
of the unspeakable misery of humanity,
the German Empire, in accord with her
allies, solemnly repeats what the Chan
cellor already has declared a year .go,
for an increase In his pension officials
asked where his relatives were, and he
answered they were all dead, but the
pension clerk found William Hamilton,
aged 83, of Company E, First Michigan
Cavalry, living at Gresham, Or., and
wrote to George. When George Hamil
ton heard this he arranged a "sur
prise" party at Gresham. t
"William, I am George, your brother,"
he said, walking in.
"Are you Gecft-ge Hamilton?" William
ejaculated. "I thought you dead 20
years."
Turning to a grandson he said: "Some
one hoist Old Glory, and we'll prepare
the fatted calf."
Charles, the youngest brother, was
visiting William's home when George
called. The incident was too much for
him. He fainted away.
We Have Gone After "Big Christmas Business".
In the Most Earnest and Deliberate Fashion
You will find in every section of the store things well worth your buying, as to their new, seasonable timeliness and their
very attractive prices.
We cannot refrain from commenting upon the holiday business of this store. One mark after another jias been reached
and passed, but increasing business is not the cause but the effect of public approval, and that is the most gratifying thing
about it. -
The $75,000 Art Sale
Surpassing any event of its kind ever recorded in the Northwest.
Thousands of wonderful gifts from 25c to $200.00.
At Quarter to Half Off
Sixth Floor.
Extraordinary Handkerchiefs
A remarkable showing of thousands of dozens of imported hand
kerchiefs. Every one sold at prices unaffected by. war or scarcity
of supply.
A Record of Which .We Are Justly Proud
First Floor.
Sale of Discontinued
Hand -Embroidered Models
Lingerie underwear, children's dresses, towels, bath sets, table covers,
boudoir caps, fudge aprons and many novelties all made up and
beautifully hand embroidered.
From One-Half to One-Third Off and Less
Fifth Floor.
The Finest of Leather Goods
Imported and American makes, in all kinds of novelties, afford
ing the greatest opportunities for buying Xmas gifts at a
Lesser Expense Than Anywhere Else in Town
First Floor.
Telephone Protest Dismissed.
SALEM, Or., Dec. 12. (Special.) An
order dismissing- the complaint of the
First National Bank of Albany against
the Pacific Telephone & Telegrah
Company and Home Telephone & Tele
graph Company, asking- for a physical
connection, was entered" today by the
Public Service Commission. The ques
tion has been in constant litigation for
some time andi the connection has been
maintained.
Remarkable Gift Opportunities
In This Jewelry Sale
Wherein we are closing out many odd pieces and assortments of finest
examples of gold and silver jewelry, many of which are stone-set,
others in plain or engraved designs.
j AT HALF PRICE
Solid Gold Watches Half Price
" Swbs, Elgin and Waltham makes bracelet watches, women's
open-face and hunting-case watches; men's open and closed-face
watches and thin models.
Solid Gold Lockets and Chains Half Price
Lockets from the simplest to the finest diamond and stone-set
designs lodge charms and emblems.
All Opera Glasses
Mother of pearl and leather covered. All sizes, many with
handles.
Solid Gold Pencils and Match Boxes Half Price
Plain and engraved pencils and handsomely engraved match boxes.
Fine Oriental Jewelry Half Price
The most beautiful of colored stone-set effects in La Vallieres,
brooches, bar pins and many other novel pieces that cannot be
duplicated at any price.
All Gold Beads at Half Price
First Floor.
FOR MEN
An Extraordinary Sale
Handsome Silk
SCARFS
That have been arriving by every express for the last three days. ' The
entire assortment is now here, and these we place on sale
At Five Exceptional Prices.
65c, 95c $1.25
$1.35, $1.65
In order to secure the finest silks in the most
exclusive designs and colorings, we were com
pelled to wait until the last possible moment
before placing this great Christmas order
but it is here and the scarfs are the handsomest
we have ever offered in a Christmas sale.
Here are some of the materials:
Silk Moire Figured Silks
Satin Stripes Persian Silks
Imported French Silks
Imported Italian Satins
Heavy Brocaded Silks
Imported French Basket Weaves
And we never showed a better or a larger
assortment of colorings and designs.
If you're buying them for gifts we will put
them in a holiday box, and no doubt, Mr. Man,
you will want several for yourself.
First Floor. Just Within
Washington Street Entrance.
When in Doubt, Give a
Lipman-Wolfe
Glove Order
On Sale First Floor.
CMerchandiso of c Merit Only"
A Lipman-Wolfe
Merchandise Bond
mill easily solve the sift question.
On Sale First Floor.
KQH
WAR STOGKS SUFFEB
Wall Street Taken by Surprise
at Peace Talk.
MARKET IS DEMORALIZED
Powerful Interests Close to Entente
Allies Unprepared for News,
but Seem to Think the Pro
posal Will Be Ignored.
NEW TORK, Dec' 12. Unsettlement
bordering upon demoralization overtook
the stock market today on announce
ment of peace overtures by Germany
and her allies. Losses of five to ten
points were sustained by such specula
tive Issues as United States Steel, Cru
cible Steel, New Tork Airbrake, Utah
Copper, Central Leather, International
Paper and American Locomotive, while
Bethlehem Steel declined 27 points.
Gulf States Steel 19 and United States
Industrial Alcohol 13.
Bankers whose connections with the
central powers are admittedly close
made no effort to conceal their sur
prise and the powerful Interests repre
senting the entente allies seemed un-
Lprepared for the news. Neither of these
posals, but the Inference gathered was
that the entente allied powers would
not seriously entertain negotiations at
this time. .
In so-called neutral Quarters the
opinion was expressed that Germany's
terms were far more comprehensive
than had been expected. Nevertheless,
it seemed to be the more general opin
ion that the psychological moment for
a peace meeting was still some months
off. In this connection, notice was
taken of the fact that exchange on
Germany and Austria today moved far
ther away from those countries than
before, with recurrent weakness in
rates on Italy and Russia and a new
low quotation for Anglo-French bonds.
Some correction of these adverse con
ditions was noted before the end of the
day. x
For use In French colonial waters
where rank vegetation would foul sub
merged wheels, shallow-draft boats
have been built that are driven by
aeroplane motors and propellers.
For Xmas "
Give "Her" the
Easiest Running
Cleaner Made
Just turn on the current, guide
the Hoover on its easy rolling
wheels, and, like magic, it sweeps
up all lint, hair, thread and other
surface dirt shakes to the sur
face and removes the heavy, im
bedded dirt and leaves your
rugs thoroughly clean. It's so
easy in operation that the chil
dren can help, and they love to
do It ,
"hoovers
sucntm
Is the only electric carpet sweep
er and vacuum cleaner combined
In addition to removing every
bit of the dirt. It straightens the
nap of your rugs and carpets to
its correct position and keeps
?our carpets and rtt-gs looking
Ike new. With a Hoover, your
rugs won't need to leave the
floor.
See the Hoover
d e monstrated
you'll understand
then why it is su
perior and you'll
decide this Is the
v a. a u u m cleaner
you want In your
i home.
Today
Hoover
Day
On Bale Fifth Ploor.
The very air is now becoming'-i
; ?aT7-V charged with the spirit of giving, a - ' g
; ?tg! fj r Christmas will -soon be here. ' "7W?J
: The choice and preferred gift is flr ijy A
fyAuMl ne one which endures, because it ifAtEEy i5
3A 'Ml suggests the continuity of love and jr jrl
j&r Ml Such a gift is a diamond ring, a u
HI watch or piece of jewelry. IB
Tffi tjj j You will find at this store every- I -g f&Jtl
R: thing that would distinguish a I R 320
p-f Y1- H first-class jewelry store gifts of U
j-Jfc: HI rare value for the lavish spender, fltEE5pl
P 111 and an almost unlimited choice of H
less expensive but charming gifts Iff f"
35kA v su' limited income. tt
jSijjffiftfA Easy Terms Without Extra Charge AsSX
EE3fc See My Special $50 and $100 lif-,
" Diamond Rings They Have lgf&ak
Ijg'Av Largest Diamond Dealer 93 5aJ-;
jjjjj
i
j
f
i
i
i
i
I
c
I
1
O