make.

Diplomatists are disposed to believe that through such informal
conversations something definite in the way of peace terms may yet be
obtained as a working basis. If a concord of opinion for the discussion
of peace terms were reached President Wilson then would endeavor to
obtain an acceptance by all the belligerents of the original tender of
good offices. This would not mean a cessation of hostilities, unless the
mediating power specifically made it a condition of mediation and all
the belligerents agreed to it. An armistice would not hinder military
movements or preparations, serving merely as a truce while peace was
discussed.

President Wilson already has indicated that he believes that the final
reckoning of the war should be made in a conference of the European
powers, and it would be the function of the United States to preside at
such a conference if its services as a mediator were accepted.

Various reports were current today that Germany had named several
conditions under which she would make peace, that she had refused
proposals to alter the territorial status of her empire and possessions,
and would cede no territory or dismantle her fleet, but it was said
authoritatively that nothing of this character was contained in any of
the messages from Berlin to the American Government.

A statement made at the White House today was the first authoritative
acknowledgment that any inquiry on the subject of Germany's attitude
concerning peace had been made by the United States. Officials
heretofore have maintained silence in regard to the effort made by the
Government to get at the bottom of the expression in favor of peace
reported to have been made by the German Emperor to the Imperial
Chancellor and mentioned in a private conversation in New York by Count
von Bernstorff, the German Ambassador to the United States.

What was said by Count von Bernstorff in that conversation brought Oscar
S. Straus post-haste to Washington, and as a result of what he told
Secretary Bryan instructions were sent to Ambassador Gerard to ascertain
whether the remarks attributed to the Emperor were to be taken as an
indication that the German Government would not be averse to the
exercise of the good offices of the United States in an effort to end
the hostilities in Europe.

The conversation at which the German Ambassador made the statement
occurred at the house of James Speyer, the banker, in New York. Oscar S.
Straus, a me