"A peace concluded on the German idea would be only to the advantage of the central powers," says the note, "while disasters caused by the war demand penalties, reparation, and guarantees."
The German overtures are described as a calculated attempt to influence the future course of the war and to end by imposing a German peace. The overtures also are said to have the effect of intimidating neutral public opinion as well as to stiffen opinion in the central powers, "worn out by economic pressure and crushed by the supreme effort which has been imposed upon their inhabitants."
"Finally," it is asserted, "these overtures attempt to justify in advance in the eyes of the world a new series of crimes—submarine warfare, deportations, forced labor, and forced enlistment of the inhabitants against their own countries and violations of neutrality."
NO OFFICIAL EXPRESSIONS OF WARS OF ADMINISTRATION
By Associated Press.
WASHINGTON, December 30.-There were no official expressions here of the views of President Wilson and the administration on the entente reply to the German peace proposals, for the dual reason that the United States is acting only as an intermediary between the belligerents, and because a policy of silence has been adopted during this stage of the peace negotiations.
The unofficial opinion, which probably was a reflection of the official tone for progress toward peace, was that some means for a further exchange between the warring nations would be found to be necessary.  powers would be found, and that even if the present negotiations fail, a basis has been laid which it was hoped would make for progress in the final analysis. 