Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-04-20
nominal. United States Steel was the
most active feature. Rock Island was
also active at decline Of 5 points.
WILSON NOT ACCEPTABLE.
Warning Nations Object TO Prssidsn
as Psacemaksr.

Warning Nations Object to President
40 Psaeemaksr.
Washington, April 20.-That none OF
the belligerents will agree to the United
States serving as mediator in the ar
rangement Of peace has been made ap-
parent to the administration.
Indeed. this government is to be ex-
cluded from participation in the nego-
tiations. Europe will hold that the
discussion should be between the bel
llgerents themselves.
In the preliminaries leading up to
the negotiations advantage will be
taken of the United States for the
Transmission of communications. In
other words, we will be only channel
thru which views will be exchanged.
The effect of this attitude, common
to all the belligerents, which has be-
come known here, will be sensibly to
modify the influence this government
will have upon the terms Of peace. AS
mediator. President Wilson would be
in position to urge one side to amel-
iorate its demands and the other to
meet this concession. AS q mere trans
mitter of notes, he could do nothing
Of this kind. He might deem 1t adj
visable 20 express the views Of the
United States to all the belligerents,
but If he should attempt to form COM
binations, he would drag the country
into an awkward situation; and 1t is
exceedingly doubtful If he would deem
such interference advisable unless
American interests were seriously af-
fected.
Why BelIigsrsnts Object.
The objection to American service as
mediator, curiously enough. comes
from all the belligerent nations. Ger
many feels that American sentiment
might not assure consideration of her
interests. Moreover, the German peo-
pie are bitter over the sale of arms and
ammunition to the allies by American
manufacturers. 1t is said the govern
ment would not dare to permit Presi-
dent Wilson to handle Germany's case.
The allies insist that IL they are VIC
torious they will make their own terms
and will not permit any neutral to say
they ought not to do this or ought not
to do that. They are friendly enough
to the United States. but they point
out that they have lost thousands upon
thousands of men in fighting for the
things they regard as essential to their
national lives. They are determined to
get all they can, and look with sus-
picion upon anything the United States
may do.
The suggestions Of peace which have
emanated from DR.. Dernberg, Ger
many's unofficial agent in this coun-
try, and from other German sources
they regard not as put forward for
sincere consideration but in order to
support financial operations and in the
hope Of causing a change in American
sentiment. This sentiment has a
practical value. It permits the fota-
ton Of loans, the adoption and pursuit
of . policy advantageous TO one side
or the other and viii be important
when peace terms are under Econsid-
Grafton.
Wilson Wooss Psaes Chance.
In spite Of the coolness which is be-
ing shown by both sides toward peace
advances, It Is the purpose Of the
president, even If there should be
danger Of rebuff, to seize every op-
portunity. to bring the belligerents to-
gether in peace negotiations. Every
American ambassador in Europe has
his ears open for any talk from re-
sponsible authorities having reference
to the termination Of the war. He can
do no more than that; to initiate peace
would be misinterpreted
and might create such feeling as to
cause representations for his recall.