Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-06-11
BELIEVED To ELIMINATE
POSSIBILITY OF WAR
View in Diplomatic Circles Is That
Note Marks Distinct Progress in
Strengthening Out Difficulties.
FIRST STEP TOWARD PEACE
Use of Certain Expressions Inter-
preted as Initial Effort on Part of
President to Reach Understanding
Between Principal Belligerents.
ISpecinl no Tho Tlmes-Disna,ch1


! WASHINGTON, June iG.-The view
of the Presidents note in diplomatic
circles is that it marks distinct prog
ress toward Strengthening out the diff
ficulties existing between the two gov
| ernments. and eliminates the posi-
| bility of war.
From the diplomatic s;andpoint
greatest Significance is attached to the
use of the phrase freedom of all parts
or the open sea-" which is recognized
as Germany's own slogan, and the fol-
/ lowing sentence:
The government of tho United
States is happy to observe that Your
ENccllcncy's note closes with the inti-
nation that the imperial German gov
eminent is willing. now as before. to
accept the good offices Of the United
States in an attempt to come to an UNI
Outstanding with the government OF
Great Britain. by which the character
and conditions OF the war upon the
sea may be changed
These two expressions. in the opinion
of diplomats OF experience. are frausht
with greatest possibilities for the
future. In the most optimistic quar-
tiers, they are interpreted as the first
direction of reaching an understanding
between the two principal belligerents
which Will ultimately result In peace.
WOULD ELIMINATE
CHIEF CAUSE OF WAR
This theory is based on the under
standing that the United States is as
much interested as Germany in obtain
ing from Great Britain assurances OF
the freedom of the sea" When this
general condition is brought about, it
Is said. 1t Will eliminate the principal
cause of the war between Germany and
Great Britain, and peace is bound to
follow.
Tho opinion was expressed also that
President Wilson had this in mind in
writing the note. 1t has been known
for some time that high officials of
the State Department believe that the
peace negotiations, when they are ac-
tually begun, will revolve almost en-
tircly around Germanys demand for
n general agreement, giving to all ma
tons the freedom of tho sea for their
commerce. in war ns we'll as in peace.
1t is understood the President has the
same view.
Although tho reference TO the sub
ject in the note is specifically TO an
understanding by which the character
and conditions Of war upon the sea"
may be changed. the view in diplomatic
circles IS that this is as far rs the
President could go in his frs, step II
is held as general proposition In din
lomatic intercourse, according to au-
thorities, that the man who asks little
In the beginning gets much in the end:
and the man who asks much in the be-
ginning gets little in the end"
II was recalled as Significant today
that in the second Hague conference.
the United States cndeavorcd TO get
an agreement providing for the free
dom OF the sea for private proncrtv."
such an arrangement would permit all
private carroes 10 move without moles-
tation. while merchandise CONSIGNED 10
government at war could he captured
by an enemy. Germany at that time
expressed her Willingness TO make such
an agreement. but Great Britain do
Clincd.