Evening star., 1916-12-24
Next Move With Germany.

| Next Move With Germany.
| Clearly, the next move is with Ger
many, and if Germany were to make
a definite reply it would suffice to show
whether the anticipations of the note
are we'll ill founded. For example,
we demand the integral restoration of
the territories Germany has invaded
This is definite and admits of an equal
ly definite reply. If. and when, Ger
, many accepts we will In time take up
! the other points. We do not know
whether the President imagines Ger
many will accept it under the present
| conditions but at least he must admit
| that if she refuses there is not by any
means that approximation of views
which he assumes, and in that case
| the foundation of his case falls away
Neither he nor American opinion can
blame US if we continue to fight for the
| independence of Belgium and Serbia,
and refuse to purchase it at the ex-
| pense of any other ally. Again, we
think reparation is due Belgium for
the spoiiation of her cities. and even
| more now for the enslavement of her
| citizens No American will question
| this.
| in other words, we do not believe 1t
| is posi- BILE for Germany so to state her
case IN reply TO the demands
| have put forward as to commend it to
| any neutral nation like America with
| strong democratic sympathies and hu-
name feelings.
| This is the reason why we believe
| that the note If coolly considered and
| wisely answered can only help our
cause and throw into stronger relief
| the moral weakness of the German po-
sition.
| "If. on the other hand we resent
af
on seeing German misunderstanding in
every mention of an end to the war we
! shall quite gratuitously be placing our
selves in an unenViable light"
Italian Comment Friendly.
| ROME, December %, via Paris. De-
| cember 23.-The Popolo Romano in its
| comment President Wilson's note
so the belligerents alludes to its issu-
ance as the great world event of the
| dax Its tone is characterized as
| friendly, but firm, with certain ac-
cen. of the judge who proposes to
WELD the sword of Solomon, wishing
| to end the war.
| The Paris and London press this
newspaper thinks. has not caught the
| true meaning of the note, and it eX-
| presses belief that after mature con-
! sideration it will find it's first impress
sions altered. at least in part. Indeed,
adds the Popolo Romano, it is unwise
| to give the impression that the entente
! allies are wounded by the Presidents
| note, which, it says, asks in the main
| the intentions of each group of bel
| ligerents. to ascertain if speedy peace
| is possible and regulate the future
| actions of America toward promoting
| integrity and justice among the ma
| tions.
| Vienna Takes Hopeful View.
| VIENNA December %, via Amster-
| dam to London.-The keynote of the
| comment in the Vienna press on Presi-
| dent Wilson's note to the belligerents
| Is that the idea of peace thus brought
forward will not easily be dissipated.
| Neither exaggerated optimism nor
IFS opposite is the proper attitude to
assume" says the Neuss Weiner
iTapebIatt Instead it should be one
tof calm patience and dignity"
| The Zeit says: 'It is to be hoped that
| President Wilson'S action will further
the bringing about of peace but it may
also have the opposite effect"
The comment of the Reichspost is:
| .If President wilson's action really
will contribute to peace it will be well
coined"
| The Arbeiter Zeitung welcomes the
| fact that neutral power has spoken.
| for the first time. The Neues Weiner
| Journal says: president Wilson. in any
CONTINUED on Sixth Page.)