Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-12-21

mind to offer. He is somewhat embar-
raised to offer it at this particular time
because it may now seem to have been
prompted by the recent overtures OF the
Central powers It Is in fact in no way
associated with them in its origin ana
the President would have delayed Offering
it until those overtures had been an
swered but for the fact that it also con-
Germs the question of peace and may best
be considered in connection with otnes
proposals which have the same end IN
view The President can only beg that
his suggestion be considered entirely on
its own merits and as If 1t had been maoe
In other circumstances"
Then all the notes proceed identically
as follows:
1.-THE President suggests that an early
occasion be sought to call out from all
the nations now at war such an avowai
Of their respective views as to the terms
upon which the war might be concluded
and the arrangements which would be
deemed satisfactory as guarantee
against its renewal other or kindling OF
any similar conflict in the future as would
make it possibly frankly to compare them
He is Indifferent as to the means taken
to accomplish this. He would be happy
himself to serve or even to take the
initiative in its accomplishment in any
way that might prove acceptable. but he
has no desire to determine the method or
the instrumentality. One way will be ac-
ceptable to him as another II only the
great object he has In mind be attained
"He takes the liberty of calling at
tention to the fact that the objects
which the statesmen of the belliger-
ents on both sides have in mind in
this war are virtually the same as
stated in general terms to their own
people and to the world. Each side de-
sires to make the rights and privileges
of weak peoples and small states as
secure against aggression or denial In
the future as the rights and privileges
of the great and powerful states now
at war. Each wishes itself to be made
secure in the future, along with all
other nations and peoples. against the
recurrence of wars like this and
against aggression of selfish interfer-
ence of any kind. Each would be jeal-
Gus Of the formation of any more RI
balance of power amidst multiplying
suspccions; but each is ready to con-
slider the formation of a league OF ma
tons to insure peace and justice
throughout the world.
Before that final step can be taken,
however, each deems it necessary first to
settle the issues of the present war upon
terms which will certainly safeguard the
independence, the territorial integrity ana
the political and commercial freedom OF
the nations involved.
I'm the measures to be taken to secure
the future peace Of the world, the people
and government of the United States are
as vitality and as directly interested as
the governments now at war. Their IN
terest, moreover. in the means TO DC
adopted to relieve the smaller and weaker
peoples of the world of the peril of wron.
and violence is as quick and ardent as
that of any other people or government.
They stand ready, and even eager, to CO.
operate in the accomplishment OF these
ends when the war is over. with every
influence and resource at their command
But the war must first be concluded.
The terms upon which it is to be con-
cluded. they are not at liberty TO sug-
cest: but the President does feel that
it is his right and duty to point out
their intimate interest in its conclu-
sion, lets it should presently be too
late to accomplish the greater things
which lie beyond it's conclusion, lest
the situation of neutral nations. now
exceedingly hard to endure, be rendre-
cd IPSf.
more than all an injury be done civil
izaticn itself which can never be
atoned for or repaired.
THE President therefore feels al
together justified in suggesting an i'm
mediate opportunity for a comparison
Of views as to the terms which
must precede those ultimate ar
engagements for the peace Of the
world, which all desire and in which
the neutral nations as well as those
at war are ready to play their full re-
sponsjble part. The contest must con-
tinue to proceed towards underlined
ends by slow attrition until the one
group Of belligerents or the other is
exhausted. if million after million of
human lives must continue to be Of
fered up until ON the one side or the
other there are no more to offer, if
resentments must be kindled that can
never cool and despairs engendered
from which there can be no recovery,
hopes of peace and of the willing con-
cert Of free peoples will be rendered
vain and idle.
1.-THE life of the entire world has
been profoundly affected. Every part
of the great family of mankind has
felt the burden and terror Of this un-
precedented contest of arms. No ma
ton in the civilized world can be said
in truth to stand outside its influence
or to be safe against its disturbing eff