The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-12-21
THE PRESIDENTS PEACE MOVE

The President does feel
that IL Is his right and his duty to
point out their (the Government and
people of the United States) init
mate interest In It's (the war's) con-
clusion, lest II should presently be
too late to accomplish the greater
things which lie beyond its conclu-
sion, lest the situation Of neutral
nations, now exceedingly hard TO en-
dure. be rendered altogether intoler-
able, and lest. more than all, an in
jury be done civilization itself which
can never be atoned for or repaired"
Thus does President Wilson state
his justification, as head Of the
greatest neutral nation and spokes-
man for neutrals generally. in calling
upon the belligerents to consider
means Of bringing the war to an
end. He places the rights Of neu-
trails, and the cause Of civilization
itself, in the front Of his cause. At
other points in his communication
to the belligerent countries, he
points out the difficulties Of neu-
trails, confronting the problem Of in
surfing themselves against possible
involvement in the war. II is not
long since the President In n public
utterance declared boldly that time
could be reached when the position
Of a neutral would become unen-
durable. He has also predicted that
this country would not be able to
maintain neutrality in another great
war. All this points suggestively TO
the fear. based on such detailed in
formation as the Government pos
sesses. that the war may presently
spread yet wider. may involve yet
more combatants. and that our own
country may be drawn into Il. These
considerations, as well as regard for
the horrors and sufferings of the ma
tions already involved, make up the
warrant for the unexpected inter-
position of the American Govern
ment at this time.
Until European cabinets shall
have had time. in the light Of their
information and Of the crystallized
sentiment OF their peoples, to con-
slider the suggestions from Mr.. Will
son, il will be impossible to form
a useful opinion as to the signifi-
canoe or effects Of this move. When
the entente powers unanimously
and unquestioningly rejected the
peace suggestion made directly by
the central nations, II seemed as IL
the time was peculiarly inopportune
for move by the United States
or any other neutral. The Presi-
dent makes clear that his own sug-
gestion was in mind and in effect
determined upon, before the adj
vance of the central empires was
put forward. He begs that it be
considered on its merits, without
suspicion that 1t is actuated by any
ambition for leadership in doing a
great service, without prejudice of
suspicion; and it deserves, in view
of the high grounds which its sets
forth, in view Of the lofty tone and
feeling expressions it contains, to
be received in absolute sincerity of
good faith.
The President does not go be-
yond the mark when he expresses the
fear that the conflict may shortly
embrace other nations, that as it ex-
tends the difficulties Of reaching
terms for its conclusion may in
crease, that civilization itself may
suffer irreparable injury. The situ-
alton is one that warrants extreme
and unusual measures; one that
makes very apparent that, if such
measures cannot now be effective,
there will be yet greater difficulty,
later, in getting results.
That the central powers will view
the Presidents suggestion with
favor, is not to be doubted in view
of their recent move. But the at
titude of the entente nations is not
so plain. They fear that any dis
cussion Of peace now might mean