Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-12-26
BRITISH PRESS SAYS
PRESIDENTS NOTE IS
ALREADY ANSWERED
Point to Speeches of Lloyd
George and Bonar Law and
Declaration of Cabinet on
Peace Proposition
rRr Aasociatsd Press.l


LONDON, Dec. 23.-The American
note to the beIIigerent nations still is I'm
the dominating feature OF the news in
Great Britain today. 1t even overshad-
ows dispatches from the battle fronts
and discussion Of the governments pro-
gram for organizing the entire country
for war purposes.
Practically all the newspapers con-
tinue TO devote leading articles to the
note while British French. German and
other comment is prominently displayed
under such headings as 'Lansing's Verge
of War Blunder." The Snare OF Peace. "
and wilson's Mistake"
So far as Great Britain Is concerned.
the press says that President Wilson
already has been answered by Premier
Lloyd-George when he delivered in the
house OF commons Tuesday his speech
in reply TO the German proposals. by the
address made on Thursday night by An
drew Bonar Law, the chancellor Of the
exchequer, and finally by the emphatic
declaration OF the cabinet through the
kings speech on proroguing parliament.
AGAINST HASTY ACTION.
However, ii is recognized in official cir
cles that q formal. polite reply is due
President Wilson. and this. IL is said. viii
be drafted after consultation with Great
Britain's allies. Like his uncle, the late
Lord Salisbury. Foreign Secretary Bal
mour is a mastery dispatch writer. This
was displayed in the communications
written by him when he was first lord
OF the admiralty in refutation OF various
German statements
AuaIyzfng the criticisms OF President
wilson's note TO the belligerent nations
the Manchester Guardian in a remark
able editorial a column long, which is
unique because IL endeavors TO interpret
the presidents viewpoint. sounds a word
OF caution today against hasty and i'll
considered consideration in making re-
play
The Guardian believes that the note
If cody considered and wisely answer
ed can only help the allies cause and
throw into stronger relief the moral
weakness Of the German position The
newspaper emphasizes a point which IL
saws seems 20 have been forgotten in this
country, that the Identical note was ad-
dressed 10 all belligerents. and says thac
A careful reading OF the passage in which
President Wilson suggests that both
sides are fighting for the same end re-
veaIs that the president said that thls
is what the beIligerents tell their own
countryment
REPLY TO GERMANY.
The report was discussed today that
the entente allieS reply to the Central
powers peace proposals was being drawn
up at Rome, whence it would be forward
ed to Germany. All the allies will be
signatories-
II is understood the communication
will point to the speeches OF Premier
Lloyd-George. and French. Russian and
Italian statesmen as setting forth the
position OF the allies
The foreign office states there is hardly
any possibility that the reply to the Ger
man peace note will be dispatched before
Christmas Owing to difficulty In com
munication 1T is even possible that the
answer will not be forwarded within ten
days
The reply to President Wilson's note
already has been considered by the Brit
ish cabinet The Impression Is given
that the note will not defect the govern
ment in any way from its plans for pros
ecuting the war.