New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-22
Editors Generally Con
slider Its Effect Injured
by Lansing
BOSTON TRANSCRIPT"
SCORES PRESIDENT
Sees Why Assistant Pres
ident BernStOrff" Has
Worn Smile for Week

Fotoicing are editorial comments
today on President Wilson's peace
note and Secretary Lansing's state
n'ents, from leading American pa
pers:
THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE
The addendum to President Wilson's
peace note to the belligerents. post
script over the name Of Lansing, was
one of alarm. Germany is asking for a
peace conference. Mr. Wilson is back
ing up the German request At the
same time our government was saying
that II peace were not reached soon the
United States was apt 70 become a bel
liCerent. The natural inquiry was
whether the threat that the weslthiest
nation in the world might soon join the
Entente was offered as reason for the
Entente making terms with Germany.
THE CHICAGO DAILY NEWS
In asking the fourteen nations en-
gagged in the present war to say def
be willing 10 accept without further
fighting President Wilson pleads the
cause Of humanity in general and spe-
officially the cause of the neutral ma
tions, which are suffering in many
Crevious ways from the great and mer-
CHESS conflict.
THE CHICAGO HERALD-Rccanta ia
tion of the implied threat or posi-
slaughter removed from the intruding
foot the character Of belligerency even
though it's intrusion may be regarded
AS unfriendly.
THE PHILADELPHIA PRESS-The
President is justified in taking active
steps to promote peace, not only on
the grounds Of humanity, but because
he is the representative and spokes-
dable purpose and deserves success
full issue.
THE BOSTON POST-Secretary Lam
sings first statement was a bad break
and totally unwarranted. Mr. Lansing
now says that he did not mean to in
innate that the government was con.
sidering any change in its policy OF
neutrality. That Is well. But II
would have been far better had he not
attempted any after elucidation Of the
Presidents note. That spoke clearly
enough for itself.
THE BOSTON TRANSCRIPT-Evi-
dence accumulates that when Assistant
President Won Bernstorff composedly
maintained his optimism during the
last week he knew mighty well what
he was smiling about. II the profer
meets with an unfriendly reception
among the Entente Allies, the effects
OF that unfriendliness will plague the
people of the United States long after
Woodrow Wilson has left the White
House. What he did with his pen In
a dav il may take years for the sword
of his countrymen to undo.
THE BOSTON JOURNAL-Whethcr
the Wilson message is in recognition
of the recent exchange between Ger
many and the Allies-and Mr.. Wilson
denies that connection-it must have
the effect Of serving as supplementary
20 that exchange. In the Wilson mes
sage Europe will find nothing to resent
and much TO ponder. 1t cannot Dc
ignored.
THE BOSTON GLOBE-President
Wilson has thrown the great weight OF
neutral opinion into the scales Tor
peace. He now seeks 70 break the
deadlock between domination of the
seas by the Allies and the domination
Of vast territory by German arms
THE BOSTON RECORD-The Presi-
dents notes indicate a possibility OF
imminent cessation of this struggle
Premier Lloyd Georges speech left the
way open for just that eventuality.
The BOSTON .TRAVELER-Pres
ident Wilson has appealed 10
the warning nations to state tho
terms that in their opinion
would serve as basis for
peace, and ne has done so in manner
that cannot be misinterpreted as an
affront TO any Of them. Let every pro-
American in this country stand bach
Of the President in his latest effort 10
conserve the cause Of civilization.
THE ST. LOUIS REPUBLIC-If the
Wholesale disregard of all international
law and right, which increases month.
". bv reason Of the sure breakdown OF
law and order under the Generalization
of war. should finally involve US, our
decision to fight in one camp or the
other would be made on the basis OF
business of the respective demands OF
the parties One thing is beyond ali
controversy. The United States has
thus indirectly, but no less effectively,
served notice that no settlement OF the
present controversy may be made with
out the United States. The
,,onapt 10 hio with nossibilities