Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-12-21

WASHINGTON, n G., Dec, el.-Th'
peace suggestions dispatched last niGh'
by President Wilson TO the belligeren'
nations of Europe are prefaced with
this instruction by Secretary Lansins
20 the American ambassadors present
ing them:
The president directs me TO send
you The following communication 70
he presented immediately TO the min
lister of foreign affairs OF the govern
lnen1 20 which you are accredited.
The tests OF the notes themselves
then begin identically as follows;
The president of the United States
has instructed me TO suggest to the
there is inserted a designation OF the
government addressedl a course OF
action with regart, to the present war
which he hopes that the government
Will take under consideration as sug-
gested in the most friendly spirit as
coming not only from friend but also
as coming from the representative OF
8 neutral nation whose interests have
been most seriously affected by the
war and whose concern for its early
necessity to determine how best TO
safeguard those interests if the war is
10 continue"
Texts Vary Slightly.
AT this point the texts vary. In the
notes TO the central powers this para
graph follows next:
The suggestion which ! am in
structed to make the president mas
long had il in mind 10 offer. He IS
somewhat embarrassed TO offer II al
this particular time because ii may
now seem to have been prompted by u
desire to play a part in connection WIN
the recent overtures of the centfai
powers. IT has in fact been in no way
suggested by them in its origin ana
the president would have delayed
offering il until those overtures had
been Independently answered but Tor
the fact that il also concerns the ques-
ton of peace and may best be consid-
cred in connection with other pro-
posals which have the same end in
view. The president can only beg that
his suggestion be considered entirely
on its merits. and as if 1t had oeeh
made Of other circumstances.
o Entente RtiieS.
In the note to the entente allies the
following paragraph takes the place OF
the one Just quoted:
The suggestion which I am in
structed, TO make the president has
long had il in mind to offer He Is
somewhat embarrassed to offer II at
this particular time because 1t may
now seem to have been prompted by
the recent overtures of the central
powers. 1t is in fact in no way as
ISOLATED with them in its origin and
the president would have DELAYED
Offering il until those overtures had
been answered but for the fact that 1t
also concerns the question OF peace
and may best be considered in connec-
ton with other proposals which have
the same end in view. The president
can only beg that his suggestion De
considered entirely on its own merits
and as if il had been made in other
circumstances"
Suggests Early Action.
Then, all the notes proceed Identical
~ as follows:
The president, suggests that an
early occasion be sought to call ont
from all the nations now at war such
an avowal of their respective views as
to the terms upon which the war might
be concluded and the arrangements
which would be deemed satisfactory as
a guaranty against its renewal or the
kindling of any similar conflict in IN"
future as would make it possible
frankly TO compare them. He is indif-