Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-12-22

also considering what would have to
be the course OF the United States to
conserve its interests as neutral II
the war is to continue.
Coupled with the presidents recent
declaration that the position Of metz
trails was becoming intolerable. they
attach much significance to his state
ment in the note that his suggestion
comes from a neutral whose interests
have been most seriously affected by
the war "and whose concern tor Its
early conclusion arises out OF mani
fest necessity to determine how best
to safeguard those interests If the
war is to continue"
Germans Expect Results.
IN German quarters the conviction
that the presidents action would
surely lead to some sort OF con-
sideration of peace terms was ex-
pressed in the following authorized
statement by Count Won Bernstorh,
the German ambassador:
Nov | am perfectly convinced that
there will be conferences
Despite the fact that President
Wilson's notes state specifically and
unreservedly that he is not propos-
ing peace-he is not even offering
mediation-they are regarded here as
OF such a nature as will compel all
belligerents to make more OF re-
ply than a mere acknowledgment of
receipt.
Britons Are Surprised.
British embassy officials made no
attempt to conceal their surprise at
the presidents action. They are not
alone, however, for all official Wash
ington had been led by officials to
believe that the president in trans
hitting the German peace proposals
without comment had taken all the
action that was to be expected from
the United States for some time to
come unless there was some unfore-
seen development in world affairs.
The secrecy with which the prepa-
ration OF the notes and their dispatch
were surrounded was complete and
nothing was known about them un-
til they were well on their way.
League Of Nations.
The definite proposal Of the United
States for a League OF nations to
insure peace and justice throughout
the world" is interpreted as step
which, il carried through would mean
the abandonment OF the theory Of
splendid isolation" which Washing
ton bequeathcd to the country. Sig
nifance is attached to the fact that
the president uses the word insure"
rather than enforce" as indicating
that he has not committed himself
to any one program to accomplish
that end, but that he is open to what
ever suggestions may seem best to
the other world nations.
Repeated efforts have been made
to enlist the American government in
some sort OF international agreement
involving responsibility, but always
the answer has been the United States
would stand alone. Several months
ago President Wilson spoke most
earnestly before the league to enforce
peace Of his hope that the United
States would join in some new inter
national arrangements, but not until
now is he known to have made the
proposal officially to the nations Of
the world.
European Nations Committed.
1t is thought here that along these
lines President Wilson's note will find
its most ready reception aboard, for
all parties have indicated their belief
that the war will have been in vain
unless from it come guarantees
against its repetition. Former For
cgin Minister Sir Edward Grey for
England, Premier BRAND for France
and Chancellor Bethmann- Hollweg
for Germany have all committed
their nations to some sort of intcrna-
tional reorganization to secure the
ends laid down in the presidents note
and the official offers of the central
powers, together with Lloyd Georges
speech in reply, have accentuated that
purpose.
As yet, however the actual proce-
dure which may be adopted appears
uncertain. Germany apparently has
given up its earlier opposition to dis
armament which nearly split the sec
ond Hague conference. No official
statement has come from either Eng
land or France on this subject in the
present circumstance. 1t was Eng
land, however, at The Hague con-
ference, seconded by France and the
United States, that insisted on stating