Evening star., 1916-12-23
son on their side the American govern
ment will show reason Also

son on their side the American govern
ment will show reason Also"
Not German Propaganda.
In another editorial the Chronicle
vigorously protests against a section
Of the unionist press which blames the
German propaganda and the mastery
inactivity" of the late Asquith admin
stration for the Presidents note. 1t
says that whatever prompted the
President, it was not the activities of
the German propagandists.
In connection with the alleged need
of the enlightenment of America on
the objects and aims of the war, the
Dundee Advertiser, an influential lib
|eral organ, makes the suggestion that
Col. Winston Churchill should be sent
to America on such an en1ightening
mission. 1t declares that the need of
such campaign is more than ever inn
pressed upon the government by the
Presidents "illadvised move"
The Westminster Gazette says it does
not question the sincerity of President
Wilson's explanation that his action
Immediately after the issue of the Ger
man proposals was mere coincidence,
and adds
at was evident from the moment the
German scheme was launched that if
Mr.. Wilson did mediate Intervention. he
would and must improve this occasion,
and it is highly improbable that. though
acting separately. he could be unin-
formed about the trend of events in
Germany.
IF we are to deal wisely with the
situation presented to US by the Ameri-
can note. We must realize its Importance
and make an effort to weigh the Ameri-
can point of view without heat or
anger"
After referring to the reported short
age of food and material in America.
and saying that President Wilson was
elected by the votes of a people who
generally are pacifist in vague. hon
est and uninformed way, which takes
little account of the realities and diff
culties in the European world" the
said. what must be our reply to Mr.
Wilson? That cannot be in doubt, for
We have just, in general terms, made
our reply to our enemy, and Mr.. VIII
son could not suppose that we should
vary it at the last moment. MIR.
Wilson must pardon US if we who are
in death grips with an enemy who
threatens our rights and liberties. are
unable to ascend to those heights above
the battlefield from which all combat
ants seem to be merged in a confused
welter of meaningless slaughter.
Good Offices Acceptable.
But if he has knowledge which is
denied us that our enemy is willing to
acknowledge our claims. to make resti-
tuition and repair what he has de-
stroyed, to afford real guarantees
against repetition. he well knows
that we should be the last to reject his
good offices. We are not fighting for
the sake of fighting, but We believe
there can be nc lasting peace unless
these essential objects are attained; and
our feeling against outside action to
stop the war before they are attained
can only be what the feelings of Mr..
Wilson's great predecessor were when
he was threatened with European in
tervention midway in the American
civil war.
The task of reconstruction at the end
of this war will be immense. and we
believe that the United States both
has a deep interest in it and may play
a highly honorable part in 1t. We can
have no resentment because President
Wilson takes soundings.' and We hope
comes he will be found in agreement
with US about the essential founda
tons"
President Sharply Criticised.
In it's comment on President Wilson's
note the Pail Mall Gazette sharply
criticises the President
ITO revive a term once familiar in
American politics." it says, "he assumes
the attitude of a 'know-nothing' He
does not realize that he makes the
blood of every honorable man in Eu-
rope boil when he processes inability to
distinguish between the objects and
professions of the two sides.
The President is as unlucky as he is
His zeal for humanity has
evoked a step that will create the bit
terest resentment among all who are
fighting. working and dying for the
very principles he has at heart And we
may go further and say that only in
telligent self-restraint by the allied
press and allied nations can prevent it
from creating serious breach of SYM
pathy between themselves and the
American people" The newspaper de-
ciares that President Wilson conveys an
insult when he draws a parallel be-
tween the claims Of "civilized races"
and the "pretensions" of the Germans
1T seems to be realized by the ma
jority of Americans outside the White
House." 1t adds, that the Presidents
Intervention represents the very sum-
nit of maladroitness. The Presidents
in lofty aspirations lends it
self in every way to the consunmation
Of that German peace which would fall
like a curse upon the destinies of Eu-
rope"
n . ~ -. 144 4S E.~.>L n-~