Middletown transcript., 1916-12-30
WILSON ACTED
TO GUARD j. S.
Secretary Lansing Explains
Sending of Note.
NOT A PEACE NOTE"
Feared U. S. Might Be Drawn Into
War Allied Diplomats Con-
vinced Move Was Not
To Aid Germany.

Washington.-On top of the sensa-
tiOn caused by the announcement that
President Wilson had sent to all the
nations at war a note calling upon
them to state the terms upon which
they would agree to make peace.
Washington was stirred by a state
ment issued by Secretary Lansing
which appeared to intimate that Presi-
dent Wilson was moved to this step
by an imminent possibility that the
United States itself would be drawn
into the war.
Although Secretary Lansing later in
the day, after comforting with Presi'
dent Wilson, issued a second state
ment, in which he said the impression
generally drawn from his first one was
incorrect, the statement remained the
outstanding feature Of the days de-
velopments in connection with the
Presidents peace move.
Lansine's Statement.
Secretary Lansing's first statement
follows:
"The reasons for the sending of the
note were as follows:
ut isn't our material interest we had
in mind when the note was sent, but
more and more our own rights are
becoming involved by the belligerents
Oh both sides, SO that the situation is
becoming increasingly critical.
Il mean by that, that we are draw
ing nearer the verge Of war ourselves
and therefore we are entitled to know
exactly what each beIligerent seeks
in order that We may regulate our
conduct in the future.
mo nation has been sounded. No
consideration Of the German overtures
or of the speech of Lloyd-George was
taken into account in the formulation
of the document. The only thing the
overtures did was to delay it few
days Of course, the difficulties that
face the President were that it might
be construed as a movement toward
peace and in aid of the German over
lures. He specifically denies that
that was the fact in the document
itself"
Not "Feace Note"
After issuing this statement the Sec
retary said:
"The sending of this note will indi-
cate the possibility of our being forced
into the war. That possibility ought
to serve as a restraining and SOLDERING
force safeguarding American rights. 1t
may also serve to force an earlier con-
clusion of the war. Neither the Presi-
dent nor myself regard this note as a
peace note; it is merely an effort to
get the belligerents to define the end
for which they are fighting"
1t was after his statement had been |
sent throughout the country and had
been discussed generally in diplomatic
circles and at the Capitol that Secre- |
ary Lansing was summoned to the |
White House for the conference, at |
he conclusion of which he issued the |
second statement, intended, he said, |
o correct the wrong impression"
made by the earlier one.
No Change In Policy.
The second statement follows:
Il have learned from several quar-
ters that q wrong impression was
made by the statement which 1 made
earlier in the day and wish to correct
hat impression.
My intention was to suggest the
very direct and necessary interest
which this country, as one of the neu-
raj nations, has in the possible terms
which the belligefents may have in
mind, and cid not intend to intimate
hat the Government was considering
my change in its policy Of neutrality
which it has consistently persued in
he face OF constantly increasing diff.
,ulties.
Il regret that my words were opeL
o any other construction, as l now
ealize that they were. l think that
he whole tone and language of the
tote to the belligerents show the pur-
,ose without further comment on my
Dart 1t is needless to say that l am
in support of that pur-
'ose and hope to see it accomplished"
At the White House no comment
whatever was made on the note itself
Tor on the two statements by Secre.
ary Lansing.
The German Embassy gave no out.
yard evidences of concern over the
udden developments.