The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1916-12-30
PRESIDENT NOTE
BEARS NO THREAT
An Oral Statement by Seere-
tary Lansing MiscOnstrued
by the Public.
AN OFFICIAL INTERPRETATION
Second Statement Issued From White
House Says No Change in Pol
icy Is Planned.

Washington, Dec 22-President
Wilson's note to the beIligerents urg-
ing discussion of peace was officially
interpreted today as not bearing any
threat that the United States might
be forced to enter the war because of
the continued invasion Of its rights
by the warning powers of both sides
This Interpretation was made late
today by Secretary Lansing in a for
NAL statement issued to overcome
what was characterized as Widespread
misconstruction placed on one given
out earlier in the day saying that be-
cause of the increasingly critical pO-
sition of the United States as a neu-
trail it was entitled to know exactly
what each belligerent seeks in order
that it might regulate its conduct for
the future.
Secretary Lansing's final statement,
formally prepared and issued after he
had been called to the White House
for a conference with President Viii
son, declared that he had not intend
ed to intimate that the United States
was considering any change in its
policy of neutrality and that the
whole tone and language Of the note
were sufficient to indicate its purpose
without further comment on his part.
1t Created CONSERVATION.
Mr.. Lansing's first statement, made
orally and Of which no official copy
was distributed, led tc exaggerations
Of its language and purpose through
out official Washington. Its most
striking phrases, on which the widest
speculation was based, were that the
United States was drawing nearer
the verge of war; and that the send
ing of the note will indicate the pos
sibility of our being forced into the
war;" and that neither he nor Presi-
dent Wilson regarded the note "as
peace note"
When word of what the Secretary
of State had said spread throughout
the capital it created the greatest con-
sternation in official circles and
among the foreign diplomats, many OF
whom were calling at the State De
partment to receive their copies Of the
note dispatched to their capitals.
Lansing Told to Take 1t Back"
It became apparent that the secre-
tary's statement was not fully ap-
proved at the White House and that
there was question as to the wisdom
OF making any comment that might
be regarded as an addition to the note.
The White House was concerned lest
any word reach the foreign capitals
to be construed as indicating that the
American note was anything but what
it indicated on its face. So, after a
conference between President Wilson
and Secretary Lansing, the second
statement was formally prepared and
distributed at the State Department.
1t follows:
my intention was to suggest the
very vital and necessary interest
which this country, as one of the neu-
trail nations, has in the possible terms
which the belligerents may have in
mind, and 1 did not intend to intimate
that the government was considering
any change in its policy Of neutrality
which it has consistently pursued in
the face Of constantly increasing diff
ficulties.
81 regret that my words were open
to any other construction as 1 now
realize that they were. 1 think that
the whole tone and language of the
note to the belligerents show the pur-
pose without further comment on my
part. 1t is needless to say that l am
unreservedly in support of that pur-
pose and hope to see it accepted