The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-12-22
WASHINGTON THINKS
PEACE O4 WAR RESTS
WITH GREAT BRITAIN
Expected That France and Russia,
With Part OF Their Territory Held
by Enemy, VIII Resent Note.
NOT YET MADE PUBLIC
IN ENTENTE COUNTRIES
Resolution Introduced i'm Senate En-
dorsing Presidents Action--Nhite
House Will Mark Time Pending An
swers From Europe.
BIZ JOHN EDWIN NEyu.

Washington. Dec. 21.--The convic-
ton that peace in Europe was i'm
measurably nearer tonight because Of
President Wilson's note to belligerents
and neutrals Is growing here in the
nations capital Administration off,
Gals and diplomats of experience SO
declare. They base this belief on
their knowledge that the President
frank declaration of the desires Of the
people OF the country that the bel
ligerents frankly proclaim what they
are fighting for must have great
weight in Great Britain, and. after all
officials and diplomats alike agree
that the final decision is in England >
hands.
Germany must accept the susges-
ton of the head OF the greatest neu-
trail state. In effect she already has
avowed her desires to end the war
and her willingness to make conces-
sions 60 bring about that result. Her
allies will follow her lead to any
length. But whether the entente pow
ers can be Influenced to cooperate
in real peace conferences still Is very
uncertain. France and Russia are
expected to resent the American note.
Naturally they cannot look with
equanimity on comforting with an en-
envy whose armed forces hold por-
tons of their territory.
Center Hope In Britain.
But Great Britain is in a different
position and officials here are hopeful
that she will see the advisability OF
giving the most serious consideration
to the suggestions fathered by H.'esi-
dent Wilson The President hopes so
and Ambassador Page will be directed
to use all of his influence TO attain
that end And IL is admitted that
Great Britain can influence all of her
allies for any plan that meets with
her approval.
Ofhcials at the White House and
State Department said that the Presi-
dent will mark time" and await the
responses from his note before even
conside ring whether any further step
will be possible. Up to tonight no
word had been received OF the man.
ner in which the note was received.
1t was understood to have been de-
livered TO the British and French for
eign offices today and State Depart
ment officials said that 1t should reach
all of the chancelleries to which it
was addressed not later than tonight.
Not Yet Made Public.
The British and French govern
Inents had not yet made the note
I public in their respective countries,
so FAR as information was available
here tonight. 1t was suggested In
diplomatic circles that probably a
cabinet council and an exchange OF
opinion between the allies would pre-
cede its being published in any of the
entente countries. 1t is expected that
the noe viii. he published in Germany
as soon as it is delivered in Berlin.
The suggestion was made in entente
quarters tonight that it was likely
that the tcint reply of the allies to
the Teutonit peace suggestions would
be completed before any action was
taken on the Wilson note. in view of
the Presidents emphatic disavowal of
any connection between the two
propositions. If this is so. ii may be
week or ten days before any reply
is received from the entente.
The Presidents action was the sub
ject OF much comment at the Capitol
Most of the Senators and Representa-
tives applauded the action but sew
eral OF them expressed the fear that
the motive would be misconstrue be-
cause OF the fact that the allies have
just practically rejected the overtures
of Germany. SenatG Hitchcock,
Democrat. Nebraska, ESss5duced a
resolution which readsA