The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1916-12-29

President Wilson, through tne oec-
retary of State, last week sent notes
to the European belligerent nations
suggesting a comparison OF views as
10 the terms on which they will con-
slider peace. With an Introductory
slightly different to each Of the En-
tente Allies and the Central Powers,
the text of the note is as follows:
1.-THE President suggests, that an
early occasion be sought to call out
from all the nations now at war such
an avowal of their respective views
as to the terms upon which the war
might be concluded and the arrange
ments which would be deemed salts
factory as a guaranty against its re-
newal or the kindling of any similar
conflict in the future as would make
it possible frankly to compare them.
ale is Indifferent as to the means
taken to accomplish this. He would be
happy himself to serve, or even to
take the initiative in its accomplish
nnent, in any way that might prove &C
ceptable, but he has no desire to de-
termine the method or the lnstru-
mentality. One way will be as ac-
ceptable to him as another if only the
great object he has in mind be at
tanned.
Their Objects Similar.
ale takes the liberty Of calling at
tention to the fact that the objects
which the statesmen Of the bellig-
ents on both sides have in mind in
this war are virtually the same, as
stated in general terms to their oWr
people and to the world. Each side
desires to make the rights and priv
Ieges of weak peoples and small
States as secure against aggression
or denial in the future as the rights
and privileges of the great and power
full States now at war.
each wishes itself to be made Sc
cure in the future, along with al
other nations and peoples, against tn
recurrence of wars like this AM
against aggression of selfish inter
ference of any kind. Each would b
Jealous of the formation of any NOR
rival leagues to preserve an uncertai
balance of power amidst multiplying
suspicious; but each is ready to con
slider the formation of league of ma
tl0nS TO insure peace anu JuSIS
throughout the world.
"Before that final step can be tax
en-, however, each deems it necessar
first to settle the issues of the pres
emit war upon terms which certainl
will safeguard the independence, tn
territorial integrity and the politics
and commercial freedom of the ns
tons involved.
U. S. Is Interested, Too
ain the measure to be taken to 81
cure the future peace of the worl
the people and Government of tn
United States are as vitality and 6
directly interested as the Cover
ments now at war. Their interest
moreover, in the means to be adopte
to relieve the smaller and weakt
peoples of the world of the peril {
wrong and violence is as quick ar
ardent as that of any other people (
Government.
"They stand ready, and even cage
to cooperate in the accomplishing
of these ends, when the war is owe
with every influence and resource
their command. But the war fir
mus be concluded. The terms upt
which it is to be concluded they a
not at liberty to suggest; but Il
President does feel it his right al
his duty to point out their intimate i
terests in its conclusions, lest
should presently be too late to a
eomplish the greater things which
beyond its conclusion, lest the stu
ton of neutral nations, now excee
ingly hard to endure, be rendered {
together intolerable, and lest, mo
than all, an injury be done civiliz
ton itself which never can be atom
for or repaired.
He Would Have Them Act Now.
"The President therefore feels ali