Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-12-22
The Presidents Note


IF any explanation Of the Presidents mo-
L mentous action al this time is sought. it
is 10 be found i'll Secretary I.ansing's inspired
statement that we drawing nearer TO
the verge of war ourselves, and therefore we
are entitled 10 know exactly what each bel
hSerent seeks in order that may reguat
our conduct in the future This deliberate
utterance of the Secretary of State voices an
apprehension alread" felt and greatly in
creased by Britan's action in arming her mer-
chantmen and by Germany's counterthrust in
declaring they will be treated as armed
auxiliary cruisers
The Presidents assertion that his note
10 the beligerents was suggested or i'll
spred by Germany's peace proposals must be
accepted conclusive by this country. of
course That it will he accepted by the
belligerents themselves. already fired by
anger. bitterness aud resentment. is al
together problematical though ii is possible
he Was partly guided in his choice Of a time
by unofficial intinations thi such appeal
would no, be regarded by The entente allies
unfriendly act.
However that may be. ii is a matter OF no
great moment how the warning nations view
the President and his immediate motive
The question is this: how will they answer?
They have sought to impress on the world
their horror Of war and their hope that It
will speedily be concluded--provided their
Just national aspirations can be secured to
them. 1t has become evident as result OF
nearly two years and half Of war that these
separations are as yet long way from &C
compishment. Now. President Wilson has
called on them for IAN ayowal of their re-
spectivc views as to the terms upon which
ihe war might be concluded and the arrange
ments which would be deemed satisfactory q
q guaranty against its renewal or the kndling
o. any similar conflict i'll the future as would
make il possible frankly to compare them"
In
objects OF the war ARE virtually the same
he deity assumes sincerity on the pa of all
the belligerents. and in asking that authori.
tative sta leSmen Of both sides avow the pre-
else objects" which would. if attained. satisfy
them and their people. he calls on them all
for concrete proof of that sincerity He
makes no protfer OF mediation. asks no cessa-
lion Of hostiities; he only asks that each side
inform the world. in a word what il is fight
ing FOR, so the world may learn how near
the haven OF peace may he Tor which all man
kind longs with intense and increasing
longing"
Germany, which has proposed peace. can
not fairly take uffensc at so rea sonable a
plea. nor can Great Britain which h:a not
declined GermHny's proposal. fairly resent an
Interpolation which merely asks that all the
countries involved follow the course which
Lloyd George himself, speaking for Britain
and her allies. tentatively suggested Germany
must adopt as precedent to peace
Apart from the broad right of humanity
10 try TO put an end TO the war which is dts
rupting the world. this c0untry's own en-
dangered lives and interests clOthe il with
specific right, if not imperative duty to suC-
ges means by which il may he brought TO
an end. TO the ardent desire of the great
masses OF the fighting nations for peace and
to the carefully guarded movements Of their
governments in that direction the President
mas nov added the appeal OF the greatest neu-
lral and the one mos, afected-for the first
essential steps toward peace II remains onIv
for the belliEercntS 10 answer
Germany now ella inns that the Iusitania
medal was unoiiciallv cas-, I'm, ,bero &c W.,
question about Tho faci thu III. 1 ,.ni,n.,i..