The Washington herald., 1916-12-22
peace on Earth. "


action of the President of the United
States in awakening, at least, the
hope that peace among the nations
may soon be restored. Coming as it
did at the season of the year when
the chorus of civilization as in praise
of that Prince of Peace whose les
sons to humanity seem to have been
forgotten by the belligerent nations
of Europe, the hope of peace is weld
ed firmly with Christian sentiment.
What practical effect the Presidents
joint note will have is still within the
realm of speculation. Clearly and
emphatically Mr.. Wilson stated his
purpose of sounding" the nations
at war; in a word his message to all
Of them has been a demand to know
what the fighting is all about. The
President growls for the nation at the
unwarranted interruption of content
ment that the European madness has
caused. He intimates, more than that,
he positively declares that his "con-
ccrn arises out of manifest necessity
to determine how best to safeguard
those (American) interests if the war
is to continue"
The net result OF the Presidents
note may only be another deluge of
green. white, yellow, blue and orange
papers from the chancelleries of Eu-
rope explaining just why each nation
went to war, and, of course, blaming
it on the enemy countries
Another series of recitals Of Ger
man barbarity, of the wanton inva-
sion of Belgium, of British arrogance,
Turkish atrocity and French ambition
may be forthcoming, and they may.
as they have before, only serve to in
fame the people of the belligerent
countries the more Or as the Presi-
dent hopes. as America hopes, and as
undoubtedly the Vatican, Spain, Hol-
land, Norway, Denmark, Sweden and
Switzerland hope, the voice OF the
great Western republic, added to the
invitation of Germany for a peace
parley, may persuade the British
mind and their French, Italian and
Russian neighbors, to state their
grievances publicly and demand of the
central powers a statement of its
concessions to insure peace
1t is to be regretted that the crop
of rumors. the fiction factories, and
the dreams of the half-baked interna-
tional politicians who thrive in Wash
ington, should have been given un-
bridled license by the two statements
OF Secretary of State Lansing. The
Presidents note was clear and SEEM
ingly needed no ampli6cation Mr..
Lansing added to it language capable
of many constructions. For example,
when he was asked if the Presidents
note night shorten the war he said:
1t is possible that II may not, but Il
will indicate that there is a possibility
of our being forced into the war and II
this government were forced into the
war on one side or the other 1t would
prove a potent factor toward ending the
war. This possibility ought to serve as
a restraining and SOLDERING force and
safeguard American interests.
And in explaining why the note was
sent the Secretary of State said:
The situation had become intolerable
to such an extent that it was becoming
extremely critical.
These words, supplemental to a
message which expressed hopeful
ness for peace hardly sound pacific.
Moreover. showing our teeth to the
European world will not add whit
to our popularity on the other side Of
the Atlantic If America had desired
to enter the war she has had many
reasonable pretexts, none of which
appears to be vitality alive at the pres
ent writing.