The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1916-12-28

the smaller and weaker peoples of the
world of the peril Of wrong and
violence is as quick and ardent as
that of any other people and govern
ment. They stand ready and ven
eager to cooperate in the accomplish
ment of these ends when the war is
over with every influence and re-
source at their command.
But the war must first be conclud-
ed. The terms upon which 1t Is to be
concluded they are not at liberty to
suggest, but the president does feel
that it is his right and his duty to
point out their intimate interests in
it's conclusions, lest it should presently
be too late to accomplish the greater
things which lie beyond it's conclu-
sions, lest the situation of neutral ma
tons, now exceedingly hard to en-
dure, be rendered altogether intoler-
able, and lest more than all, an injury
be done civilization itself which can
neve be atoned for or repaired.
President Feels Justified.
"The President therefore feels alto
gether justified in suggesting an i'm
mediate opportunity for a comparison
of views as to the terms which must
precede those ultimate arrangements
for the peace of the world, which all
desire and in which the neutral nations
as we'll as those at war are ready to
play their full responsible part. If
the contest must continue to proceed
towards underlined ends by slow attri-
tition until the n group of belliger-
ents or the other is exhausted, If mil
lion after million of human lives must
continue to be offered up until on the
one side or the other there are no
more to offer; If resentments are to be
kindled that never can cool and de-
spairs engendered from which there
can be no recovery, hopes of peace and
Of the willing concert of free people
will be rendered vain and idle.
"The life of the entire world has
been profoundly affected. Every part
of the great family of mankind has
felt the burden and terror of this un-
~precedented contest of arms. No ma
tiOh III liz SlNlllHcu "OIlu Cdu NC bdiu
in truth to stand outside It's influence
or to be safe against its disturbing eff
fects. And yet the concrete objects
for which 1t is being waged have never
been definitely stated.
Stated in General Terms.
"The leaders of the several bellig-
erents have, as has been said, stated
these objects in general terms. But,
stated in general terms, they seem the
same on both sides. Never yet have
the authoritative spokesman of either
side avowed the precise objects which
would, If attained, satisfy them and
their people that the war had been
fought out. The world has been left
to conjecture what definite results,
what actual exchange of guarantees,
what political or territorial changes or
readjustment, what stage of military
success ever would bring the wal to
an end.
Peace May Be Very Near.
1T may be that peace is nearer than
we know; that the terms which the
OCii6CiShto Oh II IL oluO anu Ou
the other would deem 1t necessary to
insist upon are not so irreconcilabie
as some have feared; that an inter
change of views would clear the way
at least for conference and make the
permanent concord of the nations a
hope of the immediate future. a con.
cert Of nations Immediately practica.
BILE.
The President is not proposing
peace, he is not even offering media
ton. He is merely proposing that
soundings be taken in order that we
may learn, the neutral nations with the
belligerent, how nea the haven Of
peace may be for which all mankind
longs with al intense and increasing
longing.
Believes Spirit Is Understood.
He believes that the spirit in which
he speaks and the objects which he
seeks will be understood by all con-
cerned, and he confidently hopes for a
response which will bring a new light
] into the affairs of the world"