Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-12-29
if Peace Efforts Fail

L. lROPE is beginning To understand in
IL part because it has taken time tn read
PRESIDENT Wilson's not" and in part bCca use
of tho testimony OF later events. that when
tho President stated his reasons for asking
NclhSorcnt declarations of peace terms. he
vas completely frank. Ills first interest was
III tho termination OF the war and the worlds
relief from wars tremendous drain Of blood
and treasure: his secondary interest sprang
from recognition OF the fact that il the war
were not ended his own country would hc
drawn into tho conflict
This was exactly what the President said
and exactly what he meant
This nation wants peace. Accurat tons tl~t
the profits America is making from the war
arc sufficient To choke American altruism have
been answered. and Germany. which has
recognized tho President s purpose no longer
VIII be able to repeat tho old charges. This
nation wants q stable and honorable peace.
which viii commend itself to the conscience
OF the world and carry within itself the germs
OF It's own pcrpctuity. The President
urgent request that tho belligcrcnts lay their
cards on the table and define the terms and
conditions ON which they will end the war
shows beyond question the character OF the
peace the American government desires.
But there is something else TO bc con-
sidered. as the President said in so many
words in his much-abused note. II is not
Tor this government and people to say on
Sir. Lansing. but the President, does feel
that it is his right and his duty To point out
their Intimate interest in its conclusion. lest
II should presently be too late to accomplish
the greater things which lie beyond its con
clusion; lest the situation OF neutral nations
nov exceedingly hard to endure be rendered
altogether intolerable. Earlier in the note
Mr.. Lansing described the appeal as coming
from the representative of a neutral nation
whose interests have been most seriously at
tectcd by the war. and whose concern for its
early conclusion arises out OF a ulanifes,
necessity TO determine how best TO safeguard
those interests If the is To continue
There was never any doubt abou, what
these phrases meant. They meant-and
mean. in the event the present negotiations
fail-thc immincnce OF war with Germany
Germanys anxiety Tor peace and seeming
termination to obtain it. when considered
i'll connection with her far-reaching military
rluihphS lhdlcate pressing necessity TO
terminate hostilities. Either there is scri-
Gus shortage OF food, which is most probab bic
or there is threatened shortage OF men and
munitions. There is sound reason TO believe
Germany already has violated her pledges
given 10 this government following the tor
pcdolnS OF the SUSSEX. and for such Violations
she was warned al that time diplomatic re-
lations would he severed Ii no violations
yet have occurred. they will spring from the
mood OF desperat ion and revenge which the
denial OF peace will inspire in Germany
From the viewpoint OF the allies this prob
ability affords the greater reason for a frank
Slatement-to use again the words OF the
peace notc--ot what definite results what
actual exchange OF guarantees. what political
or territorial! changes or adjustments, what
stage OF military success ever would bring
the war 10 an end. Ii this people arc 10
become involved in war, they must light for
the entente as we'll as with il. and they viii
want 20 know exactly for what they are
lighting