West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1916-12-28
Does IL Mean Peacei

Another angle to the broad states
manship of Woodrow Wilson is shown
by his note TO the European beIliger-
ents I'm which he suggests a discussion
/ or peace. The President makes Il
clear that his note at this time Ia in
no wise prompted by Germany and i'm
dlcauons are that the President had
In mind for some time the dispatching
OF such communication TO both Sides
to the bitter war.
There can be no doubt that Presi-
dent Wilson, informed as he is through
many channels closed TO every ono
except the State department has in
formation which Iod him to believe
that his proposals Of this time al least
would not be rejected without the ex-
change OF number of notes. and this
probhbly Inspired him to believe that
this discussion might result i'm some
conference which eventually would re-
| suit In the consummation so deyoutlv
wished PEACE.
The purpose of the President is best
expressed I'm his own note:
THE President is not proposinR
peace, he is not even Offering media
ton. lie is merely proposing that
soundings be taken In order that we
may learn, the neutral nations with
the belligerent, how near the haven Of
peace may be for which all mankind
longs with an intense aud increasing
longing. lie 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"
Couched i'm temperate and humble
language the note can have no other
effect upon the belllgcrents than TO al
least receive their respectful consider
alton, which, in Itself, when one con
siders that the world Is mad with war.
will have it's SOLDERING effect. and Will
show how desirous 10O,O 900 900 of per
sons are to sec the dawn OF peace.
or course, II is not known now and
probably will not be until at the close
OF the war, what prompted the Presl-
dent 10 make friendly ovcrtures Al this
time. but II is the opinion that he has
learned that more than one Of the bel
lgerents was ready for peace, but for
obvious reasons could not make the
matter public. and this information.
reaching the President he thought the
time ripe TO drive am opening wedge
into the situation.
II is hardly TO be expected that an
immediate conclusion Of hostilitics
viii come. but we Americans have an
abiding faith iu the wisdom Of our
President and we believe that in so
important move he was guided only
by information and high purpose.
conscious Of the fact that 81 was the
time 10 make such a move.
The United states is the logical ma
tion to make the first appeal for peace.
for this nation is me only great one
not at war a year ago such note
as sent by this government 10 the bel
liRcrents might have been considered
diplomatic impudence, especially by
Germany, which. suffering under a
false Impression. imagined we we're
not neutral The past twelve months.
however, has served 10 dispeI this sus
picion, and the recent reelection of
President Wilson stapalized the gov
eminent both al home and abroad and
with some minor Incidents served 10
make This nation the logical one 10
hrst suggest peace because Of our non
friendly relations with every nation ON
earth.
Fe believe haf the note 10 tho bel.
gfrena while H may not result in
ind .cdafe cessation Of hostiIiues. is
tbo bunning ~ a ciariacaton oi
tcrIas iaaf wm eventually ressH lr
pesAee Charleston Gazette.