Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1916-12-28
SWISS PEACE APPEAL
NATION SUPPORTS UNITED
STATES TO END THE GREAT
WAR IN EUROPE
NOTE SENT BELLIGERENTS
Describes Own Position as Sufferer and
Witness of Hardships of Others
Caused by the conflict-Wants Last
ing Peace-Other Neutrals to Reply.

Washington, Dec. 25.-Switzerland,
In a note to all of the warning powers,
has announced it's support of President
Wilson's appeal for a discussion OF
peace terms, saying it ''would consider
itself happy if it could act in any way,
no matter how modest, for the rap
proachement Of the people now en-
gagged in the struggle, and for lasting
peace"
The note was sent to the belliger-
ents by the Swiss federal council, and
DR.. Paul Ritter, minister Of Switzer-
land here, presented copy to the
state department. Secretary Lansing
made it public.
Text of Swiss Note.
The translated text follows:
1.-THE president of the United States
of America, with whom the Swiss fed
eral council, guided by it's warm desire
that the hostilities may soon come to
an end, has for a considerable time
been in touch, had the kindness to
aprise the federal council Of the peace
note sent to the governments Of the
central and entente powers.
SIN this note President Wilson dis
cusses the great desirability of inter:
national agreements for the purpose Of
avoiding more effectively and perma-
hently the occurrence of catastrophies
such as the one under which the people
are suffering today. In this connection
he lays particular stress on the neces-
sity for bringing about the end Of the
present war.
without making peace proposals
himself or Offering mediation he con-
fines himself to sounding as to whether
mankind may hope to have approached
the haven of peace.
Offer to act for Peace.
'The most meritorious personal ini-
tiative of President Wilson will find a
mighty echo in Switzerland. True to
the obligations arising from observing
the strictest neutrality, united by the
same friendship with the states Of
both warning groups Of powers, stu
ated like an island amidst the seeth-
ing waves of the terrible world war,
with it's ideal and material interests
more sensibly jeopardized and vio-
lated, our country is filled with a deep
longing for peace, and ready to assist
by it's small means to stop the endless
suffering caused by the war and
brought before it's eyes by daily con-
tact with the interned, the severely
wounded and those expelled, and to es-
tablish the foundations for a beneficial
cooperation of the peoples.
"The Swiss federal council is there
fore glad to seize the opportunity to
support the efforts of the president of
the United States. 1t would consider
itself happy if it could act in any way,
no matter how modest, for the rap
prOachement of the people now en-
gagged in the struggle for reaching a
lasting peace"
More NeutraIs to Reply.
The note from Switzerland offering
the services of that government to as
discussion of peace between the war
ring powers Of Europe is only the first
of a series of notes from neutral pow
ers.
It was disclosed semiofficialily that
there exists a plan, not definitely
formed yet in all it's details, to keep
hitting the iron of peace while it is hot
in the hope that each new effort will
go farther toward realizing that hope
of the neutral nations. The warning
nations have been made aware of that
fact, it was stated, but not through any
official communication.
Sweden, it was stated authoritative
ly, probably would forward an indorse-
ment following closely the form of the
Swiss note, within few days. But an
overenthusiastic Endorsement Of the
presidents proposals by Sweden at this
time, administration officials added,
might prove embarrassing