Semi-weekly herald., 1916-12-25

FORE the President demanded a show
down.
Critical Situation of United States.
In an authorized statement, Ian
sing said: "Our rights are invaded
and the situation is becoming intol-
cradle and cannot continue long.
More and more our rights have been
invaded on both sides SO the situa-
ton is becoming increasingly critic
al.
"This means we are drawing near
err the verge of war, and are there
fore entitled to know what each bel
ligerent seeks in order to know how to
regulate our conduct in the future.
ut was not our material interests
which were considered when we said
the situation might become intoler-
able. We have prospered by the war
but our rights have been invaded"
Wilson's Appeal Not Connected With
Belligerents Peace Talk
Lansing emphasized that the Ger
nan peace proposals and Lloyd
Georges answer had nothing to do
with the dispatch of Wilson's note,
except delay in sending it.
He said, "No nation was sounded
IN this, as we did not know in adj
yance what Lloyd George would say.
No consideration of the German over
.ures for peace or Lloyd Georges
speech had any connection with the
'ormation of the note. 1t was not
'inally decided to send it until Mon
day."
Effect of U. S. Entering War
After authorizing the above state
nent, Lansing talked more freely
han usual. In the same tenor it was
uggested to him the United States
vas really not in position to stor
he war unless the belligerents de-
iired it to end. To this he limited II
he United States entered the war,
would turn the scale definitely.
He emphasized there was a feeling
,f danger that this country would be
drawn in,
Purpose Of Message to Belligerenis
Lansing said that there was not
n the administrations mind to sug-
gest peace by the message. On the
contrary, he explained what the Pres
dent desired to learn was the peace
terms Of both sides would consider
L reality, in order to ascertain what
would satisfy belligerents in regard
20 ending the war, with a viewpoint
Of rendering the position of neutral
-.lations less intolerable.
Increase Dangers of U. s. Being
Drawn Into War.
The whole talk emphasized the
idea, eve will have something to
do" if American rights are further
invaded and if both sides continue
to infringe the international law in
yolving American livea, property and
shts.
LONDON, Dec. 21.-Wilson's note
20 the belligerents asking them to
discuss peace terms had not been
published at A o'clock this afternoon.
it is apparent that the censor has
neld up all dispatches regarding it.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 81. - Won
Bernstorff has been informed that
Lansing's statement is obviously
most disturbing. He gave the i'm
preston that Lansing's remarks
were considered significant and Ger
many did not relish the possibility
of the United States becoming in
solved in the war.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 21.-In con-
gress today Hitchcock introduced a
resolution endorsing President Will
sons note to the belligerent nations,
asking them for peace terms, and re-
quested the resolution be given inn
mediate consideration. Borah oppos-
ed the request and suggested that
action be withheld.
WILSON WARNS BELLIGERENTS
WASHINGTON, Dec. 22.-For the
same reason that Great Britain did
aot flatly reject the Teuton's propos-
al, they will not reject Wilson's sug-
gestions, is the belief of some of the
Allied diplomats.