Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1916-12-29
URGING Pc ACE TO
KEEP U.S.OUT WAR
Lansing Explains Wilson's Re-
quest For Terms.
NEUTRALS ARE N PERIL
Warns Fighting Nations Other Pow
ers May Have to Act in Se'r'
Defence.

Defence.
Danger of the United States itself pc
in urawn into the war, by reasrn OF It's
increasingly critical position as a neu'
trail, was one of the moving consider
liions in President Wilson'S despatch
Of notes to all the belligerent nations,
arging them to discuss terms OF peace
Secretary of State Lansing authorlz
I'd the statement that the material
rights of the United States had not
been the paramount consideration.
Americas rights, he said, were be-
ing more and more invoked by the
belligerents, and as the United States
was drawing nearer the verge ol
war" it was entitled to know exactly
what each belligerent seeks "in order
that we may regulate our conduct N
the future"
Later the president sent for Mr.. Ian
sing. and after the conference, the
secretary issued a second statement
amplyfying and qualifying the ONT
made earlier, because, he said, ne
feared incorrect differences were be-
ing drawn from his first utteranoe
The purpose of the second statement
he said, was to make clear beyond
question that there was no change IN
the policy of neutrality of the United
States. He added that he wished tc
emphasize the notes to the belliger'
ents should in no sense be construed
as threat to any government.
Lansing's First Statement.
Mr.. Lansing's first staten ant fol
lows:
"The reasons for the sending CT the
note were as follows:
1T isn't our material interest wt
had in mind when the note was sent
but more and more our own rights are
becoming involved by the helligerents
on both sides, so that the situation Is
becoming increasingly critical.
"I mean by that. that we are draw
ing nearer the verge Of war ourselves,
and, therefore, we are entitled to know
exactly what each belligerent SEEK, in
order. that we may regulate our con
duct in the future.
mo nation has been sounded, Nc
consideration of the German overtures
or of the speech of Lloyd George was
taken into account in the formulate n
of the document The only thing the
overtures did was to delay it a few
days.
TT was not decided to send it until
5oq Mo4day 9ce of Of o2aFn the 9fn ba ff i
might be construed as movement to-
ward peace, and in aid of the German
overtures. He specifically denies that
that was the fact in the document IT.
SELF"
Secretary Lansing further said at
this time:-
"The sending of this note will indi,
cate the possibility of our being TO. C.
ed into war. That possibility ought
to serve as restraining. and SOLDERING
force safeguarding American rights. Ii
may also serve to force an earl er
conclusion of the war. Neither the
president nor myself regard this n te
as a peace note; it is merely an ef-
fort to get the belligerents to define
the end for which they are fighting :"
Lansing's Second Statement.
The second statement read:
81 have learned from several quar-
ters that a wrong impression was
made by the statement wnica | mad@
my intention was to suggest tt
very direct and necessary lnteres
which this country, as one Of the ne
trai nations, has in the possible term
which belligerents may have in mind
and | do not intend to intimate tai
the government was considering any
change in its policy Of neutrality
which it has consistently pursued i
the face of constantly increasing d.
iculties. $50,
realize that they were. l think thai
the whole tone and language of the
note to the belligerents show the pu
pose, without further comment on my
part. 1t is needless to say that | am
unreservedly in support OF that. par
pose and hope to see 1t accomplished
In the formal notes to the belliger.
ents, the president did not propose
peace or offer mediation His appeal
was merely for discussion of terms
which may end the war. The notes
have been virtually forty eight hours
on their way, having been sent Tues.
day, and officials believe they have
reached all the foreign capitals.
The president, 1t is known, IS rely.
ing upon public opinion in other nau
trail nations to add force to his efforts
While the American government acted
entirely on its own responsibility, the
president feels other neutral nations,
for economic reasons, are vitally in
terested in the outcome.
It was stated auth2Titativeiy that the
president acted without assurance that
his move would be favorably received
by the entente allies. He took tie
position, it was said, that his note
calls for replies, and that even though
unfavorable, the responses would tenf
to make clear the objec's of tho bel
ligerents and establish some commor
ground.
There is every indi"ati th-t the
president is hopeful Of the outlook, and
he believes the way has bean cpene ;
for negotiations. What steps he takes
in the future depend entirely upon the
nature of the responses.
Kaiser to Discuss U. S. Mediation.