Omaha daily bee., 1916-12-21

erty to suggest, but the president
does feel that it is his right and his
duty to point out their intimate IN
terests in its conclusions. lest it
should presently be too late to accom-
plish the greater things which lie be-
yond its conclusion, lest the situation
of neutral nations, now exceedingly
hard to endure, be rendered altogether
intolerable, and lest, more than all, an
injury be done civilization itself
which can never be atoned for or re-
paired.
Justified in Suggesting Plan.
The president, therefore, feels JUS
tilted in suggesting All immediate OPP
portunity for a comparison Of views
as to the terms which must prccede
those ultimate arrangements for the
peace of the world which all desire
and in which the neutral nations as
we'll as those at war are ready to play
their full responsible part. If the con-
test must continue to proceed to-
wards underlined ends by slow attri-
ton until the one group OF belliger-.
ents or the other is exhausted, il
millions upon millions Of human lives
must continue to be offered up until
on the one side or the other there are
no more to offer. il resentments must
be kindled that can never cool and de-
spairs engendered from which there
can be no recovery, hopes of peace
and of the willing concern of free peo-
pies will be rendered vain and idle.
THE life OF the entire world has
been profoundly affected. Every part
OF the great family Of mankind has
felt the burden and terror of this un-
precedented contest of arms. No ma
ton in the civilized world can be said
to stand outside of its influence or to
be safe against its disturbing effects.
And yet the concrete objects for
which it is being waged have never
been definitely stated.
Not Specifically Stated.
"The leaders OF the several bellig-
erents have, as has been said, stated
those objects in general terms. But,
stated in general terms, they seem the
same on both sides. Never yet have
the authoritative spokesman Of either
side avowed the precise objects which
would, if attained, satisfy them and
their people that the war had been
fought out. The world has been left to
conjecture what definite results, what
actual exchange Of guarantees, what
political or territorial changes or re-
adjustments, what stage of military
successes even would bring the war to
an end.
at may be that peace is nearer than
we know; that the terms which the
belligerents on the one side and on the
other would deem it necessary to in
sist upon are not so irreconcilable as
some have feared; that an interchange
of views would clear the way at least
for conference and make the perma-
nent concern Of the nations hope of
the immediate future, concert of ma
tons Immediately practicable.
The president is not proposing
peace, he is not even offering media
ton. He 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 man
kind long with an intense and increas-
ingly longing. He believes that the
spirit in which he speaks and the OBJ
jects which he seeks will be under
stood by all concerned and he conf
IDENTIFY hopes for response which will
bring new light into the affairs of
the world"
The note to the entente group will
be delivered to Great Britain, France,
Italy, Japan, Russia, Belgium Monte
negro, Portugal, Roumania and Ser
bia. That to the central powers will
be delivered to Germany, Austria
Hungary, Turkey and Bulgaria
1t is being delivered to all neutral
governments for their information.