Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-12-21
STARTLES BY APPEAL
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are virtually the same as stated in
general terms to their people and to
the world, and yet the concrete OBJ
jects of the war have never been
definitely stated" ..t..r-.
Never yet he says. have the au-
thoritative statements. OF either size
avowed the precise objects which
would, il 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
success even would bring the war to
an end"
1T may be-" continues the note.
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 insist upon are
not so irreconcilable as some have
feared; that an interchange Of views
would clear way at least for confer
ence and make the permanent concord
of the nations a hope of the immediate
future, concert of nations Immediately
practicable"
Previous Intention
There are indications that President
Wilson began preparation of his note
some time ago, probably even before
the German proposals came out, and
that the offer of the Central Powers
and the succeeding developments made
a most favorable opportunity for its
presentation.
The fact that the President asks
first only a clarification of terms is
taken as indicating that he is not ex-
pecting an immediate conclusion. In q
war involving so many conflicting in
terests. not only between the two bel
ligerent groups, but even between ma
tons of the same group, it is realized
that much time may be needed even to
bring about the mere preliminaries OF
a conference. 1t is desired, therefore
to clear away as many of those pre-
liminaries as possible so that when a
solution is near, either by victory or
exhaustion, not day of needless
slaughter may be necessary.
To Cables Yesterday
Just when the note was finished has
not been disclosed but 1t is known
that it went to the cables yesterday
On Monday the higher officials of the
State department were taken into the
Presidents confidence and the text was
sent to the public printer to make
copies for the diplomatic corps. The
fact that the note was completed not
later than Monday and it's dispatch
hot
CARELESS of anything that Lloyd George
might say.
Officials expect the note to be re-
ceived with general favor in Germany
but many believe the real test will
come with it's arrival in the Entente
countries where many influential per-
sons have feared and sought to pre-
vent any American intervention until
the military situation changed. From
the fact, however. that Lloyd Georges
reply to the Central Powers was mild
er than generally had been expected
and still left the way open for further
negotiations, it is believed that the AL
lies will meet the present notes in at
least friendly spirit.
While German officials understood tina,
President Wilson made it clear that he
was not In any sense Offering mediation
to the warning governments, it was de-
clared that should the negotiations reach
that stage Germany, being anxious tc
have the peace of Europe restored, will
ingly would agree to such procedure
Neither does it make any difference tc
Germany it was said whether the con-
ference is composed of representatives OF
all the belligerents or just the coalitions
So far as Germany is concerned, the
view held here is that she would be per
fectly willing that I, committee of three
formed of representative of the Contra
powers, representative Of the Entente
and representative of the United State.
should hold preliminary discussions. The
main idea of Germany and her allies is re
get each set of belligerents into direct
personal communication with the other
The method is considered of secondary
importance.
The view prevailed In German quarter:
that all the belligerents will make some
definite statement In reply to the Unite,
States The very phraseology of the
American communication, it is felt, call.
for replies far more definite than mere
acknowledgment Of receipt.
Count Won Bernstorf will discuss The
situation with Secretary Lansing some
time tomorrow.