The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1916-12-28
TEXT OF WILSON'S NOTE

washington, DEC. LZ.-Here Is the
identical text of the note sent by Pres
ident Wilson, through Secretary of
State Lansing, to all the warning pow
ers:
THE President Of the United States
has instructed me to suggest to the
(here Is inserted a designation of the
government addressed) a course Of ac-
ton with regard to the present wal
which he hopes that the government
will take under consideration as sug-
gested In the most friendly spirit and
as coming not only from a friend but
also as coming from the representative
Of a neutral ration whose interests
have been most seriously affected by
the war and whose concern for its
early conclusion arises out of a mani
fest necessity to determine how best
to safeguard those interests If the
war is to continue"
Notes to Central Powers.
At this point the texts vary. In
the notes to the Central Powers this
paragraph follows next:
The suggestion which | am instruct.
ed to make the President has long
had it in mind to offer. He is some
what embarrassed to offer It at this
particular time because 1t may now
seem to have been prompted by a de-
sire to play a part in connection with
the recent overtures of the Central
Powers. 1t has, in fact, been in no
way suggested by them in its origin
and the President would have delayed
Offering 1t until those overtures had
been independently answered but for
the fact that 1t also concerns the
question of peace and may best be
considered in connection with other
proposals which have the same end in
view. The President can only beg
that his suggestion be considered en-
tirely on it's own merits, and as IL it
had been made in other circum-
stances"
Paragraph for Allies Only.
In the note TO the Allies the follow
ing paragraph takes the place of the
one just quoted:
"The suggestion which l am instruct
ed to make the President has long had
it in mind to offer. He is somewhat
embarrassed to offer it at this partic-
ular time because it may now seem to
have been prompted by the recent
overtures Of the Central Powers. 1t
is, in fact, in nc way associated with
them in its origin and the President
would have delayed offering it until
those overtures had been answered
but for the fact that ii also concerns
the question Of peace and may best
be considered in connection with other
proposals which have the same end
In view. The President a only beg
that his suggestion be considered en-
tirely on it's merits and as IL 1t had
been made in other circumstances.
Then all the notes proceed identi-
cally as follows:
"The President suggests hat an
early occasion be sought to call out
from all the nations now at war such
an avowai OF their respective views as
to the terms upon which the wal might
be concluded and the arrangements
which might be deemed satisfactory
as a guarantee against its renewal or
the kindling of any similar conflict in
the future as would make it possible
different as to the leans taken to &C.
complish this. He would be happy
himself to serve, or eve to take the
initiative in it's accomplishments in
any ways that might prove acceptable,
but he has no desire to determine the
method or the instrumentality. One
way will be as acceptable to him as
another if only the great object he
has in mind be attained.
Objects are Virtually the Same.
"He takes the liberty of calling at
tention to the fact that the objects
which the statemen of the belligerents
on both sides have in mind in this
war are virtually the same as stated
in general terms to their wi people
and to the world. Each side desires
to make the rights and privileges
of weak peoples and small states as
secure against aggression or denial
in the future as the rights and privi-
leges of the great and powerful states
now al war.
Each wishes itself to be made Sc
cure In the future along with all other
nations and peoples, against the re-
| currence of wars like this and against
aggression of selfish interference Of
n kind. Each would be Jealous of
the formation Of any more rival
leagues to preserve an uncertain bal
ance Of power amidst multiplying sus-
| picions, but each Is ready TO consider
the formation of a league of nations
to insure peace and justice throughout
the world.
Before the final step a be taken,
| however, each deems 1t necessary first
to settle the issues of the present war
| upon terms which will certainly safe
guard the independence, the terri
| torial integrity and the political and
| commercial freedom Of the nations in
volved. In the measures to be taken
to secure the future peace of the world
the people and government Of the
| United States are as vitality and as
directly interested as the governments
now at war. Their interest. moreover.
in the means to be adopted to relieve