Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-12-21

somewhat embarrassed to offer 1t at
this particular time because it may
now seem to have been prompted by
the recent overtures of the Central
Powers. 1t is, in fact, in no way as
sociated with them in its origin and
the President would have delayed Of
fering it until those overtureS had
been answered but for the fact that it
also concerns the question of peace
and may best be considered in con-
nection with other proposals which
have the same end in view. The
President can only beg that his sug-
gestion be considered entirely on It's
own merits and as if it had been made
in other circumstances"
Then, all the notes proceed identi
cally as follows:
The President suggests that an
early occasion be sought to call from
all the nations now at war such an
avoWal of their respective views as
to the terms upon which the war
might be concluded and the arrange
mentS which would be deemed satis-
factory as guaranty against its re-
ncwal or the kindling OF any similar
conflict in the future as would make
il possible frankly to compare them.
lie is Indifferent as to the means taken
to accomplish this. He would be
happy himself TO serve, or even to
take the initiative in its accomplish
ment, in any way that might prove
acceptable, but he has no desire to
determine the method or the inStru-
mentality. One way will be as ac-
ccptable to him as another if only the
great object he has in mind be at
tanned.
Objects Virtually the Same
'He takes the liberty of calling at
tention to the fact that the objects
which the statesmen of the belliger-
ents on both sides have in mind in
this war are virtually the same, as
stated in general terms to their own
people and to the world. Each side
desires to make the rights and privil-
eyes of weak peoples and small states
as secure against aggression or denial
in the future as the rights and privil-
eges of the great and powerful states
now at war. Each wishes itself to
be made secure in the future, along
with all other nations and peoples,
against the recurrence of wars like
this, and against aggression of selfish
interference of any kind. Each would
be Jealous of the formation of any
more rival leagues to preserve an un-
certain balance of power amidst
multiplying suspicious; but each is
ready to consider the formation of a
league of nations to insure peace and
justice throughout the world. Before
that final step can be taken, how
ever, each deems it 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
involved.
In the measures to be taken to Sc
cure the future peace of the world
the people and government of the
United States are as vitality and as di-
rectly interested as the governments
now at war. Their interest, more
over, in the means to be adopted to
relieve the smaller and weaker peo-
pies of the world of the peril of wrong
and violence is as quick and ardent
as that of any other people or govern
ment. They stand ready, and even
eager, to cooperate in the accom-
plishment of these ends, when the war
is over, with every influence and re-
source at their command. But the
war must first be concluded. The terms
upon which it is to be concluded they
are not at liberty to suggest; but the
President does feel that it is his right
and his duty to point out their inti-
mate interest in its conclusion, lest it
should presently be too late to ac-
complish the greater things which lie
beyond its conclusion, lest the situa-
ton of neutral nations, now exceed
ingly hard to endure, be rendered al
together intolerable, and lest more
than all, an injury be done civilization
itself which can never be atoned for
or repaired.
Moves For Peace of World
'rhe President therefore feels al
together justified i'll suggesting an inn
mediate opportunity for 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 ma
tionS as well as those at war are ready
to play their full responsible part. III
the contest must continue to proceed
towards underlined ends by slow at
triton until the one group of belliger-
entS or the other is exhausted, If mill
lion after million of human lives must
continue to be offered up until on the
one side or the other there are no
more to offer, If rcsentments must be
kindlcd that can never cool, and des-
pairs engcndcrcd from which there
and of the willing concert of free
peoples 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
tion in the civilized world can be said
in truth to stand outside it's influence
or to be safe against it's disturbing eff
fects. And yet the concrete objects
for which it is being wagered have
never been definitely stated.
THE leaders of the several beili-
gerents 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
tie authoritative spokesmen of either
side avowed the precise objects which
would, II 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