The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-12-21
Message to Warning Nations
Would Have Gone Sooner
But for Overtures from Berlin
BELIEF EXPRESSED IT
WILL MEAN PEACE
War Sufferers In Belligerent
Countries Would Not VIII
lingly See Such an Invitation
ignored

Washington. Dec 2o.-President
Wilson. as consistently predicted IN
these dispatches. has thrown the
weight OF the United States into the
balance for peace.
In a note addressed to all of the
belligerents which is Identical in
m eaning he has asked for a definite
statement of the objects for which
they are fighting
He suggests that an Interchange
of views would clear the way at least
for a conference and make the per-
manent concord OF the nations hope
OF the immediate future-a concert
of nations Immediately practicable.
The vital demand for peace Is
summed up in this manner:
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 I'M
precedented contest OF arms No ma
ton in the civilized world can be said
in truth to stand outside It's infiu-
ence or to be safe against Its discour-
aging effects. And yet the concrete
object for which it is being waged
has never been definitely stated"
It Ia made plain the President docs
not propose to dictate the means by
which the great object Of peace can
be obtained, ne would DO happy him.
self to serve" the note states, ''or
even to take the initiative in its ac-
compl!shment In any way that might
prove acceptable. but he has no de-
sire to determine the method or the
fundamentally"
Note Forwarded Monday.
The note was forwarded over the
signature Of Secretary Of State Lam
sing on Monday. It was made avail
able to Washington newspaper mon
late today subject to release at mid
night. The effect OF the I'd are report
that such a communication had gone
forth was Sensational.
A footn ote to the copy which WAS
addressed to Ambassador W. Fl. PAGE
in London announced that 4 similar
communication had been sent to the
representatives accredited to tho gov
ernments OF France. Italy. Japan,
Russia, Belgium. Montenegro. Portu-
gal, Rumania and Serbia. and to all
the neutral governments for their In
formation.
The note to Ambassador Gerard IN
Berlin said copies had been forwarded
to Austria-Hungary.T Turkey and Bull
garta-
Run on State Department
Tho diplomatic representatives In
Washington OF the belfigerent nations
and the Representatives Of ali neutrals
were furnished with copies OF the
note at the same time II was given
to the newspapers. Almost imme-
diately there was a rush OF diplo-
matte callers at the State Department.
The first to arrive were Ambassador
Bakhmetef. Of Russia. ana Ambas-
sador Jusserand. Of France. They
were followed by Sir Richard Barclay.
counselor to the British embassy.
Then German Ambassador Count
Won Bernstorfr made an appointm ent
to confer with Secretary Lansing at 4
o'clock. but the engagement was sub
sequently cancelled.
1t was understood At the State De-
partment the visitors were merely in
formed OF the procedure which had
been followed by the Secretary of
State. acting under the direction of
the White House.
II was learned In authoritative
quarters that President Wilson wrote
the note himself His ideas on the
subject. in tentative form. were as
eembled as long ago as February OF
this year. He had hoped during the
summer to find an opportunity to
make the initial movement. but is
eaid to have felt that the race feel
ing aroused in this country during the
campaign made the step tnadvisahle
The suggestion for peace. which
has now taken definite form, was the
subject OF conferences at the White
House upon the occasion OF the last
few visits Of Colonel f. NJ. House.
the Presidents friend and confiden-
tial adviser It had been all but de-
cided to forward the document when
the German proposal for a peace con-
ference was received. This situation
Is responsible for the following state
ment In the official document:
The suggestion which i am In
structed to make the President has
long had In mind to offer. He Is
somewhat embarrassed to offer It at
this particular time because 1t may
now seem to have been prompted by
the recent overturss OF the central
powers"
At the White House It was stated
explicitly the President had acted on
his own Initiative in the matter. He
IL known. however. TO have solidly
behind him the members of the cabi-
net and tho power Of the committees
In Congress which are directly In
terested.
After the first excitement created
by the news. Senator Atlee Pomerene.
(ConttnueA - second Psgal