Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1916-12-29
President, xilsOn's Message TO The

gro, Portugal, Roumania and Serbia. A
communication practically identical in
phrasing has been sent TO the American
diplomatic representatives accredited to
the governments of Germany. Austria
Hungary, Turkey and Bulgaria. Copies of
both communications have been sent to
all neutral nations for their information;
Department Of State.
Washington, D. c., Dec IS. 1916.
The President directs me to send you
the following communication to be pre-
sented Immediately to the Minister of
Foreign Affairs Of the Government to which
you are accredited:
The President of the United States has
instructed me to suggest to the Imperial
German Government a course of action
with regard to the present war which he
hopes that the Imperial Government will
take under consideration as suggested in
the most friendly spirit and as coming not
only from friend but also as coming from
the representative of neutral nation
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.
The suggestion which am instructed TO
make the President has long had it in
mind to offer. He is somewhat embar-
raised to offer il at this particular time be-
cause il may now seem to have been
prompted by desire 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
il until those overtures had been indepen-
IDENTIFY answered, but for the fact that il
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 entirely on
its own merits and as If it had been made
in other circumstances.
The President suggests that an early
occasion be sought to call out 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
arrangements which would be deemed sat
isfactory as a guaranty against its renewal
or the kindling of any similar conflict in
the future as would make il possible frankly
to compare them. He 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 ac-
ceptable. 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
He takes the liberty of calling attention
to the fact that the objects which the
statesmen Of the belligerents 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 privileges
OF weak peoples and small states as secure
against aggression or denial in the future
as the rights and privileges of the great
and powerful states now at war Each
wishes itself to be made secure in the
future. along with all other nations or
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 uncertain balance
of power amidst multiplying suspicious
but each is ready to consider the formation
of league of nations to insure peace and
justice Throughout the world. Before that
final step can be taken. however, each
deems ii necessary first to settle the issues
Of the present war upon terms which will
certainly safeguard the independence. the
territorial 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 the smaller and weaker peoples Of
the world Of the peril of wrong and vio-
lence is as quick and ardent as that Of any
other people or government. They stand |
ready and even eager. to cooperate in the |
Of these ends. when the war
is over. with every influence and resource
at their command. But the war must first
be concluded. The terms upon which il Is |
to be concluded they are not at liberty
to suggest but the President does feel |
that it his right and his duty to point out
lest it should presently be too late to ac-
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 repaired
The President therefore feels altogether
justified in suggesting an immediate OPP
portunity for comparison Of views as to
the terms which must precede those ulti-
mate arrangements for the peace Of the
world which all desire and in which the
neutral nations as well as those at war are
ready to play their full responsible part
II the contest must continue to proceed
toward underlined ends by slow attrition
until the one group Of belligerents or the
other is exhausted. IL million after million
of human lives continue to be offered up
until on the one side or the other there are no
more to offer, IL resentments must be kin
died that can never cool and despairs
eneendered from which there can be no