The sun., 1916-12-22
PUBLIC MEN DIFFER
ON WILSON'S ACTION
Gamut Of Opinion Runs From
Loud Applause to Severe
Condemnation.
ALL HOPE FOR THE BEST
General Belief Il That Note
Will Lead to Some
Good.

Comment on President Wilson'S note
urging a clear %denn!tio- Of possible
terms Of peace by the ~belligerent Powers
was wide and varied yesterday. 1t
ranged from the attitude OF some who
| declared the Chief Executive was merely
abetting the Central Powers In their
efforts 10 withdraw from the CONFLICT to
those who gave him unstinted praise as
a worker for peace. overlooking his
, sta te that ne intended neither to
, urge peace nor mediation.
But the majority Of those who gave
their views agreed that. whether his ac-
ton Is opportune or not. II will be well
worth while IL It strengthens the way
to peace negotiations and establishes In
the mind of the world Americas desire
for an end Of war and the r~eestablish-
ment Of the principles Of International
law.
Mayor Mitchell expressed guarded APP
rovai Of the note. stating that It outlined
the policy OF this country.
I'VE have all believed that this u
try. when the moment came. could De OF
service in paving the way to peace nego-
tia,ions." he said. eth President Ii
carrying out that policy rs we all hoped
and expected he would. We all feel tnat
the suggestion is a laudable one. ana Az ID
possible that it may result In nndihs inc
basis for negotiations"
Marks fer II.
Marcus NJ. Marks, Borough President.
who Is a director Of the Church Peace
League. approved the note thoroughly.
II heartily commend President Will
sons note" he said. 1T breathes the
spirit OF Americanism and
All men and women agree that any
move which will tend to bring interna-
tional peace even a day nearer viii DC
a great blessing. A..
William Mcdowell. president Of the
League OF Peace, expressed his opinion
in two telegrams he sent to the Presi-
dent and to David Lloyd George yes
terday. To President Wilson he wrote I:
Again, as usual. you have struck ex-
actly the right note at the most oppor-
tune moment. Man spoke. but 1t was
the voice Of God. Good"
To the British Premier he cabled
CONGRATULATIONS on address to ParIia-
ment. Man spoke. but 1t wal the voice
Of God. Good
To each he signed after his name the
word "Pcacemaker."
Comptroller Prendergast deprecated
the American note. especially the ap-
parent doubt In Mr.. Wilson'S mind al to
what the war Is all about.
There Is no doubt In the minds OF
MANY Americans regarding what the
Allies are fighting for he said. even
IL the President seems to be doubtful on
the subject. The German proposal OF
peace was a clever political move. II
aimed to put the Allies In an embarrass-
ing position. The move failed. due 10
the splendid solidarity Of the allied
forces. The effect Of the Presidents
note would be to put the Allies in a
position where they would be required
to state their terms at this time. In my
Judgment they are not called to do So
An Influence for Peace.
DIR. George w. Kirchwey believed tina,
the Presidents tender OF his good offices
: will have considerable influence toward
peace. .
Il, is a noble u%tterance." he declared
and worthy OF the President at his best
American public opinion has in the man
strongly favored the cause OF the Allies
; but II has never been convinced maj th'
war must be fought to n finish and th'
ruin Of Europe made irreparable."
} George W. Perkins criticised the note
, declaring that the United States Is not
.Dsclaration OF peace will automat.
ically put many of our men out OF worR
and will give employment 10 many OIL
Europe's laborers," he pointed out.
Oscar Straus. chairman Of the Public
Service Commission. compared President
Wilson with Abraham Lincoln and
4 added. May the nations heed the
Presidents appeal and try to come e
terms unon a ba isis that will safely guart
= tho world against future similar catas
= ,ro,ho."
. ..T,. ox,r.ss,or. ~ ENGLAND and Cor
, =. n..,s,,i, nronar ,or ,h,
many " ~ s.r,,cos NJ, h.haI
u ~ as, vas ,h. onin
\ VI '"e nsu'"' ~ ~ ,,ri,ar
'on OF us iua az. De-,
'n'"k !. was a'"s' ~ W -
zen. 10 ,ake SUI" " "ep ~" 80
siau ne oiu ~ ~ l.
z Col. Wiiiiam d. nrSa" "e"''"' Nv
e dorsed the note.
n matter how harsn or unreasonaDi
0 either side may seem 10 De its posl''o'
should be stated to the worid, ne sa'u
e THE President has rendered a dlstihc
C service in throwing the great inhuenc'
OF this country into the balance on IN
side OF peace and / have no doubt tina
all other neutral nations will second hi
efforts"
e