Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-12-22
WILSON 5 move
FOR PEACE BIG
SUR|P PR|SE;NOTE
SENT SECRETLY
Euerests to the Belligerents
That They Discuss Plan
to Stop the War
SAYS NEUTRALS ARE
d LOSING PATIENCE

81 LOSING PATIENCE
London, Dec. 81. The su0ges-
zion Of the United States for an
exchange of views among the bel
liQerents has been received at the
foreign office and now is under
consideration, pending which no
statement will be made.
Washington, d. c., Dec. 21.-Distinct
surprise was apparent among dlplo-
matte officials in Washington today
over President Wilson's plea to Euro
pean belligerents to discuss peace
terms.
Publication today Of the note finish
ed Monday and dispatched Tuesday to
diplomatic representatives abroad
gave most officials the first notice that
such a step was even contemplated at
this time.
Opinion here inclined toward the
view that the action would give strong
encouragement to some sort OF ex-
changes which might result in discus
sion OF definite peace terms between
the beIligerents. It was believed fur-
ther that since the president seeks on
" a Qualification of peace views and
does not offer mediation, the United
States will not be placed in an embar-
RAISING position If the European ma
tions should be unable finally to devel-
on basis on which to approach each
other.
Officials Of the British embassy de
clared they were wholly unable to ex-
plain the action.
Count Won Bernstorff, the German
ambassador; said:
Now, I am perfectly convinced that
there will be conference" He may
confer with Secretary Lansing today.
Expects Consideration.
Diplomatists think it is incredible
that President Wilson should have
taken this action without some belief
that it would not be fatty rejected
without consideration by the entente
allies. That he would take some such
step, has been well known and there
Is no doubt Of the manner OF Its re-
sception among them.
Officials and diplomatists here an
alyzing the presidents note find some
thing deeper than an appeal for con-
sideration of peace terms. They see
that the president in acting was also
considering what would have to be the
course OF the United States to con-
serve it's interests as neutral il the
war is to continue.
Ncutrais Losing Patience.
Coupled with the presidents recent
declaration that the position OF neu-
trails was becoming intolerable, they
attach much significance to his state
ment in the note that his suggestion
comes from neutral whose interests
have been most seriously affected by
the war, "and whose concern for its
early conclusion arises out OF mani
fest necessity to determine how best to
safeguard those interests if the war is
to continue"
The definite proposal of the United
States for "a league of nations to in
sure peace and Justice throughout the
world" is interpreted as step which.
n carried through, would mean the
abandonment Of the theory of "splen-
did isolation" which Washington be-
queathed to the country. Significance
Is attached to the fact that the presi-
dent uses the word insure" rather
than enforce" as indicating that he
has not committed himself to any one
program to accomplish that end but
that he is open to whatever sugges-
tions may seem best to the other world
nations.
To Abandon Policy.
Repeated efforts have been made to
enlist the American government in
some sort Of International agreement
involving responsibility, but always
the answer has been that the United
States would stand alone. Several
months ago President Wilson spoke
most earnestly before the League to
Enforce Peace of his hope that the
United States would join in some new
International arrangements, but not
until now is he known to have made
the proposal officially to the nations OF
The world.
1t is thought here that along these
lines President Wilson's note will find
its most ready reception abroad. for
all parties have indicated their belief
that the war will have been in vain
unless from it comes guarantees
against the repetition.
All Favor a League.
Former Foreign Minister Sir Edward
Grey for England. Premier BRAND for
Tarnce and Chancellor Won Bethmann-
Hollweg for Germany have all COM
mitted their nations to some sort Of
international reorganization to secure
the ends laid down in the presidents
note. and the official offers of the CEN
trail powers together with Lloyd
Georges speech in reply have accen-
tuated that purpose.
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