Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1916-12-28
TEXT OF VIII SONS NOTE

The President of the United States
(here Is inserted designation of the
government addressed) a course OF &C.
ton with regard to the present war
which he hopes that the government
will take under consideration as sug-
gested In the most friendly spirit and
as coming not only from a 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 II the
war Is to continue"
Notes to Central Powers.
At this point the texts vary. In
the notes to the Central Powers this
paragraph follows next:
The suggestion which 7 am instruct
ed to make the President has long
had 1t In mind to offer. He is some
what embarrassed to offer it at this
particular time because 1t may now
seem to have been prompted by a de.
sire to play a part In connection with
the recent overtures of the Central
Powers. It 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 independently answered but for
the fact that II 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 en-.
tirely on its own merits, and as IL II
had been made in other circum'
stances"
Paragraph for Allies Only.
In the note to the Allies the follow,
ing paragraph takes the place of the
one just quoted:
The suggestion which am instruct
Ii In mind TO offer. He Is somewhat
embarrassed to offer 1t at this partic
ular time because 1t may now seem to
have been prompted by the recent
overtures of the Central Powers II
IL, In fact. in no way associated with
them in its origin and the President
| would have delayed offering IL until
those overtures had been answered
but for the fact that 1t 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 en-
tireIy on its merits and as If 1t had
been made in other circumstances.
Then all the notes proceed identi
| cally as follows:
The President suggests that ar
| early occasion be sought to call ou
| from all the nations now at war such
an avowal of their respective views al
ito the terms upon which the war NIGH
| be concluded and the arrangements
which might be deemed satisfactory
as a guarantee against its renewal Of
| the kindling of any similar conflict IL
| the future as woult. make 1t possible
|
| different as to the means taken to &C
| complish this. He would be happy
| himself to serve, or even to take tbs
initiative In its accomplishments ii
any ways that might prove acceptable
! but he has no desire to determine thu
method or the instrumentality. On
way will be as acceptable to him a.
another II only the great object h
| has in mind be attained.
| Objects are Virtually the Same.
| HE takes tho liberty OF calling at
| tention to the fact that the object
| which the statemen of the belligerent
on both sides have in mind In thi
| war are virtually the same as states
| In general terms to their own peopl
and to the world. Each side desire
| to make the rights and privilege
Of weak peoples and small states a
| secure against aggression or denia
| in the future as the rights and priv
| leges of the great and powerful state
| now at war.
| Each wishes itself to be made sc
i cure III the SAth Gal SAhC
| nations and peoples. against the re
| currence OF wars like this and agains
aggression of selfish interference Q
any kind. Each would be jealous G
the formation OF any more riva
leagues to preserve an uncertain ba
ance of power amidst multiplying sus
picions, but each Is ready TO conside
the formation of league of nation
10 insure peace and justice Throughout
the world.
Before the final step can be taker
however, each deems 1t necessary frs
to settle the issues of the present wa
anon terms which will certainly SAT-
guard the independence, the terri
torial integrity and the political an
commercial freedom OF the nations II
volved. In the measures TO be take
TO secure the future peace of the wori
the people and government of tn
United States are as vitality and q
directly interested as the government
now at war. Their interest. moreove
| in the means to be adopted to reliey
Germans Think Allies Are 6lufssns.