The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1916-12-27
Wilson Asks All Bellgrent
Nations to Make Peace Terms
then begin identically as follows:

lQc fE6SluSuI VI cA1S SAAeS>A
States has instructed me to suggest
to the (hereiis inserted a designa-
ton of the government addressed)
course of action with regard to the
present war which he hopes that the
government will take under consid-
Grafton as suggested in the most
friendly spirit and as coming not
only from friend but also as COM
ing from representatives Of a neu-
trail nation whose interests have been
most seriously affected by the war
and whose concern for its early con-
clusion arises out of a manifest ne
cessity to determine how best to safe
guard those interests if the war is
i, to continue"
Text Very Slightly.
At this point the texts vary. \ In
the notes to the Central Powers this
paragraph follows next:
"The suggestion which am in
structed to make the President has
long had it in mind to offer. He is
somewhat embarrassed to offer it at
this particular time because it may
now seem to have been prompted by
desire to play part in connection
with the recent overtures of the Cen
tral Powers. It has in fact been in
h no way suggested by them in its
origin and the President would have
delayed offering it until those. over
lures had been Independently an
swered but for the fact that it also
concerns the question of peace and
may 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 it
it had been made in other circum-
stances"
In the note to the Entente Allies
the following paragraph takes the
place of the one just quoted:
"The suggestion which I am in
structed to make the President has
long had it in mind to offer. He is
somewhat embarrassed to offer it at
this particular time because it may
now seem to have been prompted by
the recent overtures of the Central
Powers. 1t is in fact in no way as
sociated with them in its origin and
the President would have delayed Of
fering it until those overtures had
been answered but for the fact that
it 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 bel considered entirely
on its own merits and as if it had
been made in other circumstances"
Each Nation Announces Terms
Then, all the notes proceed identi-
cally as follows:
"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 theSarrange-
ments which would be deemed satis-
factory as guaranty against its re-
newal or then hndling Of any similar
conflict in the future az would make
it impossible frankly to compare
them. He is Indifferent as to the
means taken to accomplish this. He
would be happy himself to serve, OF
even to take the initiative in its
accomplishment, in any way that
might prove acceptable, but he has
Ino desire to determine the method or
til instrumentlity. One way will be
as acceptable to him as another if
Ionly the great object he has in mind
be attained.
League of Nations.
.teHe takes the liberty of calling at
tention to the fact that the objects
which the statesmen of the belliger,
ents on both sides have in mind in
this war are virtually the same, az
stated in general terms to their own
Epeople and to the world. Each side
desires to make the rights and priv
ileges of weak people and small
states as secure against aggression
or denial in the future as the rights
andsprivileges of the great and pow
erful states now at war. Each wishes
itself to be made secure in the fu-
ture, along with all other nations
duu sPSOplcS oSoIubt Vic 4SS01ASASO
Of wars like this, and against aggres-
sion 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 q league of nations to
insure peace and justice throughout
the world. Before that final step can
be taken, however, each deems it
necessary first to settle the issues Of
the present war upon terms which
will certainly safeguard the indepep-
dence, the territorial integrity and
the political and commercial free
dom of the nations involved.
U. s. Ready to Cooperate.
"In the measures to be taken to Sc
sure the. future peace Of the world
the people and government Of the
United States is as vitality and as
directly interested as the govern
ments now at war. Their interests,
moreoverl in the means to be adopt
ed to relieve the smaller and weaker
people of the world of the peril of