Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-12-26
The PRESIDENTS feace Suggestion.

THE President is not proposing peace; he
Is not even offering mediation He is merely
proposing that soundings be taken in order that
we may learn, the neutral nations with the
belligerent, how the haven of peace may
be for which all mankind longs with an intense
and increasing longing"
These lines denote the whole purpose and spirit
of President Wilson's note to the warning Powers.
Fully realizing the delicacy Of offering any peace
suggestions this juncture of the war; he has ap-
preached the problem in a manner that cannot Of
fend and has opened way to frank discussion
that would not prejudice the interests of either
side.
A direct offer of mediation in present crcum-
stances would have been rejected summarily by the
Allies, and would have been resented by them as
an intrusion in favor of their enemy. Germany Is
now as eager to end the she was to begin 1t.
The conditions for hard, shrewd bargaining are
now all TO her advantage; six months or year
hence they may be heavily against her. The Allies
desire peace as profoundly, doubt, as does Ger
many but they insist that there be no Just and
enduring peace until certain principles are vindi-
Gated and made secure. They declare too, that
they have both the will and the strength to press
their cause to successful issue. From that point
of view, therefore, proposal to mediate at mo-
ment when the fortunes of the Central Powers
were at their height but when the struggle was
and probably would have impaired the opportunity
of the United States for future service.
But the President makes no such proposal. He
does not suggest armistice he does not suggest
that either side commit itself to any particular
method Of peace procedure or negotiation; he does
not suggest that either side surrender any priv
ilege, make any concession or pause In any plan.
He suggests merely that soundings be taken"
to the terms which must constitute the beginning
of any negotiations into which both sides would
be willing to enter. just what the Central
Powers with Turkey and Bulgaria fighting for?
Just what are the Entente Powers and their allies
fighting for? In America answer these ques-
tions largely according to sympathy with one
the other belligerent groups. But not one of the
belligerents has intimaed exactly what it is fight
ing for. AS the President points cut:
"Never yet have the authoritative spokes-
men of either side avowed the precise objects
which would if attained, satisfy them and their
people that the had been fought out. The
world has been left to conjecture what definite
results, what actual exchanges of guarantees,
what political or territorial readjustments,
what stage of military success even would
bring the war to end"
In it's recent peace overtures the German Gov
eminent gave no hint the nature of the proposals
which desired to bring to conference, and it was
precisely that ground that Great Britain and her
allies based their rejection There be no start
ing point for discussion of peace-certainly not
so long as the present military deadlock continues
until there is some understanding Of what either
both sides will accept basis for negotiations.
why should not Germany state her terms of peace?
Why should not the Allies state their terms of
peace? 1t is worth noting that while Premier
Lloyd George, in his speech to the House Of Com
mons last week. vigorously rejected Germanys pro-
posal of a conference, he careful not to close
the way entirely to other proposals which Ger
many might see fit to make Indeed he let it be
understood that due consideration would be given
to any definite terms of peace which Germany
might propose. And the rumor is that Germany is
willing to submit terms.
There is thus at least chance that the Presi-
dents suggestion may lead helpful results. 1t is
hardly conceivable that terms satisfactory to both
groups of begerents could be formulated at this
particular time But it is not impossible that the
air may be cleared of much confusion and uncer-
tainty and that discussions may be started which
eventually will prove fruitful. The Presidents
"soundings" may discover hope whatsoever, but
if they should bring nearer by one month or one
day that "haven of peace for which all mankind
longs" they will have served a purpose indeed
blessed.
FSanta Claus"