New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-21
All People, irrespective Of
Party, Will Back Move,
Says Dean KirChwey
REV. DR.. WISE HOPES
FOR GOOD RESULTS
Note PleaseS SenatOr-eleCt
Calder-SenatOr Weeks
DiSapprOves

Persons in New York City who would
consent to comment last night upon
President Wilson's note to the belliger-
cnt powers were mostly favorable IN
their criticism Of his action. II was
generally felt that he had done The
ght thing at the right time, and had
handled delicate task in most
praiseworthy fashion.
Dr. George ". Kirchwey, dean of the
law department. Columbia Uni' erslty,
said:
The Presidents action rendering
the good Offices of the American gov
eminent to the belligerents with the
new Of bringing the war TO speedy
end deserves and will doubtless re-
ceive the hearty approval Of the Amer
can people. irrespective of party. II
was a fine. courageous act on his part
and will do much TO remove the re-
proach of indifference and timidity
which has been levelled a. him ana al
American public opinion. While that
opinion in the main favors the caWe
OF the Allies. il has never been SHOWN
that the war must be fought TO nhlsh
and the .uin Of Europe made IRE
trievable that a Just and lasune pe"'e
may be established.
Will Enhearten the War Weary
PERHAPS the most important effect
of the Presidents act VIII be 10
hearten and encourage the war-weary
masses Of all the belligerent countries
and strengthen their hands against
militarist groups which would carry on
the war in a spirit Of vengeance or OF
pride"
DR.. stephen :. Wise. Of the Free
Synagogue. said:
The President has moved al the
right time and in the right way 10
have suggested that the Allied Powers
accent peace proposals which were not
made would have been not wise inter
vention. but ludicrous intrusion. Inc
President now asks in the name OF tho
neutral powers and Of humanity that
which the belligerents dare not with
hold statement of their objects
Opportunity for Germany
'If the Central Powers truly desire
peace and not merely truce for the d.
gestion of spoils they will make clear
that thev are prepared TO put away the
intolerable evil Of that militarlsm
which. through the ill-starred leader
shin of Prussia. had come 10 dominate
the life Of Central Europea.
THE word of peace may not prove to
be PREPARATION. but it must result in the
reconstruction Of the violated national
tiles Of Europe"
The Rev. John Haynes Holmes, pas
tor OF the Church OF the Messiah. said:
The news is so good that 1t is diff
cult for me to give expression TO my
feelings. ! regard this as the noblest
instance Of high craftsmanship and
moral leadership that President Wilson
has vet given us. Many OF us have
been longing for months that the Pres
ident would take the lead in this great
spiritual venture and thus be pioneer
in the work which the United States
would seem destined to perform on be
half Of the stricken nations of Europe.
People Eager for Peace
There can be no question that the
peoples of England. France and Ger
many. while devoted TO their respec-
tive national interests. are eager and
hungry for peace. At such time II is
the duty Of America to do everything
I'm her power. even at the risk o. ma
tional prestige. believe the President
will receive the support Of grateful
people
chusetts. said:
In my judgment it is ill-timed and
unwise.'
Senator-elect William VI. Calder said;
at is time our President offered his
good Offices toward bringing about an
end 10 this world conflict. II is step
which should have been taken long
ago"
The Rev. David James Burrell, pas
tor Of the Marble Collegiate Church,
said:
If our country could be instrumental
in anv measure in securing just and
permanent peace | should be very
happv 10 have il so. ! am inclined 70
think that America should go slow in
interfering with the belligerents in any
wav that could be construed as an I'M
ncrtinence. am fearful that any sug-
cestion on our part which IS not called
our by the belligerents themselves
would be unavailing and likely to be
misinterpreted by them