West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1916-12-28
Belligerents Are Asked to State
Terms They Would Consider IN
Establishing Peaee-Wilson De-
termined to Protect American In
terests from Perils Doe to War

Easily the most important new,
event OF the past week was the not,
sent by President Wilson to each o
the belligerents i'm the European war
TO pave the way for peace negotia.
tions. The President is desirous thai
a permanent peace be established and
will do everything that he properly
can toward that end but will not butt
in.' The note was forwarded also "a
all neutral governments for their in
formation. A few slight changes were
made in the note TO the Entente allies
from that TO the Central powers. The
text OF the note to Germany follows:
The President OF the United States
has instructed me TO suggest TO the
Imperial German government a
course of action with regard to the
present war which he hopes that the
Imperial government will take under
consideration as suggested in the most
friendly spirit and es coming not only
from friend but also as coming from
the representative of a neutral nation
whose interests have been most SER
iously affected by the war, and whose
concern for its early conclusion arises
out OF manifest necessity to deter
mine how best to safeguard those in
terests IL the war is to continue.
The suggestions which / am in
structed to make the President has
long had it in mind TO offer. He is
somewhat embarrassed to offer Il at
this particular time, because il may
now seem to have been prompted by
desire TO play a part in connection
with the recent overtures of the CEN
trail powers.
IL has in fact been in no way sug-
gested by them in it's origin, and the
President would have delayed Offering
1t until those overtures had been in
dependently 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 Pres
ident can only beg that this sugges-
ton be considered entirely on its own
merits and as If il had been made in
other circumstances.
The President suggests that an ear
ly occasion be sought to call out from
all the nations now at war such an
avowal of their respective views as
to terms upon which the war might
be concluded and the arrangements
which would be deemed satisfactory
as guarantee against it's renewal or
the kindling of any similar conflict in
the future as would make it possible
frankly to compare them.
lie is indifferent as TO the means
taken to accomplish this. He would
be happy himself to serve or even to
take the initiative in it's accomplish
ment any way that might prove ac-
ceptable, but he has no desire to de-
termine them ethod or the instrument
tality. One way will be as acceptable
to him as another IL only the great
object he has in mind be attained
He takes the liberty of calling at
tention to the fact that the objects
which the statesmen of the belliger-
ents on both sides havei mind I'm this
war are virtually the same, as stated
In general terms to their own people
and 10 the world. Each side desires
to make the rights and privileges Of
weak peoples and small states as Sc
cure against aggression or denial I'm
the future as the rights and privileges
Of the great and powerful states now
~ war. Each wishes itself to be made
secure In the future, along with all
other nations and peoples. against the
recurrence Of wars like this. and
against aggression of selfish interfer-
ence OF any kind.
Each would be Jealous Of the forma-
tion Of any more rival leagues to pre-
serve an uncertain balance OF power
amid multiplying suspicious. but each
Is ready 10 consider the formation OF a
league OF nations to insure peace and
justice throughout the world Before
that final step can be taken, however.
each deems II necessary first to settle
the issues OF the present war upon
terms which will certainly safeguard
the Independence, the territorial right
and the political and commercial
freedom OF the nations involved.
In the measures taken to secure the
future peace OF the world the people
and government Of the United states
are as vitality and as directly interest
ed as the governments now at war.
Their interest moreover. in the means
70 be adopted to relieve the smaller
and weaker peoples Of the world OF the
peril q wrong and violence is as quick
and ardent as that Of any other people
or government They stand ready
ard even eager to cooperate in the
accomplishment Of these ends. when
the war IS over. with every influence
and resouce At their command.
But the war must first be concluded
The terms upon which It is TO be con
ciuded they are not at liberty to-
gest; but the President does q
Il is his right and his duty
out their intimate interest
lest II should pre-
fcQmpIlsh the