The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-12-21
TO DISCUSS PEACE
tcontinued from First Page.)


note Is '4n no way associated with
them"
70 both sets OF belligerents he says
he would have delayed offering II
until those overtures had been an
swered but for the, fact that 1t also
concerns the question OF peace ana
NAV thus be considered in connection
with other proposals which have the
same end In view
Diplomatists consider 1t incredible
that the president would bring lot
ward such a proposal at such tlme
unless he had reason to oeneEe II
would receive respectful conS1derauon
at the hands OF all the Relligerents
and above all would not prejudice the
position OF the United States as q
boss BILE mediator.
Won Bernstorff Talks.
The German embassy view, consls
tently hopeful that proposals OF the
central allies would lead to discus
sion OF peace, was expressed IN tnls
authorized statement by Count Serns-
torff, the German ambassador:
Nov" said he, II am perfectly con-
WINGED that there will be CONFER
ence." , -.
The nearest parallel in world his
tory for President Wilson's action
was President RooseVelts move IN
1905 to end the war between Russia
and Japen, But in that case the pres
ident had been assured his propose!
would not be disagreeable to either OF
the belligerepts and curlously enough
It was through Emperor William OF
Germany that the preliminary souno-
tngs crystallized into the suggestion
that President Roosevelt take the
steps. ,,,a
discuss the notes thought 1t worthy
OF attention that President Wilson,
after saying his action had long been
In mind, added:
"The president can only beg that
his suggestion be considered entirely
on its own merits and as If 1t mad
been made in other circumstances.
The President looks forward IN tn6
notes to the part the neutrals Snail
take In assuring the future peace o.
the world. He expresses ]ust1flcauon
In Suggesting an immediate opportu-
nifty for a comparison OF views rs "
the terms which must preceoe tnese
ultimate arrangements for the peace
of The world, which all desire, and III
which the neutral nations as well as
those at war are ready to play their
full responsible part"
:: Objects The Same
! The objects which the oellgerenIs
have in mind, the President points
+, out, are virtually the same as stated
! in general terms to their people ana
! to the world, but yet the concrete op-
jects Of the war have never been
definitely stated"
Never yet" he says, have tue ou-
thoritative statesmen Of either sac
i avowed the. precise objects whlc5
would, il attained, satisfy them and
: their people that the war had been
7 fought out. The world has been ie1I
!, to conjecture what definitlve results,
! what actual exchange Of guarantees,
:. what political or territorial changes
!: or establishments. what stage OF mil
itarv success even, would bring the
war to an end.
at NAV be-" continues the note,
that peace is nearer than We know;
that the terms which the belligerents
on the one side and on the other
would deem it necessary to insist
upon are not so irreconcilable as
some have feared: that an inter
change OF views would clear the way
at least for conference and make the
permanent concord of the nations
hope OF the immediate future, a con-
cert of nations immediately practlc-
able"
To Clarity Terms.
There are indications that President
Wilson began preparation OF his note
some time ago, probably even before
the German proposals came out. and
that the offer OF the Central powers
and the succeeding developments made
a more favorable opportunity for its
presentation.
The, fact that the President asks
only a Identification Of, the terms is ia
ken AS indicating that he is not expect
ing an immediate solution. In war
involving so many conflicting interests.
not only between the two belllgerent
groups. but even between nations OF
the same group, it is realized that
much time may be needed even to
bring about the mere prellmtnarles OF
a conference. 1t Is. desired. therefore.
to clear away as many Of these prelim-
inaries as possible. so that when a, So
luton is near. either by victory, or ex-
haustion, not day OF needless Slaugh-
ter may be necessary.
Just when the note was finished
has not been disclosed, but it is known
. that it went to the cables yesterday.
On Monday the higher officials Of the
State Department were taken into the
Presidents confidence. and the text
was sent to the public printer to make
copies for the diplomatic corps. The
fact that the ote was completed not
later; than Monday, and its dispatch
Tuesday. indicate that 1t was sent re-
CARELESS OF anything that Lloyd George
might say.
6ficiais expect the note to be re-