The state herald., 1916-12-29
PRESIDENT MAY SEND RELLIoeR
ENTs ANOTHER NOTE, Ex-
PLANNING HIS ACTION.
PEACE TERMS DESIRED
NOTE NOT DESIGNED TO END
WAR, AND HAS NO BEARING
ON GERMAN ACTION.

Washington, Dec. 22.-The possibility
that the United States might soon be
drawn into the war in defense OF its
rights was the principal consideration
moving President Wilson to address
his peace appeal to the belligerents
asking them to state the conditions on
which they would be willing to end
the conflict.
In order to guide the United States
in determining whether It shall enter
the war the President desires to
know whether there is any prospect OF
peace. or only the prospect of con-
tinuation OF the struggle with unmiti-
gated aggressions upon American
rights by the belligerents.
The President. however, does not
now contemplate plunging the nation
into the war, although that may be
the eventual result II the war contin-
ues and the belligerents do not cease
their aggressions.
At the same time the President does
not wish the belligerents to conceive
the idea that the United States ut.
tered threat to enter the war when
he claimed the right TO address the
belligerents lest the situation Of neu-
tral nations, now exceedingly hard to
endure. be rendered altogether intol-
CRADLE"
II necessary to disabuse the minds
Of the belligerents Of any notion that
threat Of war is thus conveyed, the
President will send them another note
further explaining his attitude.
The first statement issued BY Mr.
Lansing follows:
"The reasons for the sending Of the
note were as follows:
1T is not our material interest we
had in mind when the note was sent.
but more and more our own rights are
becoming involved by the belliserents
on both sides, so that the situation 10
becoming increasingly critical.
Il mean by that. that we are draw
ing nearer the verge Of war ourselves.
and therefore, we are entitled to
know Exactly. what each belligerent
seeks. In order that we may regulate
our conduct In the future.
mo nation has been sounded. No
consideration Of the German over
tures or Of the speech Of Lloyd-Georgs
was taken into account In the for.
mutation Of the document. The only
thing the overtures did was to delay
1t few days. II was not decided TO
send until Monday. or course. the DIFF.
ficulties that face the President were
that II might be construed as a move.
ment toward pence and In aid of the
German overtures. He specifically
denies that that was the fact In the
document itself.
The sending OF this note will indi.
cate the possibility OF our being forced
into the war. That possibility ought
TO serve as restraining and SOLDERING
force. Safeguarding American rights.
1t may also serve to force an earlier
conclusion OF the war. Neither the
President nor myself regards this
note as a peace note: 1t is merely an
effort 10 get the belligerents to dc
fine the end for which they are fight
Ing"
These were the explanations OF the
Presidents peace move emanating
from Secretary of State Lansing and
MIR. Wilson. In the forenoon Mr.. Ian.
sing put forth the official statement
that the President In making his
peace move was actuatcd mainly by
the belief that 1--WE are drawing nearer
to the verge Of war ourselves"
Mr.. Lansing said that in his morn.
ing statement he had sought to OK.
plain the gravity Of the situation con.
fronting the United States In regard
to the grievances against the beliiger.
cnts and tho necessity OF learning
whether the United States Is to con.
tinue prey TO moiestatlon Of rights
involved In continuation OF the war.
Washington. Senator Hitchcock Of
Nebraska introduced a resolution In
the Senate TO indorsc President vii.
SOM peace no,c.
London.--The Daily Telegraph in an
editorial. In common with the other
newspapers. says nobody will impute
anything but the worthiest OF motives