Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-12-21

of their own accord brought forward
their proposals for discussions Of peace.
President Wilson specifically says in the
notes he is somewhat embarrassed in
making the suggestion at this particular
time because it may now seem to have
been prompted by a desire to play part
! in connection with the recent overtures
Of the Central powers"
To the Central powers the President
says his action was in no way Suggest
ed' by the Teutonic proposals, While to
the Entente Allies he says his note Is in
no way associated with them. To both
sets of belligerents he says he would
have delayed offering it until those over
lures had been answered but for the fact
that it also concerns the question of
peace and may thus be considered in con-
nection with other proposals which have
the same end in VIEW
Diplomats consider it incredible that the
President would bring forward such a
proposal at such a time unless he had
reason to believe it would receive respect
full consideration at the hands of all the
belligerents, and above all would not
prejudice the position of the United
States as a possible mediator.
Count Bernstorff Confident
The German embassy view, consistently
hopeful that proposals of the Central AL
lies would lead to a discussion of peace,
was expressed in this authorized state
ment by Count Bernstorff, the German
ambassador:
"Now," said he, II am perfectly con-
WINGED that there will be conference"
RooseveIt's Precedent
The nearest parallel in WORLD history for
President Wilson'S action was President
Roosevelt's move in 1906 to end the war
between Russia and Japan. But in that
case the President had been assured his
proposal would not be disagreeable to
either of the belligerents and, curiously
enough, it was through Emperor William
of Germany that the preliminary sound
ings crystallized into the, suggestion that
President Roosevelt take the steps.
Before that time. President Roose-
welt had conferred with Count Assini,
the Russian ambassador here, and
with Mr.. Takahira, the Japanese min
lister. In the Russian capital the Amer
lean ambassador, George Won L. Mey-
err, had conversations with Count
Lamsdorff, the Russian minister of
foreign affairs. In Toxic. American
Minister Criscom had conversations
with Count Komura, the Japanese
minister for foreign affairs. The out
come of all these preliminaries was
that President Roosevelt was assured
that he would not be Inundated by a
rejection of his action.
Those in official circles who would
discuss the notes thought it worthy of
attention that President Wilson after
saying his action had long been in
mind, added:
1.-The President can only beg that
his suggestion be considered entirely
on it's own merits and as if it had been
made in other circumstances"
The President looks forward in the
notes to the part the neutrals shall
take in assuring the future peace of
the world. He expresses justification in
Suggesting an immediate opportuni-
ty for a comparison Of views as to the
terms which must precede those ulti-
mate arrangements for the peace of
the world, which all desire, and one
which the neutral nations ~ well as
those at war are ready 10 play their
full responsible part"
CONTINUED on Pase 3, Column y