The Tomahawk., 1916-12-28

the smaller and weaker peoples OF the
world of the peril of wrong and
violence is as quick and ardent as
that of any other people and govern
ment. They stand ready and even
eager to cooperate in the accomplish"
ment of these ends when the war IS
over with every influence and re-
source at their command.
But the war must first be conclud'
ed. The terms upon which 1t Is TO pc
concluded they are not at liberty TO
suggest, but the president does feel
that it is his right and his duty to
point out their intimate interests In
it's conclusions, lest it should presently
be too late to accomplish the greater
things which lie beyond it's conclu-
sions, lest the situation Of neutral ma
lions, now exceedingly hard to en-
dure, be rendered altogether 1ntoler-
able, and lest more than all, an injury
be done civilization itself which can
never be atoned for or repaired.
President Feels Justified.
gether justified in suggesting an i'm
mediate opportunity for comparison
of views as to the terms which must
precede those ultimate arrangements
for the peace of the world, which all
desire and in which the neutral nations
as we'll as those at war are ready to
play their full responsible part. II
finn
towards underlined ends by slow attrl-
tition until the one group OF bell1ger-
ents or the other is exhausted, If mil
lion after million of human lives must
continue to be offered up until on the
one side or the other there are no
more to offer; if resentments are to be
kindled that never can cool and de-
spairs engendered from which there
can be no recovery, hopes of peace and
of the willing concert of free people
will be rendered vain and idle.
'The life of the entire world has
been profoundly affected. Every part
of the great family Of mankind has
felt the burden and terror of this un-
precedented contest of arms. No ma
ton in the civilized world can be said
in truth to stand outside it's influence
or to be safe against it's disturbing ef'
fects. And yet the concrete objects
for which it is being waged have never
been definitely stated.
Stated in General Terms.
1.-THE leaders Of the several bellig-
erents have, as has been said, stated
these objects in general terms. But
stated in general terms, they seem the
same on both sides. Never yet have
the authoritative spokesman of either
side avowed the precise objects which
would, if attained, satisfy them and
their people that the war had been
fought out. The world has been left
to conjecture what defxite results
what actual exchange of guarantees
what political or territorial changes or
readjustment, what stage of military
success ever would bring the war to
an end.
Peace May Be Very Near.
1T may be'that peace is nearer than
we know; that the terms which the
belligerents on the one side and on
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 a
hope of the immediate future, con-
cert of nations Immediately practica.
BILE.
"The President is not proposing
peace, he is not even Offering media
ton: He is merely proposing that
soundings be taken in order that we
may learn, the neutral nations with the
belligerent, how near the haven Of
peace may be for which all mankind
longs with an intense and increasing
longing.
Believes Spirit Is Understood.
He believes that the spirit in which
he speaks and the objects which he
seeks will be understood by all con-
cerned, and he confidently hopes for a
response which will bring new light