Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-01-01
REPLY HELD TOO BLUNT.
British Press Insists on Different Tone
on Answering Wilson Note.


London, jan. 1.-The hope is ex-
pressed by the Manchester Guardian
that the Forthcoming note from the en-
tente to President Wilson will be writ
ten by a different hand and in a dir
ferent spirit than the reply of the allies
to Germany. s
Several things must be remembered
in extenuat ton Of the poor quality and
poorer expression Of the allies reply to
Germany" says the Manchester Guar
dian. The French original clearly 10
not the French Of Frenchman.
Aside from these blemishes, in sub
stance the reply was very much what
was expected and inevitable. We ven
ture to think that nothing was added
to it's force by the verbal embellish-
ments with which it was enlarged and
weakened. These emotional aQpeals
continue tnruout the notes postscript.
(which is strong, clear, logical, convrnc-
i & and obviously by different hand
,aing specifically with Belgium.
7 Nevertheless we see no reason why
Germany Is willing publicly to state
what she is prepared to offer should
we not follow with a statement OF
what we demand. The next exchange
Of views is between the allies ano
President Wilson. This is in meas
ure a more difficult matter. We hope
the reply will be drafted in this coun-
try and addressed, as we alone know
how, to the minds and hearts OF the
American people. If lit is to avail in
enlightening American opinion and
winning American sympathy it must be
conceived in a different spirit than the
document just made public"
The Westminster Gazette says: The
reply Of the allies to the central powers
by no means winds up this debate. We
have now to reply to President Will
sons note and we hope to do so in tho
reasonable and courteous manner due
friendly neutral. In this we have not
only to inform President Wilson on
questions which in all probability he
| understands we'll, but to make our case
clear to the American public.
There is nothing in history quite
analogous to this exchange of mann
festoes between belligerents while the
armies are still at grips, but let US be
assured it Is going to play a highly
significant and possibly important part
in the last stage Of this war"
May Tell Allied Aims.
Interest is concentrated more thar
ever now on the allies Forthcoming
ianswer to President Wilson, The i'm
portance of that answer is fully ap-
preciated in the belligerent chancel-
lories, where it's terms are being most
carefully considered.
The first feeling of chaerin which
was aroused by Its receipt has been
greatly Modified, If it has not alto
gether disappeared, and the journal
istic advice about merely reminding
| America how Lincoln received the
European offers OF mediation Is not so
much in favor as it was, The opinion
now is strong in responsible quarters
| that, as far as can safely be done, the
presidents request for specific infor-
nation on the allies aims should be
acceded to.
The presidents desire for peace is
understood. but the allies are agreed
that it must be a peace at the eX
pense of the central powers. As far as
Britain is concerned. The opening of
the new year is being heralded by a
note of confidence in the results that
must flow from the fullest develop
ment of Rritain's military and civil
| resources. working toward common
end.
The estimates OF the Number of new
men who will be made available for
military service when tho system Of
substitution for munitions work and
the essential industries is in force.
vary from three and al half to four
millions. while at the same time the
output of military necfssaries Will be
| increased far out of proportion to any
| anticinat n cd demands