The Washington herald., 1917-01-12
ENTENTE'S NOTE
EXPRESSES HOPE
OF ENDING WAR
Reply to Presidents Commu-
nication Leaves Door Open
for Negotiations.
MILDLY CENSURES WILSON
Paragraph Deplores Confusion Of Mo-
tves with Those Animstins
Germany.

lhe peace views Of the entente
allies last night were laid before
President Wilson In a joint reply by
the allied nations to the Presidents
note urging the European beIliserents
to state the objects for which they
are fighting. The reply. while assert
ing that peace Is impossible at the
present moment, gives in some detail
the entente objects In the war"
1t opens the way for a vigorous and
aggressive continuance Of the Presi-
dents efforts toward peace, and IT
states that the allied powers have just
as great desire for peace as has the
United States. There was no doubt in
Washington last night that the entente
reply would result in redoubled activ-
Ity on the part of president Wilson
and such other neutrals as associate
themselves with him, to bring the wal
to an end
BeiGfsns send Note.
While joining in the joint commission,
| the Belgian government sent an indi-
vldual note, expressing its especial appre-
ciatiop Of the Presidsnt's peace move but
protesting vigorously against the fact thai
the President seems TO believe that the
Statesmen Of the two opposing camps
pursue the same objects Of war" The
Belgian note outlines the German trent
ment Of that country, and takes occasion
to renew the thanks OF Belgium for
American relief measures there.
! The entente note itself objected 70 the
Presidents intimstion that both groups
of belligerents apparently were fighting
for the same general objects. II charges
the Teutonic empires with fun RESPONSE
bility for the war. with its resultant hor-
hors, describing the atrocities" OF the
Teutonic forces in conquered countries.
and refers TO the Zeppelin and submarine
| ''outrages"
After stating their peace terms. the
allied powers express their determination
sent TO all sacrifices" to bring the war
to victorious close.
See Little Hope for Peace.
| As 20 peace at the present time. the
allies, after pledgtng themselves TO aid
President Wilson's plans for an interns-
tonal league to insure future peace, said:
! The allies have as profound a desire as
the government of the United States 20
terminate as soon as possible a war for
which the central empires are responsible
and which inflicts such cruel sufferings on
humanity. But they believe that IL Is
impossible at the present moment 70 at
tain peace which will assure them repd-
ration, restitution ard such guarantees 20
1 which they are entitled by the aggression
! for which the responsibility rests with the
central powers and OF which the principle
itself tended to ruin the security OF Eu-
] rope
! The note recognizes the losses and suf-
fering imposed on neutrality by the war
and asserts that the entente powers are
not responsible for them. They have
striven to reduce these damages much
as possible the note says.
/ The reply Of the entente allies TO Ger
many's peace advances the note says.
would answer the Presidents demand for
"a public declaration as to the conditions
upon which the war would be terminal
ed"
No Details at Present.
President Wilson desires more" the
l note continued. He desires that the bel
/ ligerent powers openly affirm the objects
I which they seek by continuing the war;
the allies experience no difficulty in COM
| plying with this request Their objects
| in the war are well known: they have
been formulated on many occasions by
I the chiefs of their divers governments.
Their objects in the war will not be made
/ known in detail with all the equitable
compensations and indemnitfes for dam
| ages suffered until the hour OF negotia-
! tions. But the civilized world knows that
I they imply in all necessity and IN the
! first instance the restoration Of Belgium.
I OF Serbia and Of Montenegro and the in
/ IDENTITIES which are due them: the
I evacuation OF the invaded territories OF
! France, OF Russia, and Of Rumsnia, with
| just repsration; the reorganization OF
Europe guaranteed by a stable regime
| and founded as much upon respect OF
| nationalities and fun security and liberty
| of economic development, which all ma
| tions. great or small possess, as upon
1 territorial conventions and international
/ agreements suitable TO guarantee terri
| torisl and maritime frontiers against un-
| justified attacks; the restitution OF prov
! inces or territories wrested in the past
| from the allies by force or against the
will OF their population the liberation OF