The Washington times., 1917-01-18
ALLIES AMPLlFY REPLY
Assert Wilson's Peace League Idea
Rests on Their Triumph.

The, entente allies, in a note ad-
dressed by Arthur Balfour, British
foreign minister, to Ambassador
Spring-Rice and delivered to the State
Department, amplify their reply to
President Wilson's note by explaining
in detail why they believe IL impos-
sible at present to attain q peace
which win assure them such guaran-
tees IS they consider essential.
The note also explains why the all
lies demand the expulsion of Turkey
from Europe. restoration of Alsace-
Lorraine to France, Of Italia Irredenta
to Italy, and the other territorial
changes set forth.
Treaty No Protection"
Those who think the future peace of
the world may be insured by interna-
tional treaties and laws, the note says,
have III learned the lessons taught by
recent history. After charging that
German influence in Turkey had re-
suited In conditions as barbarous and
more aggressive than were known I'M
der Sultan Abdul Hamid and that 1t
had been shown Germany cannot be
expected to-respect treaty obligations,
Mr.. Balfour says:
so long as Germany remains the
Germany which without a shadow of
justification oyerran and barbarously
ll-treated q. country 1t was pledged
to defend, no state can regard its
rights as secure IL they have no bets
ter protection than a solemn treaty"
Terrorization by Horror.
Asserting that Belgium was not
; Germany's only victim. ana that "neu-
trails were intended to note outrages
which accompanied it's conquest" the
note recites the reign of terror" at
tendant upon Germany's method of
warfare. and in that connection says:
THE war staffs of the central pow
srs are well content to horrify the
world If at the same time they can
terrovize it,
The people of Great Britain, Mr..
Balfour says. share President Will
sons desire for peace. but do not be-
lieye It can be durable unless based
on the success Of the allied cause.
Three Conditions For -Peaee.
Such a peace. it is argued, cannot
be expected unless these three condi-
lions are fulfilled:
1. Existing causes of international
unrest shall be as far as possible re-
moved or weakened.
2 The aggressive aims and the un-
scrupulous methods of the central
powers should fall into disrepuee
among their own peoples.
3 Behind international law and be-
hind all treaty arrangements for pre-
venting or limiting hostiIities some
. form of international sanction should
be devised which would give pause to
the hardest aggressor.
In Line With Wilson's Idea.
1t is recognized that these condi-
lions may be difficult of fulfilIment.
but the belief is expressed that they
are in general harmony with and an
Endorsement of President Wilson's
ideas. The note declares confidence
that so far as Europe is concerned
none Of the conditions can be salts
ned, even imperfectly, unless peace is
obtained on the general lines indi-
Gated by the allies joint note.
Great Britain's note was entirely
unexpected to officials here, but was
gratifying because they interpreted It
as q step toward the world federation
20 preserve peace, to which President
AASOAr WIN AZ MS SPECIFIES ana IN
his peace note, has pledged the United
states.
JustInes Continuance.
Great Britain justifies her continu-
ance OF hostilities, 1T was pointed out,
not only for the immediate objects Of
the war, but also on the necessity
that behind international law and
behind all treaty arrangements for
preventing or limiting hostiIities
some form OF international sanction
should be devised which would give
pause to the hardest agEressor."
1t IL just some such arrangement,
IL was pointed out, which President
Wilson has been urging and which is
expected to cause wider disagreement
IN regard TO American foreign policy
than any other question raised in
the country's history.