The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-01-17
ALLIES ANSWER WILSON.
ALLIES CAN NOT SEE PEACE
CHANCES NOW.
In Answer to Wilson's Note They Say
There Seems Small Hope for just
Settlement Until Their Arms Have
Changed Situation.

"oShih6to1, Jan. ll.-Tne entente
allies. replying to President Wilson's
peace note in IA joint communication
express the belief that it Is impos-
sible at the present moment to attain
a peace that will assure them repara-
tion. restitution and such guarantees
as they consider are essential.
In a separate note the Belgian gov
ernment expresses It's desire for peace
but declares 1t \could only accept a
settlement which would assure IL
reparation and security in the fu-
ture. ~f
Both Of the communications, made
public by the state department to-
night, are dated January 10 and We're
transmitted In translations from tho
French text through Ambassador
Sharp at Paris.
The translation of the French text
Of the entente note. as cabled by AM
tassador Sharp at Paris. follows:
The allied governments have re-
ceived the note which was delivered
to them In the name OF the govern
ment Of the United States on the
18th OF December. 1915. They
have studied II with the care i'm
posed upon them both by the exact
realization which they have of the
gravity OF the hour and by the sin
cere friendship which attaches them
to the American people.
:, TN general way they wish to de-
clare that they pay tribute to the
elevation OF the sentiment with which
the American note Is inspired and
that they associate themselves with
all their hopes with the project for
the creation Of a league Of nations
to insure peace and justice throughout
the world. They recognize all the
advantages for the cause OF humanity
and civilization which the institution
OF international agreements. designed
to avoid violent conflicts between ma
tions. would prevent; agreements
which must imply the sanctions neces-
sary to insure their execution and thus
to prevent an apparent security from
only facilitating new aggressions. But
q discussion of future arrange
ments destined to insure an enduring
peace presupposes q satisfactory
settlement Of the actual conflict; the
allies have as profound desire as
the government OF the Unl.ed States
terminate as soon as possible a
war for which the central empires are
responsible and inflicts such cruel suf-
ferings upon humanity. But they be-
heve that II Is impossible at the pres
ent moment to attain peace which
will assure them reparation, restitu-
tion and such guarantees 70 which
they are entitled by the aggression
for which the responsibility rests w.
the central powers and Of which the
principle itself tended to ruin the
security OF Europe; a peace which
would on the other hand permit the
establishment of the future of Euro
pean nations on n solid basis. The al
He'd nations are conscious that they
are not fighting for selfish interests.
but above all to safeguard the in
dependence of peoples. of right and of
humanity.
The allies are fully aware of the
losses and suffering which the war
causes TO neutrals rs well as to bel
lserents and they deplore them; but
they do not hold themselves rospon-
siblc FOR them. having in no way
either willed or provoked this war,
and they strive to reduce these dam-
ages In the measure compatible with
the inexorable exigencies Of their de-
tense against the violence and the
wiles oC the enemy.
1T Is with satisfaction, therefore.
that they take OF the declaration that
the American communication Is i'm ~
wise associated In It's origin with that
OF the central powers transmitted or
the 18th OF December by the govern
ment of the United States. They d,l
not doubt. moreover, the resolution Of
that government TO avoid even the
appearance OF support. even moral.
of the authors responsible for the
war.
The allied governments believe
that they must protest in tho most
friendly but in tho most specific man
ner against the assimilation establis,
ed In the American no . between the
two groups of belligerents; this assn,-
ilation, based upon public declare =
tions by the central powers, is i'm d.
rect opposition to the evidence, be: II
as regards responsibility for the past