The Cook County news-herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Cook County, Minn.) 1909-current, 1917-01-03
WILL ADVISE GOVERNMENTS TQ=
- GO AS FAR AS POSSIBLE TO.
WARDS MEETING WISHES
OF UNITED STATES.
MESSAGE is INTERPRETED AS /.
BEARING NO THREAT OF WAR.
Lansing issues Statement to Correct
Earlier Impression-White House +.
Concerned Lest Note Should Be
Construed to Mean Anything
But What It Indicated,

Washington, Dec. %. President
Wilson's note to the belligerents urg-
Ing discussion Of peace has been Off
cially interpreted as not bearing any
threat that the United States might
be forced to enter the war because OF
the continued invasion of it's rights
by the warning powers on both sides.
This Interpretation was made by Sec.
rotary Lansing in a formal statement
issued to overtake what was charac-
terized as widespread misconstructions
placed on statement given out earli-
or in the day saying that, because Of
the increasingly critical condition Of
the United States as a neutral, it was
entitled to know exactly what each
belllgerent seeks in order that it might
regulate it's conduct for the future.
Leads to Exaggerations.
Mr.. Lansings first statement, made
orally and of which no official CODY
was distributed, led to exaggerations
OF it's language and purpose through
out official Washington. It's most strik-
ing phrases on which the widest Spec
ulation was based, were that the
United States was drawing nearer
the verge of war" and the sending of
the note twill indicate the possibility
of our being forced into the war;" and
that neither he nor President Wilson
regarded the note as peace note.''
When word of what the Secretary Oh
State had said spread throughout tho
capital, 1t created the greatest conster-
nation in official circles and among the
foreign diplomats.
Not Approved at White House.
1t became apparent that the secre-
tary's statement was not fully approx
ed at the White House. i
The White House was concerned Lest
any word reach the foreign capitals to
be construed that the American note
was anything but what it indicated on
It's face. So after conference be-
tween President Wilson and Secretar-
Lansing the second statement was for
mally prepared and distributed at the
state department.
The German embassy gave no out
ward evidence of concern over the
sudden developments.
Note Viewed as Friendly.
Allied diplomats, at first at an utter
loss on how to handle the unexpected
situation, became convinced that Al
clearer understanding Of the necess11
ties and purposes of the United States
proved that their fear of a move favor
able to Germany was not contemplated
and that this country would not try
TO force peace on Europe.
Their view grew that the United
States feared that unless the peace
proposals go through now, a period OF
ruthlessness and retaliation may set in
On both sides which will inevitably
force this country into action.
It is indicated, therefore, that the
Allied diplomats will advise their gov
ernments to view tho note in friend
ly spirit and go as far as possible to-
wards meeting the wishes of the Unit
I'D States.
Expects Frank Replies. ,
Secretary Lansing, in calling in the
diplomatic representative of the belli7
gerents, is understood to have made II
clear to them, individually, that the
United States expected the replies OF
their governments to be absolutely
frank in all details. The idea was
fathered that the United States VS.
looking forward to forming itself in4
a clearing house, at least for viewa-
and probably for terms
1t is felt in various diplomatic quar-
ters that while statements regarding
terms, especially those concerning ter.
ritory, might readily be passed aleng;
by the United States, they must not,
If the negotiations are to have the
slightest chance of success, be con-
veyed to the public generally. Should
definite territorial terms be made pub
lie, it is feared a certain section OF
public opinion in the countries affected
would foment additional embarraSss
ments.