The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-01-12
People Expect No Tangible Re-
suits, However, in Near
Future.
COUNT ON U. S. APPROVAL
Franknsss in Giving Terms Re-
fleets Change in Opinion
Toward Wilson.
By ED L. KEEN,

LONDON. Jan. 1.-THE peace door
- stin open-but no tangible results
SrN 70 be expected in the near future.
This was the British view as re-
neetad In the press and on the streets
today a. to the effect of the allies re-
ply to President Wilson's peace sug-
gesuons. 1t would be difficult to find
any Britisher today rash enough to pre-
oict that Germany is now ready to ac-
eept the terms which the note specifies.
The man in the street is under no
oelustons as to Germany's present mill
tary strength-but he confidently be-
ueyes sooner or later Germany will be
Forced both by military and economic
necessity, to submit to the terms the
slies have laid down.
Rejects Popular Opinion.
The frankness and courtesy of the
note reflects the popular change Of at
titude toward President wiIson-from
hitter resentment at what was first
termed American 'meddling" to a de-
sire 70 illuminate q somewhat obtuse
but doubtless well-intentioned friend.
Everywhere today confidence was ex-
pressed OF the American peoples ap-
prevail Of the allies position. It was
held they simply couldn't see things
otherwise,
From the standpoint of a neutral,
the big outstanding feature Of the
whole situation seems to be that the
peace ball is still rolling slowly, but Is
destined to gather momentum as the
discussion proceeds. The allies might
have blocked this movement alto
gsther--but instead, they really gave
2 considerable shove by inferentially
inviting Germany to bargain on
peace.
At Turning Point Of War.
AL doubt that the note aptly
epitomizes England's position in the
world war was removed in the chorus
Of public appreciation today. There
was a general disposition to couple
Premier Loyd-George's speech at
Guild Hall yesterday with the note
and this resulted in the oft.reiter
ated belief that the recent allied CON.
ference at Rome really marks the
turning point Of the war.
That conference marked a closer
union of the entente for the unflinch-
ing prosecution Of the war; IL result.
ed In complete and harmonious inter.
change OF ideas on how best to press
that prosecution; Il showed no nation
wavertng in the fir determination
that the allies ideals and aim in the
war were founded on justice and
righteousness.
Weakened In ,TransIation.
The only hint Of criticism of the
note came in q suggestion that, strong
as 1t was, some of its phrases had
lost yestige of visor In the trans
lation into English from the original
French text The French in which
the note was prepared, 1t was held was
even more incisive and bold in its
terms that the translation.
Newspaper editorials expressed
pride in the note, and belief that
America could not fail to be i'm
pressed with the parallel outlined be-
tween the aims of the entente now
and the liberty and freedom for
which America stands.
"Peace which the allies desire" de-
clared the Times, sis founded upon
doctrines OF liberty, justice and in
violable fidelity to international en-
fragments which Americans have al
ways cherished and revered."
Count On U. 8. Approval
Making allowance for neutrality of
thought and the results OF German
propaganda, we do not see how any
American citizen. who is not definite
ly q German partisan, can raise OBJ
lection to the alliess' statement of
their aims in any particular"
1.-THE note embodies just such q
statement as was needed" declared
the Daily News. Whether peace is
yet obtainable on these terms Is for
Germany to indicate. The present
suggests that the time has not yet
come. But at least the allies have
closed no door. Their position is
clear and -unassailable, and we be,
Iieve that nowhere will the justice of
their cause be denied"
The Daily Express holds the note
70 be bold and thoroughly uncom-
promising" There is no hope" the |
editorial continues, "that the enemy
viii accept the terms until they have
received q decisive military defeat
Therefore it IL impossible ut this mo-
nent even to approach negotiations.
The war must go on"