Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1917-01-16
PEACE IMPOSSIBLE
ALLIES TELL WILSON
DETERMINED TO ACT WITH ALL
vIGOR TO WIN CONFLICT FOR
THEIR OWN SAFETY.
THEIR OBJECTS ARE OUTLINED
Must Restore Small Nations, Grant
Indcmnities-Oust the Turks
No Desire to Crush Germans
-BeIgians' Reply.

Washington.-The entente allies, re-
plying recently to President Wilson's
peace note, in a joint communication
express the belief that 1t is impos-
sible at present to attain peace that
Will assure them reparation, resti-
tuition, and such guarantees as they
consider are essential.
In a separte note the Belgian gov
eminent expresses its desire for peace
but declares it could only accept
settlement which would assure it rep
aration and security in the future.
Both of the communications are da-
ted January 10.
Note Praises Sentiment.
The translation of the French text
of the entente note as cabled by Am
bassador Sharp, at Paris. follows.
"The allied governments have re-
ceived the note which was delivered
to them in the naem of the govern
ment of the United States on the 18th
of December, 1916. They have stud
led it with the care imposed upon
them both by the exact realization
which they have of the gravity of
the hour and by the sincere friend
ship which attaches them to the
American people.
I'm general they wish to declare
that they pay tribute to the eleva-
ton 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 league of nations to in
sure peace and justice throughout the
world. They recognize all the ad-
vantages for the cause of humanity
and civilization of international agree
meme, destined to avoid violent con.
flicts between nations, would pre-
vent; agreements which must imply
their execution and thus to prevent
an apparent security from only ia
cilitating new aggressions.
Must Settle Actual Confist First
But a discussion of future arrange
ments destined to insure an enudr
ing pease presupposes a satisfactory
settlement of the actual conflict. The
allies have as profound a desire as
the government of the United States
to terminate s soon as possible a
war for which the central empires
are responsible, and which inflicts
such cruel sufferings upon humanity
But they believe that it is impossible
at the present moment to attain a
peace which will assure them repara
ton, restitution, and such guarantees
to which they are entitled by the
aggression for which the responsible
ity rests with the central powers anc
of which principle itself tended tC
ruin the security of Europe; a peace
which would, on the other hand, per
NIT the establishment of the future
of European nations on solid ba
sis. The allied nations are conscious
that they are not fighting for selfish
interests, btu above all to safeguard
the independence of peoples, of right
and of humanity.
"The allies are fully aware of the
losses and suffering which the wal
causes to neutrals as well as to bel
ligerents, and they deplore them; bu
they do not hold themselves respon
sible for them, having in no way
either willed or provoked this war
and they strive to reduce these dam
ages in the measure compatible will
the inexorible exigencies of their de
lenses against the violence and tn,
wiles of the enemy.
Glad Appeal Is independent.
ut is with satisfaction, therefore
that they take note of the declara
ton that the American communica
tion is in no wise associated in it
origin with that of the central pow
ers transmitted on the 18th of De
cember by the government of thu
United States. They did not doubt
moreover, the resolution of that gov
eminent to avoid even the appearance
of a support. even moral, of the au
thors responsible for the war.
"The allied governments believ'
they must protest in the most friend
ly, but in the most specific name
against the assimilation established
in the American note between thu