Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1917-01-24
By Carl w. Alderman.

Omitted Press staff correspondent
Berlin, Jan. 24.--President Wilson e
senate speech was telegraphed to the
kaiser and Field Marshal Won linden
burg at the front today. Ambassador
Gerard conferred for 40 minutes with
Foreign Secretary Zimmerman last
night and later cabled the, state depart
metn at Washington a confidential out
line Of the German foreign office inn
preston of the statement.
Meanwhile, the president : sentiments
are fully echoed publicly and Officially
in Germany. They are viewed with in.
terest and favor Whether Germany can
take official eognizance of the declara-
tions is not yet clear
It is pointed out by men in respons-
ible official positions that the Ameri-
can president s declarations are a step
toward the peace for which the people
Of the world long. Informal discussion
by foreign office officials, however, de-
veloped the belief that Germany cannot
take official cognizance Of the address.
This belief is based on the following
premises:
First-Because the allies reply to
President Wilson has never been of
ficially received by Germany.
Second-It is believed that Germany
cannot maize further efforts toward
peace nfter the insulting reply to her
own peace suggestions made by the al
lies.
Third-Beeause officials desire to
wait senate debate ON the president Is
address, feeling that q statement from
Germany = even one discussing peace
terms-would be an interference in Am
erican affairs.
Fourth - Germany does not consider
the time opportune to state her terms,
though being willing to discuss the
speech itself.
Men in responsible positions did not
hesitate today to express their satisfac-
tion over the presidents argument for
=" freedom of the seas" From the first
Germany has insisted this was the big
gest question involved. These same
Officials pointed out that Germany
showed she favored an independent Po-
land-another point on which the presi-
dent laid stress-by her proclamation
Of November
Except for small conservative group
among the socialists, all of President
Wilson 3 ideas found ready support to-
day 1t was believed Ambassador Ger
ard found the foreign Offices impress
sion likewise favorable.
| But if Germany views the president IS
speech as distinct step toward peace,
she is not stopping gigantic prepara-
| tions for war. The evidence grows
daily that the nation is straining every
ounce Of economic and physical energy
for the expected final engagements be.
tween England and Germany which will
decide and end the conflict.
/ As an evidence of power the govern
ment and the people are forging togeth-
! er on every front to make the final
battle count in Germany's 5 favor, is the
successful voluntary enlistment of old
and young men and women for 'fhome
/ war service" The same spirit is ex-
I hibted in today's press notice that
hereafter no unnecessary freight viii be
moved by the railroads, that shippers
must first obtain permission from an
officer Of the war service depart
ment.
| All private interests are now being
submerged to the state : interest--and
] that is now centered upon winning Of
the war.
From marine circles one obtains the
impression that in the final engagement
between England and Germany the sea
forces, in an unexpected manner, will
play an important role. Tn the decisive
action which all expect, everyone is con
fideHt Germany viii win.
The positions of neutrals may un-
avoidably become worse in this situa-
tion to come. An officer who has just
visited neutral nations in an effort to