Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 19??-1918, 1917-01-24
|FAE EMPEROR GETS =
Mr.. WILSON'S SPEECH

Sou ScHote cpcVVu Woo tVtVet"PhNN
TO the emperor and Field Marshal
Won Hindcalhurg at the front today.
Ambassador Gerard conferred for
forty minutes with Foreign secre-
tary Zimmerman last night and later
cabled the state department Vt Wash
ington confidential outline OF the
German foreign ONCE impression OF
the statement,
Meanwhile the PRESIDENTS senti-
ments are fully echoed publicly and
officially In Germany. They are
viewed with interest and favor.
whether Germany can take ,oiiiciai
cogaiEance OF the declarations Is not
yet clear,
II IL pointed out by men In rcspons-
ible positions that the presidents dec
larations are u step toward the peace
for which the people OF the world
long. Informal discussion by foreign
officials. however. developed the be-
lief that Germany cannot take oii,cal
cognizance Of the address. This be-
lief Is based on the following prem
lses:
First Because the allies reply to
President Wilson never has been Of
flcially received by Grmany.
Second Because II IL believed that
Germany cannot make further moves
toward peace after the insulting re-
ply to her own peace suggestions.
made by the allies,
Third--Becaus officials desire 10
await action by the United States SEN
ate, as coordinate branch OF the
United States government.
Probationary does not consid-
or the time opportune to state her
terms. though being willing to dis.
ouss the speech itself
Men In responsible positions did
not hesitate today to express their
satisfaction over the presidents ar
gument for freedom OF the seas"
From the hrst Germany has In
sisted this was the biggest question
involved. These same officials point
ed out that Germany showed she fav-
ored an independent Poland--an-
other point on which the president
laid stress---by her proclamation Of
November.
Except for n small conservative
group among the socialists. all OF
President Wilson's ideas found ready
support today. II was believed Am
bassador Gerard found the foreign
Offices impression likewise favorable,
But II Germany views the presi-
dents speech as a distinct step to-
ward peace. she is not stopping ~
gantic preparations for war. The evil
dence grows daily that the nation Is
straining every ounce OF economic
and physical energy for the expected
final engagements between England
and Grmany which will decide and
end the conflict.
As an evidence OF how the govern
ment and the people are forging to-
sether on every front to make the
final battle count In Germany's favor
IL the successful voluntary enlistmen,
OF the old and young men and
women for home war service" The
same spirit In exhibited In today's
press notice that hereafter no un-
necessary freight will be moved by
the railroads. that shippers must hrsi
OBTAIN permission from an officer oi
the war service department.
All private interests are now being
submerged to the states interest
and that Is now centered upon win
ming OF the war.
From marine circles one obtains
the impression that in the final en-
gagement between England and Ger
many. the sea forces In an unexpected
manner will play an important role
In the decisive action which all ex
pect everyone Is confident German,
will win.
The position OF neutrals may I'M
avoidably become worse In thfs sit
uation to come. AnpfIicer who hal
Just visited neutral natlons in an ef
fort to obtain their impressions. re
turned here with the conviction thai
neutrals want the war to end. NJ
matter who wins.
The magnitude OF the prepara
tions being made for the great en-
gagement" since the beginning OF thu
war, Is evidenced also by unofficial re
ports from the front, as well as b,
rumors that spread from lip to ~
In German homes.