Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-01-19
LEAGUE To ENFORCE
PEACE SEEN IN NOTE
Of ENTENTE TO us.
American Officials Feel Much
Encouragement After Perus-
ing Document From British
Foreign Minister

WASHINGTON Jan. 1S.-Great Brit
aims supplementary nOte simplifying the
entente reply to President Wilson's
peace note has given much encourage
ment o American. officials who are look
ing forward TO some sort of league of
nations TO preserve peace.
Although the principal portions in
Foreign Minister Balfour's note, del
lIvereG 10 the state department yester-
day. are designed to justify the severi-
~ OF the terms set forth by the entente
in their reply to the note of President
Wilson, the formal acceptance in prin-
ciple of some sort of national Sanction
of force behind treaties and interna-
tiona Ian. is regarded of great impor-
lance.
1t has teen stated officially that
President Wilson's next step has not
been determined upon. Many officials
believe the terms of the British note
may afford the opportunity for a move
toward the establishment of some such
national sanction, even if it be with the
view of having it come into force after
the close OF the war.
Officials are watching carefully for
pubic expressions abroad on the sub
jet. Any steps will of necessity be
most carefully chosen, and while it is
admitted that the perfection of any such
arrangements may be we'll in the fu-
ture, the references of Minister Bal
tours note are regarded as encouraging
Those who think the future peace of
the world may be insured by interna-
tional treaties and international laws.
the note says. have ill-learned the les
sons taughts by recent history. After
charging that German influence in Tur-
key had resulted in conditions as bar
barous and more aggressive than were
known under Sultan Abdul Hamid, and
that it had been shoYn Germany can
not be expected to respect treaty obli-
cations. Mr.. Balfour says:
so long as Germany remains the
Germany which without a shadow of
ll-treated a country it was pledged to
defend,.no state can regard its rights
as secure if they have no better protec-
ton than a solemn treaty"
REIGN Of TERROR"
Asserting that Belgium was not Ger
many's only victim, and that ''neutrals
were intended to note outrages which
accompanied it's conquest" the note re-
cites the reign of terror" attendant
upon Germany's method of warfare, and
in that connection says:
''The war staffs of the central pow
ers are we'll content to horrify the world
it."
The people of Great Britain, Mr.. Bal
four says, share President wilson's de-
sire for peace, but do not believe il can
be durable unless based on the success
of the allied cause. Such a peace, 1t
is regarded, cannot be expected unless
these three conditions are fulfilled. Elk
listing causes of international unrest
shall be as far as possible removed or
weakened: the aggressive aims and the
INSCRIPTIONS methods of" the central
powers should fall into disrepute among
their own peoples; and, finally. that
behind international law and behind all
treaty arrangements for preventing or
limiting hostilities some forms of in
ternational sanction should be devised
which would give pause to the hardest
aggressor.
1t is recognized that these conditions
may be difficult of fulfillment, but the
belief is expressed that they are IN
general harmony with President Will
sons ideas. The note declares conf
dence that so far as Europe is concern
ed, none of the conditions can be sat
isfied, even imperfectly, unless peace
is secured on the general lines indicated
by the allies joint note.