The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1917-01-05
PEACE WILL BE THEME
DURING THE next YEAR
SUBJECT TO FIND ROOM IN
STATE DEPARTMENT
There Have Been WarfuI Moments in
That Bureau the Past Twelve Months;
Many Issues That Must Be Fought
Out; Mexico Still Is Sore Spot; Out
RACES Against the Americans Il
from Saturdays Daily.
CARL D. GROAI.

CARL D. GROAT.
Washington, December 29.-Peace
promises to be the transcendent
theme of the state department the
coming year, in sharp contrast to the
almost warful moments of some
months last year.
Intermittent peace talk took defin-
lite form in the last weeks of Deem
Der, after Germany had proposed
peace to the allies. From now on, it
will be the enormous subject before
the state department in view of the
fact that this government seems des-
tined to play big part in what ever
peace negotiations are undertaken.
Yet while peace talk passes back
and forth between the chancellories
of Europe and in the granite halls
and mahoganied chambers of the
American state department, other in
ternationaf matters of grave moment
must be settled. These questions,
serious at times almost to the point
of ruptured relations, are direct heir
looms of the war, affect America as
neutral and are destined to have
their standing when international
law is rewritten after the war.
In addition to possible complica-
lions with Mexico, the main issues
of the last year still are pregnant
with difficulties which American di-
plomacy is seeking to smooth out,
at the same time protecting adequate
ly and honorably the rights of Ameri-
ca and Americans.
The Many Issues.
Those issues are:
Submarine problems between
Germany and the United States.
German deportation of Belgians.
English interference with mails.
English blacklisting of Ameri-
can firms with German interests.
English embargoes affecting
America.
Germany's submarine warfare
came to head insofar as the United
States is concerned when this gov
eminent last March gained state
ment that Germany had affected a
change in her submarine methods
and pledged to continue on milder
course.
The Lusitania case hung fire,
though Germany's terms of settle
ment were virtually satisfactory, in
asmuch as this government did not
desire to finally close the matter
while other submarine matters were
pending.
For time, Germany seemed to be
scrupulously following her promises.
In the last four months, however,
there has been feeling that she was
going as far as she could without
provoking new troubles with the
United States In these circumstances.
the state department investigated
during the closing days of the year a
series of sinkings, notably the Mar
ina, Arabia, Chomung, and a dozen
others Evidence indicated Germany
was over stepping at least the spirit
of her pledges, and the United States
proceeded to plan for her next step.
Crises Have Been Numerous.
"Crises" have been numerous. The
state department, however, in accor-
dance with administration principles
has sought to settle matters through
rather than through
break in relations. Indeed, this gov
eminent did threaten to break after
broke her pledges, but since then the
spirit has been to bring Germany up
short, gain a sharp, air tight defin-
ition of her pledges and then insist
upon adherence to them.
Prospects of peace though still un-
some months distant will
affect future dealings with
Germany, and even more strongly
influence the administration idea
of avoiding break with Germany.
Germany's deportation of Belgians
provoked protest from this govern
ment, but her answer gave but little
The administration
plans to watch this situation closely.
German transgressions have in
volved American lives. In these cir
the general view has
been that teh cases required quick,
strong protest.
On the other hand, England's Of
lenses have involved American COM
mercial rights, not lives. These have
been the subject of objections and
but differences are
still extant over England's treat
ment of American mails, her black
llSJ duu uCI SOOo. hS oSeAtS w
partment will continue negotiating
and protesting against infringements
Of United States rights by England,
though none of these cases, the de-
partment holds, involves such seri-
BUSINESS as to call for threat OF
breach in relations.
Mexico is Sore Spot.
Mexico has been sore spot in
diplomacy the past year.
Conditions became such that Amer
lean troops were sent into Mexico.
and militia to the border, following
Villas raid on Columbus. The state
department. found many intricate
problems with Carranza Finally it
brought him up short with a recital
Of outrages against Americans and
heir property, and a definite demand
TO know what he was going to do
hereafter.
The American aim in Mexico is
and peace without
arms. But the problem before the
Mexican American commission is
still grave and enormous. Villa again
is making trouble, though Carranza
in recent months has shown dis
position and some ability to alter
dreadful conditions.
But with all the problems that have
spelt, trouble, the idea of peace the