New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1917-09-29

OuG Vie pIcScHCC OI 1dCtlOL
of German public opinion less
hostile to this country was shown
when their Government ac
quiesced to some degree in our
demands at the time of the Sussex
outrage. and for nearly a year
maintained at least pretehse OF
observing the pledge they had
made to us. The tension was
abated.
Moreover, two other considera-
tions strengthened our Govern.
ment in it's efforts to remain neu-
tral in this war. The first was
our traditional sense Of response
bility toward all the republic of
the New World. They, too, pre-
ferred the ways Of peace.
The second consideration was
the hope that by preserving un-
troubled here the holy ideals of
civilized intercourse between ma
tions. we might be free at the end
of this war to be the restorers
and rebuilders of the wrecked
structure Of the world.
All these motives held us back
but we soon had reason to be-
lieve that the recent compliance
of the German Government was
only temporary, and by the end
of 1916 it was plain that our
neutral status had again been
made unsafe through the ever-in-
creasing aggressiveness of the
German autocracy.
Fearing we might be drawn
into the war if it did not soon
come to an end, the President be-
gan the preparation of his note,
asking the belligerent powers to
define their war aims. But Le-
fore he had completed it TIE
world was surprised by the peace
move of the German Government
"a note sent through neutral
powers on December 12, 1916, to
the Governments Of the Allies
proposing negotiations for peace.
While expressing the wish to
end this war, the greater portion
Of the note was couched in terms
that gave small hope of lasting
peace.
Boosting of German con,luests,
the note implanted in neutral
minds the belief that it was the
purpose Of the Imperial German
Government to insist upon snch
conditions .as would leave al
Central Europe under German
dominance.
Moreover, the German proposal
was accompanied by thinly
yelled threat to all neutral ma
tions.
The Kaiser ordered the neu-
trails to exert pressure OF the En-
tente to bring the war to an alb
rupt end, or to beware of the
consequences.
On the 18th Of December the
President dispatched his note to
all the belligerent powers. asking
them to define their war aims.
There was still hope in our minds
that the menace of future Ger
man aggression and dominance
might be removed, by finding al
guaranty of good faith in league
If nations.
From this point, events moved
'apidly. The powers of the En-
;ente replied to the German peace
lote. Neutral nations took ac-
ion on the note of the President,
md from both belligerents replies
o this note were soon in our
lands.
AHC OCI Ihdu iCply Wdo C'doiNC.
iefusing to state to the world
heir terms. Germany and her al
les merely proposed confer
nee. They adjourned all dis
ussion Of any plan for a league
f peace until after hostilities
hould end.
The response of the Ententel
'owers was frank. Our grea1
oncern in Europe was the last
lg restoration of peace, and it
ras clear that this was also the
hief interest of the Entente ma
ons.
The aims Of the belligerents
ere now becoming clear. From :
he outbreak of hostilities the
erman Government had claimed
lat it was fighting war Of de-
snse But the tone of its recent !
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