Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1917-01-02
PEACE MOVES TO
REST WITH NOTE
SENT BY WILSON
Belligerents See Hope That
Entente Allies May Not
Yet Close Door on
Discussion. a
BRITISH VIEW S%S,N.fUL
- .NN
Press Expire Ssh That
Next NJ - More
Carefully Drafted.
HOW GERMANS TAKE 1T

W toh' yoii' t"N 'NP'J -
the entente allies to Germany's peace
proposals had not been forwarded to-
day, and the indications were that it
would not be sent on before tomor-
row at the earliest.
There is no intention to delay it be-
yond the time necessary to make GER
tain that complete and accurate
copy is being forwarded to all the
central belljgerents,
The hope that the entente reply to
the German proposals had not closed
the door on further negotiations was
undilnished, but the German en-
bassy's attitude that they had been
made doubtful by the reply was re-
Rected generally. The hope for prog
ress toward peace negotiations now
has turned to the replies to President
Wilson's note.
No Second Note to Neutrals.
The American government. it was
made known here today sent no sec
ond note to neutrals subsequent to
the dispatch of President Wilson's
peace note, but American diplomats
at neutral capitals were instructed
that in transmitting the peace note
they should convey suggestion that
if the neutral governments thought it
wise to take action on peace the
United States considered the time op-
perfume.
1t was stated definitely that no
other government knew the United
States was contemplating action. that
no other government was asked to ap-
prove its action before it was taken,
that the American government acted
entirely on its own initiative. and that
no attempt was made to act in con-
cert with any other nations.
While the form of the instructions
to the American diplomats transmit
ting the American note to neutrals
was not disclosed, it was learned that
the president considered the instruc-
tions immaterial.
What Might Have Happened.
1t is said to be possible that some, ,
American representatives may have
made it appear as though the United
States was directly urging the coop
Grafton of other neutrals. This idea
was based on the note from Spain to
the United States in which mention
was made of second communication
Spain's suggestion for an entente
of neutral nations to define rights of
neutrals was not commented on today
by officials.
Delivery of the American note to
neutrals is not construed by admins
tration officials as an effort to invite
their cooperation. In discussing the
question today officials made clear
that there was no such intention on
the part Of the president. The United
States, it was said, will continue to
act on its own initiative.
1t was reiterated again today that
as well as being move for peace, the
presidents note was also intended to
point out that the position Of the neu-
trails was becoming intolerable.
Berlin Regrets Tone of Reply.
Berlin, Jan. 1.-(By Wireless to
Sayville. 1.-THE text of the entente
note replying to the peace offer of
the central powers" says the semi
official Overseas News Agency,
reached Berlin as transmitted from
Paris by the Havas News Agency.
The general impression here is-if |
this version is correct--that the en-
tente answer to the sincere German
offer, while verbose, nevertheless is a
fiat refusal to end the war. This is !
especially regretted for the sake OF
the neutral countries suffering from
the consequence of the war.
'1t is pointed out as especially re-
markable that the entente note men
tions the right of nationalites, al
though one of the avowed war pur-
poses Of the entente is the conquect |
of Constantinople and the Straits"
Reply to Wilson Next.
London, Jan. 1.-The hope is ex-
pressed by the Manchester Guardian
that the forthcoming note of the en-
tente to President Wilson will be |
written by different hand and in
different spirit than the reply of the
allies to Germany
Several things must be remem-
bered in extenuation of the poor quail
ity and poorer expression OF the al
lies reply to Germany" says the
Guardian. Obviously it is not a good !
translation from the French. More
over, the French original clearly is
not the French of Frenchman. We !
should say it is a French rendering
of a Russian original, passed with
out sensible modification in Paris and |
finally badly done into English in
London.
Aside from these blemishes, in
substance the reply was very much |
what was expected and inevitable. |
We venture to think nothing was
added to its form by the verbal em-
bellishments with which it was en-
larged and weakened These emo
tional appeals continue throughout
the note until the postscript, which |
is strong, clear, logical, Convincing
and obviously by a different hand,
dealing specially with Belgium.
Let Balfour Write Note.
Nevertheless we see no reason
why. if Germany is willing publicly |
to state what it is prepared to Of
fer. we should not follow with state
mcnt of what we demand. The next
exchange OF views will be between
the allies and President Wilson. This
is a different and in many respects
Continued on Page Two. Column Two.)