The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-01-07
DR.. HALE TELLS Of
EFFECT OF ALLY NOTE
shocked at Uncouth Phrascology. but
Really Could Not Expect DR.
fcrcnt Tone.
MANNER WORSE THAN NATTER
Study of Entente Expression Indicates
that Door TO Further Negotiations
Has by No Means Been Closed
Demands Compelling Word.
(By WILLIAM BAYARD HALE.)

Berlin, via Sayville. wireless, Jan. 6.
The central powers will make no
reply Ito the note OF the British en-
tente, described here as the 'nein'
of the ten"
While the central allies have every
ton of the more definite terms as
suggested in the original proffer OF
December IL. it is held patible !
with the honor of a great nation to
continue TO invite direct commentator
with a group of powers which in a !
diplomatic note denounces 1t as a
reckless prevaricator and refuses in
tercourse.
Nevertheless It would be premature
to believe that the door of peace has
been closed even for the present.
Shocked Berlin.
It IL true that the first abstract of
the entente note received here, so UNI
statemanlike in its uncouth phrases,
gave Il distinct shock
few hours later. opinion here. as
reflected by my dispatch OF Wednes-
day. was that the manner of the en-
tente note is more aggressive than It's
actual contents.
This second impression was height
ened by a study of the actual tex.
which has now been received here.
The obnoxious impressions remain un-
modified and preclude the posi- oility
Of n direct reply on the part of the
central powers.
Nevertheless the deeper sense of the
note, as read in the actual text, is
O.. u.
gotiations may still in some manner
proceed 1T Is. on The whole. recog-
nized that the first rejoinder of the
opponents must necessarily be expect
ed TO take a character Of an indict-
ment for the origin OF the war and a
disclaimer of any idea TO abandon the
efforts.
Interests Complex.
II is recognized that the complex
interests of the. ten associated pow
ers nece ssitated this pose. The dispo-
sitIon today in the highest quarters is
10 regard the entente note. even with
It's impossible misreprese nations OF
history and its uncouth language as a
necessary dramatic gesture, which
may perhaps be followed by the still
small voice of reason.
Some establishment has been pro-
vided in high quarters by tie news
from America that the United Sites
press is disappointed because the
Teuton note of December IL con-
tanned no more definite terms.
# is inconceivab BILE here that on
lockers should expect either part of
the controversy 70 placard their terms
before their adversaries have evinced
a disposition to listen to such terms
and state their own.
II is felt here that the central pow
ers' enemies know that for them the
announcement Of terms can come only
when the beiiigerents have assembled
to smoke the peace pipe and the TOM
ahawk has been brought in ready for
burial.
Universal Demand
Information sweeping through neu
trail cities from all quarters of the
world impressively coincide, tndeNing
universal popular demand that this
struggle cease
No doubt. England IS feeling the
agonies Of war as never before in all
it's history and is living in daily ap
prehension OF more fatal experiences
II Germany is forced 10 employ the
full possibilities OF her submarine
weapon.
1t is only party politics. cunningly
AAsdtN bt NE&t MOI AIlt4tlkt press Ina
presents the popular English outburst
against the continuation of the war
Under me tyranny Of I dICtatur1frff yts :.
council
France is slowly bleeding &c death, !
nut here also party politics make !
necessary a bold front.
II should he noted that no mention +
either OF the Russian or French inten-
tons and ambitions is contained in
the entente reply which concerns it. /
self mostly with Belgium.
Demands Compelling Word.
The truth is that fateful hour in
human history has arrived. demanding
the utterance OF, a compelling word
from some inspired lips In other
crises great men have been raised
UP to meet the exigent demands of
the hour.
VIII this historic hour pass with
out being seized upon by some NOR
tai whom history waits 10 crown with
imperishable laurels?
This mortal. to whom the finger of
history points. is the man WHO hap
pens at this moment to be the Pres-
dent of the United States To him
both groups OF belligerents could
make preparatory their resolutions. in
tentions, and ambitions,
Nothing IN the declarations thus far
made by the belligerents has shut off
the employment of the friendly Of
fees of a great neutral. Indeed,
many phrases in both notes suggest.
even invite, the services OF a wise
mediator.
While the entente answer to the
central powers peace proffer on its
face is rejection, thoughtful con-
sideration finds abundant evidences Of
the Willingness of both sides to en-
gage in further conversations through
the medium of confidential friend
1t is by short. reluctant steps that
enemies approach each other and os-
tensible reluctance often has been