Arizona republican., 1918-09-16

unfavorably influencing feeling at home and lest they prematurely be- tray their own ultimate intentions, also causes the responsible statesmen themselves to strike a higher tone and stubbornly to adhere to extreme stand points.
 .DeIiver Europe From Catastrophe
 If, therefore, an attempt is made to see whether the basis exists for an un- derstanding, calculated to deliver Flu rope from the catastrophe of the sui cidal continuation of the struggle. then in any case, another method should be chosen which renders possible direct, verbal discussion between the repre- sentatives of the governments and only between them. The opposing concep- tions of individual belligerent states, would likewise have to form the sub feet of such a discussion, for mutual enlightment. as well as the general principles that shall serve as the basis | for peace and the future relations of | the states to one another and regard l ing which. in the first place, an accord can be sought with a prospect of sue | cess.
 1 "As soon as an agreement were reached on the fundamental principles. an attempt would have to be made in the course of the discussions con- cretely to apply them to individual peace questions and thereby bring about their solution.
 i We venture to hope that there will be no objections on the part of any belligerents to such an exchange of views. The war activities would ex- perience. no interruptions. The discus- | o,1x fa, considered by the participants to of fer a prospect of success. No disad- advantages would arise therefrom for the states represented. Far from harm ing such an exchange of views only could be useful to the cause of peace.
 Can Try It Again
 What did not succeed the first time can be repeated, and perhaps it has already at least contributed to the clarificaton of views. Mountains of old misunderstanding might be re- moved and many new things perceived Streams of pent up human kindness would be released, in the warmth of which everything essential would re- main. and, on the other hand. much that is antagonistic, to which excessive importance is still attributed, would disappear.
 According to our conviction, all the belligerents jointly owe to humanity tc examine whether now, after so many years of a costly but undecided strug- gle the entire course of which points to no understanding, it is possible t make an end to the terrible grapple.
 "The royal and imperial government would like. therefore, to propose to the | governments of all the belligerent states to send delegates to a confi- dential and unbinding discussion on the basic principles for the conclusion of peace, in a place in a neutral coun- try and at near date that would yet | have to be agreed upOn,-delegates who were charged to make known tC one another the conception of theil governments regarding those princi- ples and to receive analogous com munications. as well as to request and give frank and candid explanations or all those points which need to be pre- cisely defined.
 "The royal and imperial government has the honor to request the govern ment of------ through the klnC mediation of your excellency, to bring this communication to the knowledge of the government of --. (The names of the Intermediary gov ernment and of that addressed in the particular note dispatched are lei blank)