The sun., 1918-01-27
BRITISH LOOK TO
PRESIDENT AS
PEACE LEADER
L. S. Initiative Regarded as
Fixed by Hertling and
Czernin Speeches.
SOME MfSGIvING IS FELT
1t Concerns Wilson's View
on Freedom OF Seas-Har-
mony Is Sought.


topyrioh. 1915: ali t,Sh's reser,sG
Of the Entente Powers IN the matter of
peace prelimiuariss Is accepted here as
practically forced b. the most recent
Developments OF the situation. From
w.dc variety OF interpretations of tn.
'peeches Of Count Won IIert!lng. the
German IMPERIAL Chancellor. and Count
'':-rnin. the Austrian Foreign Minister,
hy British public men IL is clear thai
F-'tisa opinion expects President Wilson
will become a larger heure III the inter-
national situation than he has ever been.
II would not be fair to say that this
78u.scs unalloyed satisfaction in Great
Britain. because vague misgivings have
tcen entertained here regarding Pres-
dent Wilson's attitude regarding the
freedom Of the seas. Ever since the
Presidents address TO Congress his
statement on this point has been SUBJ
jccted to analyses. commonly concluding
With the expression of hope that a
full development OF the American view
would reassure Great Britain and
demonstrate that there ~ no serious
divergence In the British and American
attitudes.
Lloyd George Evades.
When Premier Lloyd George met the
labor delegation few days ago he was
asked his opinion OF Presiden: Wilson's
statement on this point, but he .evaded
the question. indicating that he felt the
, need Of further investigation and COM
par!son OF the American arH British
viewpoints.
II has become apparent that there Is
considerable nervousness among the
British authorities lest the American
view should fai. to harmonise with what
the British nation regards as its vital
maritime interests. although tho ex-
preston OF these misgivings Is always
carefully ve!led and the reservation In
Invariably made that 1t y impossible
that the two countries should divide on
such interests.
The suggestion ir frequently advanced
:hat the essential interests Of the two
countries erc really identical and will be
80 recognized when the whole subject
Is faily examined. 1t cannot be doubted.
however, that 0reAt Britain would b
: Intensely rratihsd TO receive direct and
unluestionable assurance OF the sub
s;antia! American acceptance Of the Brit
n 4Ss Ss'fass ss,sssSsss; 81 s n sSsRrs6s,
! Americas expanded maritime and com
nerc!al interests after the tar with the
responsibilities OF the United States II,
the matter Of the Monroe Doctrine
Panama and the Philippines will insure
the essential identity Of the attitude OF
the TWO countries.
Undoubtedly the British lack of intor.
nation regarding the maritime policy OF
America is chiefly responsible for the
mssivirgs. The diplomacy OF tho Cen
fr1 mi a
the possible chance Of a great division
and has seized the opportunity OF cult.
waiting i diligently.
Wants American Leadership.
Berlin plainly desires American rather
than British leadership Of the Entente
Powers in connection with peace cons.d
erations because OF President Wilson.
expressions regarding ar economic Wal
after the war and also rega riding tn,
freedom OF the seas. Rightly or wrongly
Berlin and Vienna are plainly convincet
OF the possibilities Of sharp difference,
between England and America on thes,
points and are anxious to drive in 1
wedge to create and widen breach. o.
this point a representative OF the British
Foreign once said 10 the correspondent
Of THE SUN:
Nobody who is familiar with tn
present attitudes OF the British an,
American Governments and the essentia
uniformity Of their traditions of mari
time Jurisprudence is able to suspec
that a disagreement will arise. but tn
Germans. from the beginning of tn
} war, have attempted to create differ
ences of opirion. which while Americ
was neutral was not difficult.
Indeed many sharp criticisms O
; British naval policy were published Il
) America In that period. causing Grea
Britain real concern. but America Is nov
bclligerent and the identity Of her In
terests and ours both now and hereafte
is obvious Tae Austro-German effort
to separate England and America. an
likewise Count Czernin's veiled oveS
, lures toward peace, merely illustrate tn
utter inadequacy OF tho German Gov
ernments information regarding foreig
affairs. Apparently their intellksenc
department has broken down completed,
leaving the Foreign ONCE incapable o
: realizing the truth about conditions an
opinions in the outside world"
Response Lies with Wilsos.
II Is stated that the War Cabinet ha
: rot considered the question Of answerin
the Austro- German uttera noes, but It