FRIENDLY PEACE INTERVENTION OF AMERICA

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2959, 23 December 1916, Page 9

FRIENDLY PEACE INTERVENTION OF AMERICA

■ - PRESIDENT WILSON'S NOTE ALL MANKIND HAS AN INTENSE AND/INCREASING ■ LONGING FOR PEACE (By Telegraph—P;:ess Association— Copyright), . - ' T - New York, December.2o.- ■ . The' American Note which has been' sent. to the' belligerent Powers and:; aeutral nations is signed by Mr. Lansing, who, says:—The President has •instructed'me to suggest a course of action regarding : the war. which he.hopes pour- Government will consider as suggested-in the friendliest spirit, coming i lot only from a friend, but : also f;om a'(representative of .a neutral pilose in-;erests-afe seriously affected by the warj $rid wkose.coiiccrn for. its early conilusion arises' from the manifest necessii;y,toV.determine. how best to safeguard- ■ SeseTinterests,' .The President lias'long' had tlifcsuggestionjn mihd I .but we.: offer- ;.becqjjije .it, ji'ijy seem io'Aavebeen prompted ;by ;the"icce'nt ''.pyertures-'Vfroni| the ' Central ,■ Wers.. Itli's"not suggestrf'.by; therii Pre'sidenT^ .ion of: peace Way best-be considered.in' connection 1 with - other ''proposals ('hich .have the same view: - The Presi dent hugs that the' suggestion "be coiildered entirely ,on its merits. • The President 'suggests, that an early. occaion should be sought to ask the belligerents their views on the terms of icac'e,'and their opinions as to an- arrangement by which a. satisfactory-guar-intee c;in be arrived at against the Te n ewal-or kindling-of , any ■ similar, con-; : lict in future. « This can be made pos s ft] 0 by. frankly comparing views. The ' 'resident -is , indifferent regarding the - means taken to accomplish this. He nil :be; happy to serve, and even take the initiative, in .any way . acceptable, le calls attention to the fact that th e objects which the belligerent statesnen on both sides,have in mindarevi r tually the same, as they have stated rt. general terms. Each :side desires t 0 se cure the rights and privileges of ;eak peoples and small. States against aggression, and also to secure the ights and privileges^of;.tlie great belligerents. ' < \ " Each would be'jealous at'the formation" of anymore riyal leagues to' pre-, erve the uncertain balance of'power a midst the multiplying suspicions, but is qady to-consider a League of' Nations. 'Before a final step cari.be taken each leems it. necessary to settle the issue of war on terms ■which will safeguar.il, he independence of ,territorial integrity,- and the. political and commercial.; reedoiri of the nations- involved. The •'United States'is vitally and. directly ~ ntetested'in the measures;to M 'secure future.peace';!also in the means to . je'adootecl to relieve thc'/smaller an j weaker peoples of the peril' of wroni»*• ,nd violence.' The States is ready and eager to co-operate, with ■ ivery-influence and resource.at her comtn'and, 1 but the warmust first b'e v concluded. The terms, upon which it sh ml l<l lie'concluded-the-United States'is;" ' lot at liberty to suggest, but'the President, feels it his right ' and' duty to >oint out his interests in.the conclusion of the war, .-.lest*it.'be- too late tov iccomplish the.great things lying .befo TO its conclusion ; Jest the situation of leutrals becomes intolerable; lest, above all, an iujury be "caused-to civilisation, irhich can never; be atoned.' The President therefore -feels.-justified, in sue;estin'g- an immediate opportunity for j'of views regarding" the . .erms-which'- must precede the- peace If .the':,contest'must con- . inue".'towards" undefined ends. by' until one/group is.exhaust-'.;, :d;: if millions .of;human .lives-mnst-cdiitiiitie' 'to be "ofEercrl' until, brie 'side';hSs ,'' io more-to offer, if resentment- must'be .kindle'd' : which' will-, never Jcool-,. : the " topes for peac&.will be rendered vain'and idlej'-and'the'life of th e "entire" world - irofoundly affected. .- , '• V- ■" • " ; • '•No-nation stands outside its influence-, or theyond-.its disturbing effects,;, ;el'tlie. coric.rete. objects for .which the«war-is being waged have .never- -been lefinitely stated. The belligerents'; leaders have statedl'tlie objccts in general, erms .but have never avowed the precise : objects .which would, satisfy'them. ;; lie'world lias been left to conjecture wliat' definite results "'arc.'sought,, what . •narantees, ,wliat- territorial "changes or readjustments, and'what stage of iilitary success will bring the war to an end. : It may be that peace is • iea,r"er than we know, that'the terms aro not so irreconcilable as sonic have e'ared,'and that an interfcliange of views would'clear the war for a'confer•hce. ' The President is not proposing peace.- nor even offering mediation; 10 is merely proposing that' soundings-he taken in r.rder to' ascertain - how lear is the haven of peace, for which all mankind has an intense, arid in-Teasing-longing. He believes the.spirit in which lie speaks, and ..the .objects vliich he seeks are understood by all concerned, arid ho confidently hones for i response which will bring a new light into the world's affairs, and which will insure the -world's peace and justice. Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. . PRESIDENT WILSON'S CABLED MESSAGE TO BELLIGERENT ' t AND NEUTRAL. ,•: ' •' ' ' - . , t ... -•' (Rec. December 22, 6.10 p.m.) . . . •' - Washington,-December, 21;' president Wilson has cabled to-all belligerents and neutrals suggesting that' Bio opportunity was propitious, for a'comparison 'of'the views .of belligerents regarding terms which must precede the conclusion of ultimate peace,. He emphasises the point that he does not propose peace, riot,e.ven media-, tion,'merely the taking of soundings.— Renter. SITUATION INTOLERABLE AND CANNOT- CONTINUE LONG. ' . Washington, December 21. Mr.-Lansing oxplains the.Peace Note as-being preliminary to the United States asserting itself against all belligerents which invaded its right's.' It is not unlikelji'that the "United States is drawing near the verge of war.— Aus.-N.Z. Gible Assn. ~ • \ , . • , New York, December 21. • Mr. Lansing explains that President Wilson's -Note was issued because American, rights were being invaded. The situation is intolerable, ,and cannot continue long. '-.. America is on tho verge of war, and,therefore is entitled.to know what the'belligerents seek, for the purposo of regulating America's fii-, ture conduct.-^—i.us.-N.Z. Cable Assn. \ Washington, December 21. Mr. Larising later explained that the United States has no intention of departing from neutrality .at any tim ' • ' MR'.. LANSING ISSUES A. SUPPLEMENTARY STATEMENT. . " ' \ (Rec. December .22, 6.10 p.m.) • > 1 Washington, December 21-. " There was much confusion in official circles over tho' interpretation of the reasons of President Wilson's. Note.- After Mi\ Lansing issued to-day's explanation ho conferred with the President, and Mr. Lansing then issued a supplementary statement,-.in which he said: "I had not intended to'intimate that the Government was considering a change pf policy in neutrality, which has .been consistently pursued, and regret my words were open to any other "—A lie 7. Cable Assn.-' :.

■ AMERICA'S, FEAR OF A CLASH WITH GERMANY ' ,(R«c. December 23,1.30 a.m.) •! New York, December 21. The that there is a mysterious meaning underlying Mr. Lionsing's statement, which is generally interpreted as fear that.-a clash with Germany was near. . ' ■ " the "New York Tribune" says: "Mr. Lansijig has wholly transformed the character of the' President's action. If wo, are oil the verge -uf-. war who threatens us ? Did the Presidgnt ask for a statement of the terms in order to decide.which alliance he will join? The President cannot now refuse .to explain." The "New York World'-' says: "Despite the explanations of-Miv Lansing, the-statement was no idle warning.!' The "New York Herald" says: "Mr. Lansing's statement ,j g a direct and unmistakable warning to Germany ag ainsfc the massacro of Americans at sen." —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn..- • BRITISH EMBASSY TAKEN BY SURPRISE. Washington, December 21. • Embassy officials were'utterly surprised' by" President -Wilson's Note., ' '■ They 'emphatically stato that there have .been no exchanges whatever through the- Embassy as .a preliminary .—Renter. " : PRESIDENT WILSON HAS WON ENDURING FAME. Washington) December-21. ■■ " Surprise and a profound sensation were caused, by President ' Wilson's Notes. ' It is pointed out that they were prepared prior to Mr. Lloyd Seorge's-speeclu.. .. , • • The German-American papers'are delighted, and say that President Wilson, has won ensuring, farae. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ....... C . • ; ' HOW THE PRESIDENT'S HAND WAS FORCED (Rec. December 22, 11.30 p.m.), Washington, December 22. Officials close Lansing' and the President unanimously claim that L clash between America, and Germany was inevitable after the New Year, when the Kaiser's new submarine fleet-would be ready. This was one of the', chief ■ reasons which'forced President's hand.—Reuter. ; 'N . RESOLUTION SUBMITTED TO AMERICAN SENATE. . • . (Rec. December 22, 9.35 p.m.) '•*>. ' Washington, December 22. ' A resolution strongly endorsing President Wilson's Note has been intro-. duced in the .Senate by Senator Hitchcock, and sent to the Foreign Relations Committee, because several Senators objected that they had had -insufficient time to digest the Note. —Jl cuter. .. COMMENTS OF AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS. ' / New York, December 21. . The "New York Times" does not think the Noto will do .harm. It disagrees with President Wilson that the objects of all the belligerents are- the same.' "fortunately, Mr.- Wilson does not offer mediation. ! ' - The "Herald" says the President's .action will bo construed-as-in direct - relation'to Berlin's cry for peace. If'the suspicion is : not warranted, the coincidence is striking. v ' V ' i ' . \ : . The. "New York World" says the Tequest is certainly without ulterior or selfish motive, and thereforo cannot be ignored.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. The "Herald" says that Count Bernstorff's joy over President Wilson's Note is unconcealed. . Apparently this is tho Christmas present the Kaiser has been promising his-soldiers: but will the joy last? Obviously it will be fop Berlin to speak first, • an cfrf Berlin expects peace it must speak in terms that' will -strip Prussianism of, its pose of victory. -The "New York' World" declares that the President represents the sentiment of the vast majority of "the American people.—Renter. / . . - ' Vancouver, December 21. • : The "New York Tribune" calls the President's plan a mistake, and adds: "The nation that did not protest-when Belgium was invaded-becomes known to-day, and'henceforth,, as the-purveyor of German peace and a profit-mak-ing manoeuvre."—Reuter. STRONG ADVERSE COMMENTS OF BRITISH PRESS (Rec. December 22, 9.3 a p.m.) London; December 21. . "The Times" says Wilson's conduct is inexplicable, because the .whole, line of. argument in. the Note contravenes the elementary facts of the. origin of the war. President Wilson has placed America in . an ambiguous position by building his intervention on the" selfish interests of - America. The Note is resented as a pro-German "manoeuvre,. and an attempt .to obtain notoriety by putting forward proposals for a conference which' even Germany had not ventured'to make."—"The .Times.",. . : v .r-i (Rec.;. December 22, 9.35 p.m.)' ;; s, if-*'-'\ . : London,- December' 21. ■:.TheV.''i)aiiy Mail" says:—"President'Wilson's-:Note -- has ' "caused the. , greatpst':;astonishments -.it was evidently\ prepared - before' 'Mr.. - ;Lloyd George's-speech,, and/was, therefore, answered before delivery. 1 -The Allies' peace terms arc.known to all. . Mr. Lloyd George made them uninistEikably clear." ■ - " ... ■■ ■ • ' ■' ' Tho same paper says' the . Note reached the American-Embassv m London in cipher 'on - Tuesday night, and was being decoded while Sir. Lloyd George was proclaiming Britain's terms in tho House/fef Commons. —Aus.N.Z. Cable .Assn. - 'v'-: AMERICA MUST FIGHT OR STAND ASIDE (Rec. December 22, 11.30 p.m.), London, December 22. . The "Morning Post" says: "America is a long way from the war centre, but the President's detachment passes belief. • It is strange that' America still professes ignorance that Germany is fighting for the. domination'of the world and intended to'force term's on Russia, reduce France to the position of a vassal, - and then strike at isolated England. Does President Wilson sup- . pose that the Monroe Doctrine or the American ; Navy would then have been sufficient to' protect North and South_ .America? ' If President Wilson desires to end the war now lie must range himself on the side'of tho Allies and help defeat Germany or side: with Germany against the Allies.-' If he is unprepared to fight he must stmcT aside arid allow the war to he fought to an issue."— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. , . . '' ' - AN ILL-TIMED ATTEMPT AT INTERFERENCE .(Rec. December 22, 9.35 p.m.) . ' '". _■■■ -London, December 21. ■■■-President' Wilson's iNofe caused a- sensation in; London, the _ general... Spmion.; being-wholly unfavourable regarding the ilUtimed.attempt at interfer- ; 9nce after! Mr;-'-Lloyd-George's decided refusal to .'entertain- : Germany's.- over-" lores.™ - - : .v:''-' '• • •-■'•'•7 CANADIAN. NEWSPAPERS RESENT THE AMERICAN NOTE; (Rec. December 22,' 6.10 p.m.) Ottawa, December' 21.' ' The newspapers strongly resent ■the American: Note as possibly assisting Germany',s peace move. —AiiS;-N.Z. Cable Assn; . : ■ • . BRITISH- CENSOR SUPPRESSES THE'. . AMERICAN NOTE. ' New York, December 21. ' Private advices from London state that the British Censor suppressed President Wilson's* Peace Note. There is intense indignation in Britain at President Wilsons action.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ■ ' v ' /. / SENSATIONAL SCENES IN WALL STREET. - - (Rec. December 22, 6.10 p.m.) ... New York, December 21. ' There we're sensational scenes in Wall Street, with big declines, particularly in "war babies," due to the President's Note. Over three millions was. the'turnover, tho second largest record. Many investors lost fortunes.— Aus.-N.Z."Cable' Assn. . ' .. ' - /CONTINUATION OF THE WAR ' INEVITABLE... i Amsterdam, December 21. The • "Berlin Tageblatt" says that Mr. Lloyd George makes an' unbridg-. able chasm. ■ ' : . / "■ ' ■ ' The' "Vossische Zeitniig" says:—lt is fortunate that Germany possesses , a militarism-which will withstand the Entente's ambition to reach a world-goal. The "Fremdenblatt"' (Vienna) says that-Mr. Lloyd George's speech made the continuation of the war .inevitable.—Reuter. . . If WOULD BE TREACHERY TO FALTER IN SECURING . .. - OUR OBJECTS.' ' . (Rec. December 22, 6.10 p.m.) ■ • London, December 21. In the House of Commons, Sir John Simon, who Was formerly Home Secretary, expressed his desire to voice tho whole United JCingdom's acceptance of Mr. Lloyd George's speech. Tho Gorman Note did not contain terms lending themselves to consideration, and in nowise was a peace proposal. Mr. Lloyd George had not slammed tho door on peace. The nation agreed that it would bo an unpardonable crim allow the war to continue for orio unnecessary hour, and it would ho tho deepest treachery, by fighting or otherwise, t,o falter in securing the essentially defensive and unaggressive objects for, which we entered the war.—Router. TEUTONIC PEACE PROPOSAL THE RESULT OF MENACING A , .;.. POPULAR PRESSURE.' ; (Rec. December 22-, 6.i0 p.m:) ' Rome, December 21.A'Vatican official, .who has returned from ..Vienna, states-that, the Teutonic proposals were not spontaneous, but the'.result of menacing popular pressure. Emperor Charles of Austria threatened .to conclude .a. separate peace in tho event "of "Germany refusing to move; •' Bulgaria and Turkey

tlu'oatened similarly if Germany remained bellicose. There were violent discussions at the Vienna Conference, which angered the Kaiser, and he therefore "refrained from attending -Emperor Franz Josef's funeral. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. BERLIN ANXIOUSLY AWAITING ENTENTE'S REPLY (Rec. December 22, 9.35 p.m.) Amsterdam, December 21. ' Berlin is anxiously awaiting the Entente's formal reply. It is understood that the Kaiser will soon summon Mr. Gerard, American Ambassador,.to .Headquarters, with the view of communicating Germany's terms and bringing about Spanish and American mediation and action. —Aus.N.Z. Cable''Assm. .. / . • •• ' SOCIALIST .PEACE MEETING SUPPRESSED. : Amsterdam, December 21. The police prohibited a great Sooialist peace meeting at Leipzig.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.