Wilson’s Note

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 25, 23 December 1916, Page 5

Wilson’s Note

INDIGNATION IN CANADA. Press Association—Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cabld 1 Association. , mv (Received 11.5 a.m.)

AMERICAN PRESS COMMENT. . » , Frau Association—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received 9.15 a.m.) New York, December 22. The New York Times considers that the purpose of the Note is to force Germany to declare her objects, . which the Allies have already, done. Germany has failed to , ac r ., complish, her. ends, and Peace .tp her is becoming an urgent necessity. The Chicago Herald states that British opinion will dwell on the fact that the Note was issued soon after Herr von Bethmanu Hollweg’s speech, and the President must expect all the criticism that the cables, will carry. The Washington correspondent c of the New York Times declares that despite the unfortunate coincidence of dates, it is ridiculous to suppose that the United States bad any sympathetic interest in Germany. Mr Lansing’s statement means that the United States fears that the resumption of submarining may force America to participate. President Wilson’s intention to send a Peace Note dates back to the sinking of the Sussex. The President realised that if Germany failed to redeem her pledges, the United States would be forced to join the Allies. Mr Gerard (Ambassador in Berlin) was also influenced by President Wilson. The ebrres-. 1 pendent adds: There is a possible fear that the Allies’ complete rejec-* tlon of Germany’s offer will be precipitated by the despatch of the Note.

y Ottawa, December 22. Intense indignation against President Wilson’s Peace Note is expressed in Canada. The newspapers bitterly comment on Wilson’s suggestion that he is acting in the name of humanity, asking what he ever did for humanity or benefit it in this war. It is .generally regarded that the Note' will preclude the Uni-ted;-'States . having a single word, to jSttyi'Whefl’ thcr real., peace negotia-. liop'beginiiid .y - • ~ ;• jin niciioL* -* • :• i v.d: /'liinruil GERMAN PRESS STAB. Press Association—Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received 11.5 a.m.) i London. December 22. The Cologne Gazette, discussing President Wilson’s attitude on the pe£|ce proposals, says owing to the difficulty of getting com from the Argentina, England is eagerly purchasing North' American supplies, thus producing high prices and starvation in the United States, unless President Wilson vetoes the exports and thus puts the rope on England’s neck.

BRITISH PRESS COMMENT. . P resa Association—Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Gable Association. (Received 8.55 a.m.) London, December 22. The Daily Telegraph recalls that after two years’ bloody devastating civil war the Northern States were without apparent prospect of triumph, and had been beaten again and again. How would the Americans have regarded such an appeal as President Wilson’s if it had been addressed to the belligerents at a time when Vicksburg had fallen and the Battle of Gettysburg had been fought. The "Chronicle says: President Wilson bases his intervention on the grbund of humanity, yet he was silent when Belgium was treacherously and ruthlessly attacked, her homes burned, civilians butchered, and women violated. He did not protest against the - baby-killing at Whitby and Scarborough, and the massacre of half- a million Armenians, and only protested against the Lusitania, Aucora, and Sussex massacres because the American interests have suffered by the war, but they have gained great wealth. The most painful passage in the Note is President Wilson’s statement that the objects of both belligerents arc “virtually the. same.” This is a deep insult to the Allies. We do not ask America for favours, but ask to be allowed to finish our world’.work: s ‘

The Glasgow' Herald says: The Allies have- only one duty, and that is to go on demanding complete restitution, full reparation, and effectual guarantees. Tha Liverpool Post says: The appeal is maladroit unless President Wilson’s well-meaning efforts are directed towards eliciting from Get - many the concrete terms of peace site has withheld.

The Manchester Guardian says: The German people should he told that the English do not intend the utter final destruction of their country, The Allies have already intimated to Germany that they are ready' to hear her views upon peace. Loudon newspapers are discussing the possibility .of President W ilsou /initiating' embargo legislation m Congress with a view’ to preventing the export of war goods to the Allies.