ALLIES' REPLY TO WILSON

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 219, 13 January 1917, Page 5

ALLIES' REPLY TO WILSON

TERMS SATISFACTORILY RECEIV

ED. A DIPLOMATIC TRIUMPH. A GERMAN DIPLOMATIC BLUNDER Received 9.15. WASHINGTON, Jan 12. It is considered by semi-official opinion that the Note contains a strong statement of the Allies' case and is a diplomatic triumph; but it will definitely close the door to peace for the present. It is certain the Note will not fail to strengthen neutral opinion in favour of the Allies. Satisfaction is expressed because it meets fully the request for a statement of Allied terms. The reference to the restoration of territories wrested in the past is interpreted to include Alsace and Lorraine. Mr. Lansing regards the Note as favourable, but President Wilson is silent. The New York Times welcomes the friendly, frank tone of the Note. The terms mean Constantinople for Russia, disappearance of the Turkey plague spot from Europe. Germany's new Note, timed for simultaneous presentation, is a deplorable mistake, and is another unaccountable blunder of German diplomacy. Wilson and the Allies have given Germany the opportunity to say whether she wants war, and now, if Germany has the effrontery to say the terms are unjust, she will have the whole world against her. If she continues the war the hopeless struggle will result in untold suffering, and their inevitable defeat will impose harder terms.