The commoner. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-1923, December 01, 1916, Page 15, Image 15
fp 4 The Commoner DECEMBER, 1916 -15 r4Pr i"ynvvr Germany Makes Offer of Peace Tho following dispatches were carried by the Associated Press: Berlin, Dec. 12. (By wirless to Sayville.) Germany and its allies today proposed to enter forthwith into peace negotiations. The propositions which they will bring for ward are, according to Chancellor von Beth-mann-Hollweg, appropriate for the establish ment of lasting peace. The Austrian, Turkish and Bulgarian govern ments are making similar proposals. These pro posals also have been transmitted to the Vatican. The following announcement was given out today by the semi-ofiicial Overseas News agency: "Tho chancellor this morning received one after another of the representatives of the United States of America and Spain, and Switzerland; that is, of the states protecting German interests in hostile foreign countries. The chancellor transmitted to them a note and asked them to bring it to the knowledge of the hostile govern ments. The note will be ready today in the Re'ehstag by the chancellor. "In the note the four allied (central) powers propose to enter forthwith on peace negotia tions. The propositions which they bring for such negotiations are according to their firm belief appropriate for the establishment of a lasting peace. "The governmnts at Vienna, Constantinople and Sofia transmitted identical notes and also communicated with the Holy See and all neu tral powers." TEXT OF GERMAN NOTE Berlin, Dec. 12. Following is the text of the note addressed by Germany and its allies to the hostilo governments: "The most terrific-war ever experienced in history has been raging for the last two years and a half over a large part of the world a catastrophe wh'ch thousands of years of com mon civilization was unablo to prevent and which injures the most precious achievements of hu manity. Our aims are not to shatter nor anni hilate our adversaries. In spite of our con sciousness of our military and economic strength and our readiness to continue the war (which has been forced upon us) until the bitter end, if necessary; at the time prompted by the desire to avoid further bloodshed and make an end to the atrocities of war, the four allied powers propose to enter forthwith into peace negotia tions. "The propositions which they bring forward for such negotiations and which have for their object a guarantee of existence, of honor and liberty of evolution for their nations, are, ac cording to their firm belief, an appropriate basis for the establishment of- a lasting peace. "The four allied powers have been obliged to take up arms to defend justice and the liberty of national evolution; The glorious deeds of our armies have in no way altered our purpose. We always maintained the firm belief as to our own rights and justified claims in no way control the rights of these nations. "The spiritual and material progress which were the pride of Europe at tho beginning of the twentieth century are threatened with ruin. Germany and its allies, Austria-Hungary, Bul garia and Turkey, gave proof of their uncon querable strength in this struggle. tThey gained gigantic advantages over adversaries superior in number and war material. Our lines stand unshaken against attempts made by the enemies. "Tho last attack in the Balkans has been rap idly and victoriously overcome. The most recent events have demonstrated that further continu ance of war will not result in breaking the re sistance of our forces and the whole situation with regard to our troops justifies our expecta tion of further successes." WHAT BRYAN IS DOING Even to tho most cynical, it should bo appar ent these days that William Jennings Bryan is laboring devotedly and unselfishly for tho dem ocratic cause. At this writing he has stumped for tho President in sixteen western states, and will have toured three more before tho end of the campaign. Ho is giving his whole time and energy to tho work, and making four or five speeches a day. Ho is footing his own traveling expenses. A paper which is not in tho habit of plucking bouquets for commoners (the-ow York Evening Post) reports of him: "Ho is giv ing more of time, energy and money combinpd than any other single man to bring about the re-election of Woodrow Wilson." What is more, all reports agree that Mr Bryan is doing this in no perfunctory manner, mit with all the ardor of an evangelist. And if response from the people is his pay, ho is being richly rewarded, for, judged by the amount of enthu siasm ho is arousing, this is the most successful campaign of his career. He is, as ho perceives, making more votes for Wilson than he over won for himself. "I can make a much better argument for the re-election of President Wilson than I ever could for myself," ho explains. "For four campaigns I have been able to talk-about promises only, but today I can point to a record greater than any administration of our generation. Deeds are so much more convincing that promises." This is not merely an attempt on the part of the speaker to prove himself a good sportsman. We are proud to give Mr. Bryan credit, even as the Post does, for "caring for a principle far more than a good many other mpn in public life today." That he should win more votes for Mr. Wilson than ho ever did for himself is natural. Mr. Bryan is the finest type of idealist a type more effective in working for a cause than in working for himself. We "can not help but note, in passing, how ' much more dramatic a figure Mr. Bryan is in this campaign than Colonel RooBevelt. The ! Colonel stood by watching the fight and fondling a shillelah. Was th's a private jamboree, or could anybody mix in? Finally, his impatience got the better of him and he had to lake the plunge. He saw so many heads to bash that it mado his mouth "water. Mr. Bryan is of a different temper. He was far from spoiling for a fight. Ho had had an encounter each year and had. not emerged from it with much distinction. Mr. Bryan is not bloodthirsty, anyway. Tho whisper of con science was all that urged him on. As usual he did what he thought was right. Ho swallowed his pride and "sailed in." From Puck, N. Y. WORDS OF WELCOME Asheville extends a cordial greeting to Wil liam Jennings Bryan. This splendid statesman will find the Asheville folk neighborly and he and his family will enjoy spending a part of the days of the year in our midst. Speaking of Asheville people, The Times deights to honor the distinguished dibciple of peace, and wishes for him all of the joy and de light that comes to one who has seen a vision and has manfully wrought towards its achieve ment. Notable for his conviction and loyalty to his purpose in life William Jennings Bryan is not merely, a national figure but a world-recognized character with ability unquestioned and sincer ity undisputed, and those who disagree with h'm acknowledge his integrity- and admire his fidelity. 4 Asheville feels honored at having been chosen the place where the distinguished Nebraskan will build his summer home the place to which he comes for rest and thought and more than this Asheville will always look toward Mount Calm with a feeling of Joy and appreciation. Added pleasure would be Asheville's if that master man Henry Ford could see his way clear to make a sojourn regularly on another one of our delightful hilltops. Mr. Ford, by reason of his remarkable foresight and glimpse 0000 0 0 A HAPPY CHRISTMAS THOUGHT 0 q Send Tho Commoner to yotir fried- n constant reminder for tho whole .yew. v 00000000 0 0,(5 of better things Is also a world-wldo oharactor. Another man noted for his integrity, upright ness, and ability and if ho could havo his resting bungalow within Ashovlllo's limits this com munity would Indeed appreciate the acquisition. Both of these distinguished gentleman, prominent- In somewhat dlfforent linos and yot oach without, superior in his own sphore, nro thrloo welcome to our midst, and if mijj, llttlo sorvloe of ours can make tholr days more happy It will bo a joy to tender such service. Asheville (N. 0.) Timos. VOX POPULI The people of the Unltod Statos are not in a truculent tomper. They are not ashamed of tho rolo this nation has played in respect of tho Eu ropean war. They do not bcliovo tho Allies havo been 'fighting our battles" while we oat snugly by and coined blood money out of the oporatlon. They are patient under the Injuries that both parties to the war havo visited upon this country, becauso they take into .account tho abnormal state of the belligerents very much as a wlso man makes allowance for a neighbor who acts in the stress of an overmastering emotion. They aro, in their international relations, ny far the most Idealistic people in the world a re sult, no doubt, of their fortunate geographical position. They actively wish their neighbors good. That this nation, on a broad view, has consistently stood for the highest interests of civilization in the face of embroiled Europe sat isfies their idealism. They know that our par ticipation in tho war, from however strong com puls'on, would be a world calamity. That much is clearly deduclblo from the pres idential campaign, and wo look upon this ex pression of public opinion as ono of the finest in cidents In American history. Man is naturally a fighting animal. Getting him to fight has al ways been tho easiest trick in the statesman's box. Moreover, war is contagious, and the con tagion1 has been in the air for many inontns. That the American "people In 191G refused to bo hurrahed, heckled and taunted into belligerency will stand as tme of tho high justifications of democracy. Onb singular phase of the campaign consisted in persistently insulting a public that saw its own interests and tho highest human interests. That phase was conducted by a rather extensive and clamorous sot;" but the public's answer was merely a good-natured shrug. Saturday Even ing Post; MR. BRYAN'S -PART . Referring to the Washington banquet, Decem ber G, the New York World said editorially: "Mr. Bryan deserves all the honor accorded him yesterday and last evening In Washington. Ho quit the Wilson administration because he feared it was too militant, ho did not rush into tho arms of a candidate who was practically committed to war in both hemispheres. In loy alty' to party principle as well as faithfulness to an Idea, he has given tho country a fine, example of fidelity and common sense." Governor Hiram Johnson of California, whose election to the senate was marked by a plurality so large that nobody can remember its .extent, has been able so far to conceal his grief over the fact that the electoral vote of tho state did not go to his genial friend. Judgo Hughes. " Peter Goelet Gerry, called a free trade demo crat, was elected United States senator in Rhode Island, defeating that sterling champion of high protection, the Hon. Henry Frederick LIppitt. This Is the first official intimation that the mil lenium isnot very far distant. Wanted the name of every democrat and independent who will assist Mr. Bryan in driving the liquor interests out the parly and out of the nation. i. Q