On the eve of Christmas President Wilson astonished the world
by issuing a Note to all the belligerent Powers, in which he " suggests that an early occasion be sought to call out from all the nations now at war such an avowal of their respective views as to the terms upon which the war might be concluded and the arrangements which would be deemed satisfactory as a guarantee against its renewal or the kindling of any similar conflict in the future as would make it possible frankly to compare them." The President was " somewhat embarrassed " in making this suggestion imme- diately after Germany had proposed to enter into negotiations for peace, but declared that it was " in no way associated with them in its origin," and should be considered on its own merits. He said that he was not proposing peace or even offering mediation, but merely desired that " soundings be taken in order that we may learn . . . how near the haven of peace may be."
