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Show TWO NOTES SENT BY ENTENTE; ONE FROM BELGIANS Restitution, Reparation and Guarantees for Security in Future Demanded; Exact Terms Are Outlined. WASHINGTON, Jan. 11. The entente allies, replying to President WU-son's WU-son's peace note in a joint communication, express the belief that it is impossible impos-sible at the present moment to attain peace that will assure them reparation, repara-tion, restitution and such guarantees as they consider are esssntial. In a separate note the Belgian government expresses its desire for peace, but declares it could only accept a settlement which would assure it reparation repara-tion and security in the future. Both of the communications, made public by the state department tonight, to-night, are dated January 10 and were transmitted in translations from the French texts through Ambassador Sharp at Paris. TEXTS OF GENERAL REPLY AND THE BELGIAN NOTE The translation of tlie French text of the entente note, as cabled by Ambassador Ambassa-dor Sharp at Paris, follows: The allied governments have received re-ceived the note which was delivered to them in the name of the government govern-ment of the United States on the 19th of December, 1916. They have studied it with the care imposed upon them both by the exact realization realiza-tion which they have of the- gravity of the hour and by the sincere friendship friend-ship which attaches them to the American people. In general, they wish to declare that they pay tribute to the elevation of the sentiment with which the American note is Inspired, and ' that they associate themselves, with all their hopes, with the project for the creation of a league of nations to insure in-sure peace and justice throughout the world. They recognize all the advantages ad-vantages for the cause or humanity ana civilization which the Institution of International agreement's, destined to avoid violent conflicts between nations, na-tions, would prevent ; agreements which must Imply the sanctions necessary nec-essary to insure their execution and thus to prevent an apparent security secur-ity from only facilitating new aggres- sions. But a. discussion of future arrangements arrange-ments destined to Insure an enduring endur-ing peace presupposes a satisfactory settlement of the actual conflict; the allies have as profound a desire as the government of the United States to terminate as soon as possible a war for which the central empires are responsible and which Inflicts such cruel sufferings upon humanity; But they believe that It is impossible at the present moment to attain a peace which will assure them reparation, repara-tion, restitution and such guarantees to which they are entitled by the aggression ag-gression for which the responsibility rests with the central powers and of which the principle itself tended to rufn the security of Europe; a peace which would, on the other hand, permit per-mit the establishment of the future of European nations on a solid basis. The allied nations are conscious that they are not fighting for selfish Interests, In-terests, but, above all, to safeguard tiie independence of peoples, of rights and of humanity. The allies are fully aware of the losses and suffering which the war cau-ses to neutrals as well as- to belligerents, bel-ligerents, and they deplore them; but they do not hold themselves responsible responsi-ble for them, having in no way either willed or provoked tills war. and they strive to reduce these damages In the measure compatible with the Inexorable Inexora-ble exigencies of their defense against tho violence and the wiles of the enemy. Do Not Doubt U. S. It is with satisfaction, therefore, that they take note of the declaration declara-tion that the American communication communica-tion is In nowise associated in its origin with that of the central powers transmitted on the ISth of December by the government of the United States. They did not doubt, moreover, the resolution of that government to avoid even the appearance of a support, sup-port, even moral, of the authors responsible re-sponsible for the war. The allied Governments believe that (Continued ou Page Seven.) II NOTES SECT 1 REPLY TP PRESIDENT (Continued From Page Two.) - they must protest in the most friendly friend-ly but in the most specific manner against the assimilation established In the American note between the two groups of belligerents; this as- simllation, based upon public declara- tions by the central powers. Is in i direct opposition to the evidence, both j as regards responsibility for the past j and as concerns guarantees for the future; President Wils'on, In mention-! mention-! Ing It, certainly had no intention of associating himself with. it. Willful Aggression. If there is an historical fact established estab-lished at the present date, it is the willful aggression of Germany and Austria-Hungary to insure their hegemony over Europe and their economic eco-nomic domination over the world, j Germany proved by her declaration of war, by the immediate violation of Belgium and Luxemburg, and by her manner of conducting the war, her ; simulating contempt for all prlncl-I prlncl-I pies of humanity and all respect for small states; as the conflict developed devel-oped the attitude of the central powers pow-ers and their allies has been a continual con-tinual defiance of humanity and clv- ilization. Is it necessary to recall the hor- rors which accompanied the invasion I of Belgium and Serbia, the atrocious reeime Imposed upon the invaded ! countries, the massacre of hundreds ; 'of thousands of inoffensive Armeni-j Armeni-j ans, the barbarities perpetrated I against the populations in Syria, the 1 raids of Zeppelins on open towns, the ' destruction by submarines of passen-' passen-' ger steamers and of merchantmen even under neutral flags, the cruel I treatment inflicted upon prisoners of ; war, the judicial murders of Miss j Cave and of Captain Fryatt, the de-j de-j portatlon and the reduction to slavery slav-ery of civil populations, et cetera? ! The execution of such a series of I crimes perpetrated without any regard re-gard for universal reprobation fully ! explains to President Wilson the pro-1 pro-1 'test of the allies. What Is Expected. They consider that the note which they sent to the United States In - reply to the German note will he a , response to the questions put by the American government and. according accord-ing to the nxact words of the latter. . const' tu te "a public dcelarn tion as to the conditions upon which the war could be terminated.'' President Wi'son desires more: He desires that the belligerent powers openly affirm the objects which they seek bv com inning the war; the allies al-lies experience no difficulty in replying reply-ing to1 this request. Their objects in the war are well known: they have been formulated on many occasions by the chiefs of their divers governments. govern-ments. Their objects In the war will not be mar1P known Ip detail, with all the equitable compensations and In- i demnit'os for damages suffered, until I the hour of negotiations. Known to the World. j But the civilized world knows that they imply in all necessity and in the first instance the restoration of Belgium, Bel-gium, of Serbia and of Montenegro, and the indemnities which are due them; the evaluation of the invaded territories of France, of Russia, and of Rumania, with just reparation; the reorganization Vif Europe guaranteed by at stable regime and founded as much upon respect of nationalities and full security and liberty of economic eco-nomic development, which ail nations, great or small, possess, as upon territorial ter-ritorial and maritime frontiers asrainst unjustified attacks; the restitution of provinces or territories wrested in the past from the allies by force or against the will of their populations; the liberation of Italians, of Slavs, of Rumanians, and of Tcheco Slovaques from foreign domination; the enfranchisement enfran-chisement of populations subject to the bloody tyranny of the Turks; the expulsion from TCurope of the Ottoman empire, which has proved itself so radically alien to western civilization. Intention as Regards Poland. The intentions of his majesty, the emperor of Russia, regarding Poland have been clearly indicated in the proclamation which he has just addressed ad-dressed to his armies. It goes without with-out saying that if the allies wish to liberate Europe from the brutal covetousness of Prussian militarism, it never has been their design, as has been alleged, to encompass the extermination ex-termination of the German peoples and their political disappearance. That which they desire above all is to insure in-sure a peace upon the principles of liberty and justice; upon the inviolable inviola-ble fidelity to international obligation obliga-tion with which the government of the United States has never ceased to be inspired. United in the pursuit of this supreme object, the allies are determined, individually in-dividually and collectively, to act with all thoir power and to consent to all sacrifices to bring to a vigorous close a conflict upon which they are convinced con-vinced not only their own safety and prosperity depends, but also the future fu-ture of civilization itself. Belgian Note. The translation of the Belgian note, whirh was handed to Ambassador Sharp with the entente reply, follows: Tiie government of the king, which lias associated itself with the answer handed by the president of the French council to the American ambassador on behalf of all. is particularly desirous de-sirous of paying tribute to the sentiment senti-ment of humanity which prompted the president of the United States to send his note to the belligerent power?, pow-er?, and it hisrhlv esteems the friendship friend-ship expressed for Bolgium through his kindly intermediation. Tt desires as miK-h as Mr. "Wood row Wilson to see the present war ended as early as possible. But the president seems to believe that the statesmen of the two opposing oppos-ing camps pursue the same objects of war. The example of Belgium unfortunately un-fortunately demonstrates that this Is In no wise the fact. Belcium ha 3 never, like the central powers, aimed at conquests. The barbarous fashion in which the German government has treated, and is still treatlner, the Belgian Bel-gian nation does not permit the supposition sup-position that Germany will preoccuny herself with Guaranteeing In the future fu-ture the rights of the weak nations which she has not ceased to trample under foot since the war. let loose bv her. began to desolate Europe. On the other hand, the government of the king hns noted with pleasure and with 1-onfldenre 'be assurances that the United States is impatient to en-operate en-operate in the measure? -which will be taken after the conclusion of peace to guarantee the small nations against violence and oppression. , Belgium's Aspirations. Previous to the German ultimatum, Belgium only aspired to live upon good terms with all her neighbors, she practiced with scrupulous" loyalty loyal-ty towards each one of them the duties du-ties impesed by her neutrality. In the same manner she has been rewarded re-warded by Germany for the confidence confi-dence she placed in her, through which, from one day to the other, without any plausible reason, her neutrality neu-trality was violated, and the chancellor chancel-lor of the empire, when announcing to the reiehstag this viola t Ion of right and of treaties, was obliged to recognize the iniquity of eurh an act and predetermine that it would be repaiied. But the Germans, after the occupation of Belgian territory, have displayed no better observance of the rules of international bin or the ntipu-la ntipu-la tions of The H;ii;ue convention. They hnvc, by taxation, as hetvy as it is arbitrary, drained the resources of the country; they have intentionally intentional-ly ruined its industries, destroyed whole cities, put to death and imprisoned im-prisoned a considerable number of inhabitants. in-habitants. Even now. while they are loudly proclaiming their desire to put an end to the; horrors of war. they Increase the rigors of the occupation by deporting into servitude Belgian workers by the thousands. Right to Take Up Arms. If there is a country which has the right to pay that it has taken up arms to defend its existence, it is assuredly as-suredly Belgium. Compelled to fight or submit to shame, she passionately desires that an end be brought to the unprecedented sufferings of her people. peo-ple. But she could only accept a peace which would assure her, as well as equitable reparation, security and guarantees for the future. The American people, since the beginning be-ginning of the war. have manifested for the oppressed Belgian nation its i most ardent sympathy. It is an American commission, the commission , for relief in Belgium, which in close I union with the government of the j king and the national commission dis- j plays an untiring devotion and mar- j velous activity in revictualling Bel- i gium. The government of the king ! is happy to avail itself of this oppor- ! tunity to express its profound gratl- 1 tude to the commission for relief, as well as to the generous Americans eager to relieve the misery of the ! Belgian population. Finally, nowhere i more than in the United States have the abductions and deportations of Belgian civilians provoked such a j spontaneous movement of protestation protesta-tion and indignation. , These facts, entirely to the honor of the American nation, allow the government of the king to entertain i the legitimate hope that at the time 1 of the definite settlement of this long war the voice of the entente powers will find in the United States a unanimous unani-mous echo to claim in favor of the Belgian nation, innocent victim of German ambition and covetousness, j the rank and the place which its ir- ! reproachable past, the valor of its j soldiers, its fidelity to honor, and its remarkable faculties for work assign to it among the civilized nations. J |
