The first thirty days of the year found the man at the head of our government still hoping against hope, still struggling with all the odds against him, still courageously engaged in efforts for peace.  It was a particularly trying time for President Wilson, as a large portion of his own party and most of the nation was arrayed against him.  The people in general felt that the time for writing notes, for parleying had passed.

On December 12, 1916, Germany, in a formal note, had offered to enter into peace negotiations, but did not specify any terms.  The note referred in boastful language to the victorious German armies.  It was rejected by the Allies as empty and insincere.  The president on December 18, 1916, had addressed all the beligerents asking them to indicate precisely the terms on which, they would make peace.  Germany’s reply to this note was no more satisfactory than before.  The Allies replied demanding restorations, reparation and indemnities.

On the 22nd of January the president appeared before the senate in his famous “peace without victory” address, in which he advocated a world league for peace.  His views were received sympathetically, though the Allies pointed out that no peace based on the condition of things before the war could be durable, and that as matters stood it would be a virtual victory for Germany.  It was the president’s last effort to bring peace to the world without resorting to armed force.

The most biased historian is bound to affirm that Woodrow Wilson exhausted every effort not only to keep the United States honorably at peace, but to bring about a pacific attitude and understanding among the belligerents.  When finally he saw that no argument save that of the sword would avail, when finally the hour struck, he became the man of the hour courageously and nobly.

After President Wilson’s failure to bring about even a pacific attitude among the warring nations, no peace appeal from any quarter calculated to receive respectful attention was made, excepting that issued by Pope Benedict August 15, four months after the United States had declared war.  The President summarized the Pope’s proposals as follows: 

“His Holiness in substance proposes that we return to the status existing before the war, and that then there be a general condonation, disarmament, and a concert of nations based upon an acceptance of the principle of arbitration; that by a similar concert freedom of the seas be established; and that the territorial claims of France and Italy, the perplexing problems of the Balkan States and the restitution of Poland be left to such conciliatory adjustments as may be possible in the new temper of such a peace, due regard being paid to the aspirations of the peoples whose political fortunes and affiliations will be involved.”

The president’s reply to the Pope forcibly stated the aim of the United States to free the world from the menace of Prussian militarism controlled by an arrogant and faithless autocracy.  Distinguishing between the German rulers and the people, President Wilson asserted that the United States would willingly negotiate with a government subject to the popular will.  The note disavowed any intention to dismember countries or to impose unfair economic conditions.  In part the President’s language was: