The "pacifists" in the Allied and neutral countries were more or less active, but received little encouragement.

Their arguments did not appeal to patriotism.
Going back to the beginning of the year, within a week after the President's "peace without victory" speech before the senate, Germany replied to it by announcing that beginning February 1, it would begin unrestricted submarine warfare in certain extensive zones around the British Isles, France and Italy.

It would, however, out of the kindness of its heart, permit the United States to use a narrow track across the sea with a landing at Falmouth, one ship a week, provided the American ships were painted red and white and carried various kinds of distinguishing marks.
This of course was a direct repudiation by Germany of all the promises she had made to the United States.

The President saw the sword being forced into his hands but he was not yet ready to seize it with all his might.

He preferred first to exhaust the expediency of an armed neutrality.