The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-05-28
Declares World Is Even Now
Upon Eve of Great Con-
summation
FAVORS JOINT ACTION
TO MAINTAIN PEACE
Nations Have Right to Be
Free From Every Disturb
ance of Peace and Attacks
of Aggresser Rulers

Washington, May 2T.-Presi-
dent Wilson tonight broke his
silence ON peace and discussed
the subject At some length. He
spoke at dinner OF the League
To Enforce Peace.
The President gave an intima-
ton that he Ii making nm inior-
NAL effort to bring about ter
naination OF the war. In saying
4 that he feels confident the world
.'ts even now upon the eve of
great consumnzstion." he left the
impression that he believes peace
Is not far distant.
His remarks were Interpreted
more, however. as notice TO the
bciiigcrcnts of the attitude this
government Will maintain when
the time comes for actual con-
sidcration of proposals.
OF Utmost Significance.
His declaration on this subject was
reca rded as Of the utmost Significance.
The President disclosed that the
tinted States Will not attempt to
shape tae Il, Tx Of settlement. feel
ing that i Is in no degree party to
the pred st quarrel
. II Will, nc Hever, t>Ildeavor TO bring
about the establishment OF an inter-
.ratipaaj league 10 preserve peace and
The tHited States IS willing 70 be-
come 6 partner In such an associa-
ton of nations
Tnasmuch as the President indi-
Gated that q ercien should he en-
Pile, ed 70 accomplish the objects Of
the league II was accepted that he IA
vors and Viii work for. the creation
of an International police force, MILL
tarA as we'll a. naval
re4a c1t ty1t
preted 10 mean that he is disposed 10
abandon. under such circumstances.
the traditional policy OF this govern
nent TO avoid 'entangling alliances ="
The impression prevails in WASH
ington that President Wilson has as
certAiaed the views OF some al least
OF the other nations Of the world on
this proposal and that the informa-
ton he obtained wa encouraging.
The belief lis entertained also that
his announcement Will meet with
favor In Germany.
The German government has main
ta.ned that IL seeks the freedom of
the seas. President Wilson tonight
said that one of the purposes OF the
international association he proposes
would be TO maintain the inviolate
security OF the highway OF the seas
for the common and unhindered use
Text OF Address.
The text OF President wilson q
speech follows:
when the invitation to be here to-
night came to me, l was glad to ac-
cep, it--not because ii offered me an
opportunity to discuss the program Of
the league-that. you will. ! am sure,
not expect of me-but because the
desire Of the whole world now turns
TOWARDS the hope of peace and there
Lis Just reason why we should take our
bart I'm council upon this great theme.
1T Is right that l. as spokesman OF
our government, should attempt to
give expression to what believe to
be the thought and purpose of the
people Of the United States in this
vital matter.
| This great war that broke so sud-
denly upon the world two years ago,
and which has swept within its fame
90 great a part of the civilized world.
has affected us very profoundly and
We are not only at liberty. 1t 10. per-
haps, our duty. to speak very frankly
OF IL and Of the great interests OF
civilization which II affects
with it's causes and it's objects we
are not concerned. The obscure foun-
tains from which It's stupendous mood
has burst fOftn we are not Interested
y search for Or explore.
But so great a flood. spread far
and wide to everv quarter OF tho globe,
hes, Of necessity, ensulfed many a
Hair province OF right that Hes very
near tG us. Our own rights as a ma
lion, the liberties, mo privileges and
| the property OF our people have been
profoundly affected We are not
mere disconnected lookers-on.
The longer the war lasts the more
deeply do we become concerned that
il should be brought to an end. and
/ the world be permitted to resume Its
normal life and course again.
Peace should 10 Permanent.
< 'And-when II does come to an snd
We shall be A. much concerned as the
nations At war 10 sac peace assume
an aspect Of permancnae. give prom
lse OF days from which the anxiety
az uncertainty shall hs lifted, bring
Some assurance that peace and war
ahal. always hereafter be Feckoned
Uart of the comment Of mankind.
We are participants, whether we
would or not In the life Of the weird.
rhe interests Of all nations are our
AVN also. We are partners with the
est What affects mankind 10 inevi-
SXnly our affair as we'll as the affair
M the nations Of Europe and OF Asia.
t'0ne observation on the causes Of
X s-h- I