New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-31
To the Editor OF The Tribune.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: For its sensationalism the sudden
descent upon tho United States Senate by
Mr.. Wilson TO deliver an address OF which
no ono knew the character is perhaps un-
raraleled in modern times outside the
erratic actions of Kaiser wilhelm II during
the period just after he had ascended the
throne. Mr.. Wilson's naive declaration 70
TIE Senate, 81 have sought this opportunity
because I thought owed II to you as the
council associated with me in the hnal de-
termination of our international obligations
is grim enough. council, indeed, when the
defiance of more than a century OF honored
tradition was certain to focus the attention
of the world upon the proceeding, and when
the tenor Of the address gave suggestions OF
a speech from the throne, as 1t is understood
in Europe. Mr.. Wilson knew that an appeal
for support after the fact is impelling, when
the argument is to present united front
before the world. The springing OF such
sensation succeeds nowhere 80 well as In tne
United States, and looked at as stroke Tor
spotlight apparition and to divert attention
from the vital issues Of the moment, the act
betrays the hand Of master
As regards the substance of the address.
made in Germany" is written over it IN
large characters, though buttered with ex-
pressions like, 81 spoke in behalf of human
lity" and Every lover of mankind" that TINS
fact may perhaps be screened from the undls-
corning. Germany's insistent argument for
peace has been that it is wilful murder to
continue the struggle, struggle whlcn was
forced upon her and must end in stalemate,
and one Of her most vociferous mouthpleces
has terated this plea in numerous dispatches
from the encourage Of the Kaiser and sub
mtted the most abject appeals to Mr.. VIII
son 10 work for immediate peace. refer to
Mr.. William Bayard Hale, the personal friend
and adulatory biographer of Mr.. Wilson
Realizing that it is Britain's sea power
which has saved the insular empire from an
initiation under the onset of Germany's
armies. the pack has raised the cry of free
dom of the seas; but can any one claim that
there has not been perfect freedom Of the
seas in times Of peace, even TO the wrestling
from England Of large part of her ocean
horne commerce? This supremacy OF the sea
10 everywhere recognized as vital to the very
existence of the British nation, not TO men
tion the empire; but Mr.. Wilson now JOINS IN
the chorus of this German cry, which Is
usually interpreted to mean freedom neces-
Sorv for the German navy to usurp the posi-
ltion Of Britain as the mistress Of the Seas"
Likewise Mr.. Wilson rehearses the state
,,on, that the war must not end in victory
for either side, since this would leave behind
il resentments fatal to continuation OF
neace The secret of peace is, he says, not
balance of power. but community OF power
Guarantee in concert of the powers, all
heavily armed. He even has the efrontery
70 saw that the assurances of the statesmen
upon both sides imply a peace not secured
bv victory. Is it possible that the President
has not read the answer Of the Allies to ms
own peace note, which concludes with the
declaration: "The Allies are determined, IN.
dividually and collectively, to act with all