The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-01-23
NOrthcliffe Press Declares War
Cannot. End in Draw.
But All See Profound Merit in
Wilson'S Peace Plan.
QUESTION FREEDOM OF SEAS
Size Up Speech as Intended for
Home Consumption.
"Splendid Policy, NObIy Ex-
pressed Says Leading Paper.

London. Jan. 23.-Mindful of the
error into which they were drawn On
President Wilson's peace note by over
hastness, British editors today were
generally cautious in their attempts to
analyze and interpret the presidents
Il speech in the senate. They evidently
feared possible misconstruction on
his remarks.
Most of the comment, however
hinged ON the American executives
use of the term peace without vic
tory" The papers owned by Lord
Northcliffe insisted that there cannot
he drawn war between the spirit
with which the allies are animated on
the one side and on the other the
spirit of Prussian militarism.
Kaiser Declared for Victory.
The Morning Post answered Will
sons assumption that neither side de-
|sires victory by pointing out sections
of the kaiser's recent proclamations
and letter in which he emphasized
Germanys determination for Il COM
piete victory.
As a whole. the liberal press ap-
plauded the lofty principles apparent
in the presidents statement. but ba1k-
ed at some Of the applications thereof,
notably the reference to freedom of
the seas.
The general impression among both
press and public seems to be that the
speech was intended neither pro-ally
nor proc eTTnan-but rather pro-
northumberland primarily for
american consumption.
JuyfuIIy Received World Over.
London, Jan. 23.-The Manchester
Guardian commenting on President
Wilson'S speech to the senate calls it
"A splendid policy, nobly expressed"
The Guardian says after quoting the
chief points in the presidents speech
in regard to the conditions on which
peace must be based:
1T is a splendid policy nobly ex-
pressed. How will it he received? BY
the peoples everywhere. we cannot
doubt joyfully; by men of good will
and enlightenment everywhere, not less
joyfully and with a clear perception
that this is no vision of Utopia but a
well thought out and justly framed
scheme of Il man in great position
and versed in great affairs
Asking how the helligerents will re-
gard it, the paper thinks its principles
and phrases will be hardly palatable to
autocratic rulers or easily reconciled to
their traditions and methods of gov
eminent.
Plea for Peoples Rights.
AS for ourselves. they are our terms
or if they are not they ought to be
and the mass of the nation will do well
to see that their rulers render to them
Referring to the presidents noble
concluding words the Guardian says:
"These are words which will find an
echo in many hearts and words are
some times deeds.
E Victory. Only Safety.
aThe Pail Mail Gazette expressed no
doubt of Wilson's disinterestedness
and his high mirdedness, but only re-
srVets the exercise of these qualities in
a. ''purely theoretical atmosphere"
'Victory for the allies" the news
paper continued, "is the fret essential
safety-after that we can talk about
permanent suppression of war at our
leisure
The Times editorial today illustrat-
ed the desire of British editors to go
slow in commenting on the WILSON
speech.
Its language the editorial said.
shas evidently been weighed with so
much nicely and care that premature
comment might overlook or misinter
pref the precise shade of meaning
which particular passages are intend
ed to bear.
The presidents project is nothing
less ambitiously splendid than the es-
Establishment of a perpetual and uni
versal reign of peace"
The Dream, of Centuries
Continuing. the Times lauds Wilson
as the first individual in a big nation
who advances as a practical plan 'the
dreams of many thinkers for a great
number of centuries" aItho express
ling doubt that such an appeal to the
Imagination and hearts of people will
result in their unreserved approval
''The allies believe that a victory