The Washington herald., 1917-01-23
SHOWS HIS PLAN
TO END ALL WAR
Will Support League to En-
force Peace if His Condi-
tions Are Met.
HIS UTTERANCE EPOCHAL
Freedom of Seas and Limitation of
Armaments All Figure.
In Ii.

President Woodrow Wilson yester-
day flashed into the arena of world
politics as an intrepid knight Grant
of peace who wants to make all fu-
ture wars impossible.
Addressing the Senate, he delivered
message to all the nations, revealing
the fundamentals of European peace
which he, as spokesman for the
United States. considers essential.
1t was an epochal event. and the
Senate was awed by it. The President
pledged the support of this nation to
support a program which will, In all
truth, mean peace on earth. good
will to men" should it bridge the gulf
between realism and idealism.
Lays Down Conditions.
Clearly and forcefully he declared
the right of the United States to have
a voice in determining the peace con-
ditions which shall be made lasting
by the DEGREES of an eternal cove
nant" through an international league
to enforce peace.
He laid down fatty the conditions
which both sides in the European
struggle must agree TO. If the United
States is to become a party to the
world agreement to prevent future
wars. He asserted that the United
States cannot in honor withhold the
service of adding their power to the
authority and force of other nations
to guarantee peace and justice
throughout the world through
league of peace.
smashes All Precedents.
Not since the foundation Of the repub-
lie has President OF the United States,
in public statement declared the right
Of this nation TO be heard in the terms
which will settle a war in which the
4 country has no active part.
Not since the days of Washington has
a President of the United States laid
bare the foreign relations Of this gov
ernment before the Senate In open ses-
sion. Washington gasped with amaze
ment when the President announced he
would make his address. sat in tense
silence while he demanded for this coun-
try the right TO determine what shall
constitute a lasting peace IN EUroVe.
nd last night fioundered helplessly In It's
efforts TO appreciate the magnitude Of
the step.
The United states last night found it,
self an aggressive, vigorous claimant for
a ilace at the council board which shall
frame the terms to end the European
war and ensure future peace. All talk
or the Monroe doctrine" and the time
honored watchword Of no eutanKIins
alliances abroad" was hushed with a few
well chosen words with which the Pres
ldent declared his international policy.
American principles, American policy"
Senate Is surprised.
The Cignified Senate, taken bv surprise
sat in amazement as the President,
speaking to the body which shares with
him the conduct OF foreign affairs an
ncunced his tradition-defying doctrines
But two short hours before he appeared
at the Capitol the President had notified
Vice President Marshall that he wished -
be heard, and there was no warning Of
the nature Of his talk. It fell upon ears
startled and astounded.
Last night the text OF the President.
peace demands was speeding by cable and
wireless TO the capitals Of Europe IL
left behind an astounded. amazed diplo-
matte corps Entente diplomats gasped
and refused to discuss the speech, beyond
accepting IT as a master-move in the
Presidents peace plans. Teutonlc diplN-
mats gasped and refused TO be quoted,
although Plainly showing their satisfac-
ton THAT the foremost neutral was an
aggressive peace advocate. Neutral diplo-
mats sat back and wondered.
quiet, Low Tones.
A few members Of the Cabinet. ranrs<
in arm chairs across the front Of thu
Senate chamber, galleries jsmmed even
to the stairways, sr5 HT- attendsncs
low tones that reached every corner Of
the chamber he read his carefully pre-
pared announcement
He declared that peace exchanges had
been made, and that all discussions had
recognized the fact that peace must be
followed by some definite concert of
power that will make It virtually impos-
sible that any such catastrophe should
ever oyerwhelm us again. He voiced
the desire and duty ''in honor of tbs
people of the United States to Join such
concert of power. and then he fatly
declared that this country could not
guarantee a peace without making sure
that the peace justified Endorsement As
the crowded chamber leaned forward
with breathless eagerness he demanded
! a peace that shall win the approval Of
mankind" and described the conditions
of such a peace.
Not a sound interrupted the tall spsrs
figure at the clerks desk as he read the
fateful precise diction. A thronr of
House members standing in the rear OF
the chamber watched the speaker as n
fascinated. In the Vice Presidents gal