New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-28
WILSON PEACE
FIGHT GROWS
World League Move
StirS MOmentOuS
Struggle
BY STEVENSON II. EVANS

Washington, Jan. 27.-The eXtrava-
CANT praise and the extremely hostile
criticism of the Presidents recent
peace speech in the Senate are increas-
ing the confusion, not alone in the
public mind, but also in the legislative
mind, the diplomatic mind and in that
composite mentality described as the
American State Department.
The extravsgant praise Of the ad-
dress of January % goes to the length
of declaring that Mr.. Wilson is show
ing 10 the American people an easy
escape from the necessity OF genuine
military preparedness. For such state
ments, pacifsts ought to understand
there is no foundation.
Wilson for Preparedness
Mr.. Wilson is a convert to prepared
ness. although he is as yet unwilling
to admit that the Hay army bill is
demonstrated failure, or to subscribe
70 the doctrine of universal military
training. .,
The hostile criticism has descended
70 the level of personal abuse OF Mr.
Wilson. Witticisms, such as lnst
speech from the throne" and HE Is
using the United States Senate as a
mepaphone through which to address
Tho world" have been INDUCED IN
These are out of place at time wneh
the country stands at the parting OF
tho wsvs on a great question of policy
But il is unfair to describe the meas
,rod criticisms of the Presidents doc
trine as petty fault-fnding and mere
partisan hatred. 1t is time above all
others for clarity in understanding
what the President is proposing ana
for nlain intellectual honesty on the
part of his supporters and interpreters
as we'll as his critics.
Agree on Wilson's Aim
believe | truly reflected all shades
of on;nion i'm the capital-as found IN
the Senate and the House, in the state
Denartment and in the embassies OF
both neutral and belligerent countries
when | described the address OF Mr.
Wilson as having double purpose:
First-As a move in the peace
maneuvres, and
second-As the beginning of a move
ment. backed by the full force Of the
Administration and all Of Mr.. Wilson's
personal influence, TO convince the
American people that the time has
come 10 abandon the traditional policy
of isolation.
An editorial writer on "The New York
World" says that a Washington dis
match TO The Tribune last Wednesday
stating that Mr.. wilson's address was
looked upon in Entente circles as q
peace move in the interest of the Ger
mans "is, of course, untrue" and that
"nobody with an ounce Of brains be-
lieves the Presidents address was in
the interest of Germany" 1t is repeat
ed now that the Presidents speech OF
January % was and is looked upon in
Entente circles as a peace move in the
interest of the Germans.
Germans Think II Aids Them
Entente circles" in this instance in
cludes, by the way, great many mem
bers of the Senate and the House who
are admittedly friendly TO the cause OF
the Allies. II is not limited to French
men and Englishmen in Washington.
Some Of these men are willing TO
take at face value the Presidents ex-
planation that neither the note Of De-
cember IS nor the speech of January
- is a peace move. IL remains true
however. that as such both are regarded
The people who so regard the note and
the speech are generally believed "a
have the usual fifty-six ounces OF
brains.
1t may be added, also that the Ger
mans regard all of the Presidents &C
tivities OF note writing and speech max
ing upon peace as distinctly in the in
terest of their purpose 20 make peace
4o,,lnu~a m. <..ltsfs.a