Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-12-06

Washington, Dec. A definite state
ment to the world Of Americas war aims
and of the basis upon which peace will be
considered was made to-day by President
Wilson In an address to Congress In which
he urged immediate declaration Of a state
of war between the United States and
Austria Hungary-dermany's vassal and
tool. As to Turkey and Bulgaria-also
tools of the enemy-he counselled delay
because they do not yet stand in the
direct path Of our necessary action
TO WIN WAR IS OUR TASK.
To win the war. the President declared
in emphatic. and ringing tone. Is &he
immediate and unalterable task ahead. He
urged Congress, just beginning its second
war session, to concentrate itself upon
it.
The President sharply dismissed the
possibility Of premature peace. sought by
German intrigue and debated here by men
who understand neither its nature nor the
way It may be attained. With victory an
accomplished fact, he said, peace will be
evolved based upon mercy and JUSTICE
to enemy and frend-with hope of a
partnership of nations to guarantee future
world peace.
WHAT IT MEANS TO WIN.
1.-THE war will be deemed won," he de-
clared, when the German people say to
US through properly accredited representa-
tives. that they are ready to agree to a
settlement based upon justice and repara-
ton of the wrongs their rulers have done"
Terms of peace. he added. would not in
cludc Acknowledgement. robbery or punish
ment Of the enemy, but would be based
on justice. defined briefly as follows:
Freedom Of nations and their peoples
from autocratic domination. reparation to
Belgium, REIMBURSEMENT Of German power
over the people Of Austria. Turkey, the
free Balkan states, as we'll as evacuation
Of Prussian territorial conquests in Bel
GUM and northern France.
NO WRONG TO ANYBODY.
Emphasizing the purpose of the United
States not to interfere in the internal af-
fairs Of any nation. the President asserted
that no wrong against the German empire
was intended. and that there was no de-
sire to rearrange the Austro-Hngarian
empire. He said when he spoke eight
months ago Of the right of nations to free
access to the seas he had Austria. as well
as the smaller and weaker nations in
mind.
Appearing before Congress in joint ses-
sion for the hrst time since he asked for
the war declaration against Germany last
April the President was more than us
usually warmly greeted, and his speech
was received with enthusiastic applause
which grew tumultuous when he reached
the recommendation as to Austria. Dip
| iomats, justices OF the supreme court and
other high officials assembled on the floor
Joined in the demonstration.
The definition of war aims and peace
| terms, the most explicit ever voiced by
| the head Of any Of the great warning
powers, was accepted as the more sig
nificant because since his reply to the
| Pope's peace note the President has come
to be regarded more and more ms a spokes
man for all the nations fighting Germany
| BY advance arrangement the address:
| was made available for publication to
day in nearly every corner Of the globe
1t probably will not appear in full in thu
Teutonic press, but the papers of neutra
countries and the work Of allied aviator'
will get 1t to many Germans in unmu
tilated form.
NEW WAR DECLARATION SOON.
The request for a declaration of wa
with Austria met with virtually unani
nous approval and Congress tonight wa
prepared to give prompt response. Pass
age by the House on Thursday and b,
the Senate on Friday of the necessar
resolution was planned by the leaders
who began drafting the formal documen
; soon after the President finished speak
ing.
Strong sentiment in favor of includin
Turkey and Bulgaria in tho new wa
} declaration. in spite Of the President
counsel. was prevalent, but administra
ton leaders expected to curb It by point
, tng to Mr.. Wilson's declaration: wv
shall 20 wherever the necessities Of thi
war carry us. but II seems to me tina
, we should 20 only whore immediate an
l practical considerations lead us and M
. heed any others"