Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1917-01-31
PRESIDENT WILSON'S MASTERLY PEACE MESSAGE
TELLS WARNING NATIONS HOW PEACE CAN BE SECURED
AND MAINTAINED.

| uenC WILSON uellVeTeu peace meSSaSl
to the Senate, which is being studied
and commented upon by the peopl,
Of all the nations of the earth. Tn,
message has been immune to censor
ship; it is the only peace statement
since the commencement Of the wal
that the censors of all the warning ma
lions have allowed to be printed ant
freely circulated everywhere.
Shatterrng precedent of more than q
century, the president, regarding the
senate with its treaty-making power as
his counsellor in foreign affairs, ex'
planned why he believed the time had
come for the world to know Americas
position, and discussed the underlying
causes on which he believes q perma-
nent peace of the world can be main
tanned.
In closing the president said
Il am proposing, as it were, that the
nations should with one accord adopt
the doctrine of President Monroe as
the doctrine of the world"
While President Wilson was speak
Ing directly to the senators, after the
manner Of Washington, Madison and
Adams, his address was in the hands
OF all foreign governments or on Its
way to them.
In the background of the fundamen-
tai proposition of whether the United
States should alter its foreign policy,
laid down by Washington and carried
out by long line of presidents, was
the possibility that out Of some such
league of nations might come way to
end the present war.
For nearly half hour the president
spoke, with members of the senate,
members of the cabinet, and packed
galleries listening with rapt attention.
When he concluded there was ire
me9dous burst Of applause in which
many of the Republican senator's Joined
the Democrats.
When the president had finished and
the senate returned to its regular bust
ness, Senator La Toilette epitOmized
the sentiment Of all present by say
ing:
1--WE have just passed through very
important hour in the life of the
world"
Briefly, the president in his address
sold that he believed no peace which
was q peace Of victory in the present
war would be permanent peace and
that it must be taken for granted that
peace 'must be followed by some def
mite concert of power which will make
Il virtually impossible that any such
should ever overwhelm us
again."
The Fresidents Address.
The text Of the presidents address
was in part as follows:
Gentlemen Of the Senate: On the
18th Of Decepber last addressed 90
dentic note to the governments OF the
nations now at war. requesting them
10 state, more definitely than had yet
been stated by either group of hellig-
srents, the terms upon which they
would deem 1t possible to make peace.
spoke on behalf Of humanity and Of
The rights Of all neutral nations like
'sses s.a IS Rs'' s s,ss' e
Jeopardy.
1.-THE central powers united In re-
ply which stated merely that they were
ready to meet their antagonists In con-
terence to discuss terms Of peace.
'.rhe entente powers have replied
much more definitely and have stated
II general terms indeed, but with SUI
icient defniteness to imply details, the
guarantees and acts of
which they deem to be the
indispensable conditions of a satisfac-
tory settlement.
1--WE are that much nearer definite
of the peace which shall
end the present war. We are that
much nearer the discussion of the in
concert which must there
litter hold the world at peace.
Must Prevent Future Wars.
In every discussion Of the peace
that must end this war 1t Is taken for
granted that that peace must be given
~ some definite concert of power
which will make 1t virtually impos-
dble that any such catastrophe should
,ver overwhelm us again. Every lover
# mankind, every sane and thoughtful
nan must take that for granted.
Il have sought this opportunity to
address you because thought that
,wed it to you, as the council asso-
dated with me In the final determine
ion Of our international obligations, to
disclose to you. without reserve, the
thought and purpose that have been
:aking form in my mind in regard to
he duty OF our government In these
lays Of come, when 1t will be neces-
,ary to lay afresh, and upon q new
plan, the foundations Of peace among
he nations.
People Of United States Must Aid.
1T is inconceivable that the people
Of the United States should play no
part in that great enterprise. To take
part in such service will be the op-
portunity for which they have sought
to prepare themsaves by the very prin=
,iples and purposes Of their policy and
The approved practices of their. gov
srpment ever since the days when they
yet UP a new nation In the high and
honorable hope that 1t might In all
thot 1t was and did show mankind the
way to liberty.