Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-01-23
Presidents Address
to Senate ON Monday

Washington. Jan. 22.--The President
N MS personal address to the Senate
Monday spoke as follows:
Gentlemen Of the Senate: On the
fsth ~ December last I introduced an
.d,ntlr note to the governments of the
ns,ious now AZ war. requesting them to
,atc more definitely than there had yet
hcn stated by either group of belliger
,nts me terms upon which they would
dscrn " possible to make peace. I spoke
IN half of humanity and of the rights
81 ali neutral nations like our own,
many nr whose most vital interests the
vsr puts IN constant jeopardy.
Tho central Powers united in a re-
tIy Witch stated merely that they were
ready tp meet their antagonists in con-
hr.u,, to discuss terms of peace.
Th, Entente powers have replied
ma,h moro definitely and have stated.
= general terms. indce d. but with suf-
feient dchuitcness to imply details. the
srrangements. guarantees and acts of
rcparation which they deem to be the
spcnsablc conditions of a satisfac-
tory settlement
To Preserve Peace
We arc that much nearer a definite
discussion of the peace which shall end
ne present war. W. are that much
marcr the discussion of the Interna-
llonal concert which must thereafter
lold the world at peace. In every dis
uIssion of the peace that must end
Ais war 1T is taken for granted that
nat peace must be followed by some
aehnttc concert of power which will
make IL virtually impossible that any
such catastrophe should ever over
Rhcln us again.
Etcry lover of mlnkind. every sane
snd thoughtful man must take that for
granted
4 have sought this opportunity to
address YOU because I thought that ]
need Il 10 you as the council associat-
"a with me in the final determination
II our international obligations. to dis
close 10 YOU without reserve, the
thought and purpose that have been
Dakng form in my mind in regard to
lho duty OF our government IN these
DAYS 60 come when it will be necessary
'1 Iay afrcsh and upon a new plan the
foundations OF peace among the ma
tons
Americans Must Play Part
N is inconccivable that the people
NJ the United States should play no
part IN that great enterprise. 10 take
part I'm such a service will be the OPP
portunity for which they have sought
70 prepare themselves by the very prin-
cipcs and purposes Of their polity ana
Tho approved practices of their govern
ment. ever since the days when they
set up new nation in the high and
honorable hope that il might in all that
h was and did show mankind the way
70 liberty. They cannot. in honor, with
hold tho service TO which they are now
about 60 be challenged. They do not
wish To withhold It, But they owe 1t
NJ themselves and TO the other nations
II The world to state the conditions un-
dcr which they will feel free TO render
II
Tha, service is nothing less than
his-ro add their authority and their
p"Ntr 10 the authority and force or
'ih4r nations TO guarantee peace ana
Justice throughout the world. Such
settlement cannot now be long post
pYncd N is right that before II comes
'h'v government shoted frankly forum
ia'r me conditions upon which it WOULD
fc,l Justified in asking our people TO
approve It's formal and solemn adher-
tr.f a. q league for peace. am mere
~ attcmpt to state those conditions.
The present war must first be end
but VIC owe it to candor ana TO
Ins' regard for the opinion of mankind
'o way that so far as our participation
~ guarantees Of future peace is con-
''rncd " makes Il great deal OF diner
'hce IN what way and upon what terms
" Is ended The treaties and agree
m'nts which bring IL TO an end must
'hhody terms which will create a peace
mat Is worth guaranteeing and preserV-
ing peace that will win the approval
" mankind not merely peace that will
"rN' the several interests and imme'
WA" aims Of the nations engaged. We
N'ii have no voice In determining what
muse terms shall be. but we shall, ]
'''l sure. have voice in determining
"h't NOR they shall be made lasting or
ny ny inc guarantees of universal
covenant and our judgment upon what
" fundamentally essential as a condi-
"'h precedent 10 permanency should be
'poAen now, not afterwards. when II
may BE- too late.
Americas Sort Of Peace
No covenant OF cooperative peace
'hat does not include the people of the
new world can suffice to keep the future
ssie after war, and yet there is only
one sort Of peace that the peoples OF
'herica could join In guaranteeing.
me elements of that peace must bt
dement's that engage the confidence
ana satisfy the principles of the Amer
Van governments. elements consisten
Win their political faith and the prac'
ucai convictions which the peoples o.
america have once for all embraced
ma undertaken to defend.
40 not mean to say that an,
AAsrtcan sgcvernment would Throw
~ obstacle In the way OF any terms
III fcn0AtasaoA - Oa0a -col.f q