The Washington times., 1917-01-25
Considers Speaking Tour in
Behalf of World League
Project.
READY TO MEET ARGUMENT
Many Officials Expect Strong
est Opposition to Come From
German Sources.

President Wilson is understood to
have under consideration going be-
fore the country in a series of speak
ing engagements for the purpose OF
converting public opinion to a sup
port of his ideas regarding world
league to enforce peace.
The President is said to feel that
a united public approval in this coun-
try of the plan which he laid before
the Senate on Monday is essential to
its success He realizes, 1t is stated,
that he has laid himself open to criti-
cism and desires to meet that criti-
cism.
Should he decide to follow this
course, 1t is thought probable that
he will arrange to make an extended
tour OF the country after Congress
adjourns, much after the fashion of
his tour last winter In behalf OF pre-
paredness legislation.
VIII strike At Many.
The President fully appreciates, 1t
is stated, that his proposal that the
United States should, under certain
specified conditions, enter into a com
pact with the powers OF Europe for
the maintenance OF future peace, will
tional American policy of aloofness,
as revolutionary, but is willing to
meet'the argument on the ground that
the present war has demonstrated
that the United States cannot longer
maintain claim to isolation from world
affairs.
The Presidents advisers are frank
ly gratified over what they regard
as the noticeably tempered comment
on his speech thus far expressed In
the English and French press. There
are at least several of them who pre-
dict that after careful study has been
given to all phases of the utterance
the most hostile criticisms are likely
to come from German, rather than
entente sources. For this view Of
ficials cite that practically the only
goal left to Germany as a prize from
the war is the purpose of her states
men, if possible, to be left in a posi-
ton where they can control affairs in
the Balkans.
Give Up Belgium.
1t is pointed out that in the re-
ports that have already emanated
from German quarters concerning
the probable peace terms OF the Teu-
tonic group, an entire willingness
has been expressed to give up Bel
GUM, evacuate the occupied terri
tory in northern France, and to rec
ognize the autonomy of Poland. But
in all the reports, it is observed, the
statement has been made that mat
tiers affecting the Balkan small
states should be left to adjustment
i'm a peace conference. AS many
Washington officials see 1t, German
domination in southeastern Europe
is essential to the aims OF the Ber-
lin statesmen.
That being the case, it is argued,
the Presidents pronunciamento i'm
plying his wish to see the peoples of
Serbia, Montenegro and other small
states of the southeast, and partlcu-
larry MS implied suggestion that
Russia shall be given an opening
through the Decentralization Dy
cession of territory or by neutraliza-
tion of outlets-may be expected 70
raise considerable opposition in Ger
many.
Embassy Is Careful.
While the first expressions in Ger
man circles regarding the Presidents
speech were generally favorable, the
German embassy has been extremely
careful to avoid predicting the proba-
BILE reception at Wilhelmstrasse. And
even among the ambassadors
friends comment is growing more
reserved. They are awaiting word
from Berlin.
In still another direction are Wash
ington officials turning in their justi-
fcation of the Presidents course.
With regard to his proposal for a
world alliance to maintain peace, they