Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1917-12-07
President Urges War On Austria.


Immediate declaration of war against
Austria-Hungary was recommended to Con-
sress on Tuesday last by President Wilson
in his annual message to Congress.
His same logic would lead also to dec
laration of war against Turkey and Bull
earia, but they are the mere tools of
Germany and do not yet stand in a direct
path Of our necessary action, he said.
The President said our present and i'm
mediate path is to win the war. and moth
ing shall turn him aside from it until it is
accomplished.
Peace, the President declared, could come
only when the German people make it
through rulers the world can trust; when
they make reparation for the destruction
their present rulers have wrought, and
when Germany recedes from all the terri
tory acquired by armed conquest.
Avid demonstration, which lasted about
thirty seconds. greeted the Presidents
recommendation that Austria Hungary be.
declared in state of war. Senators and
representatives arose in their seats and
applauded vigorously. while visiting men,
bers of the diplomatic corps smiled as they
applauded.
Those who desire to bring about peace
before that purpose is achieved should
carry their advice elsewhere. he warned.
I'VE will not entertain il" he said. I'VE
shall regard the war as won only when
the German people say to US through
properly accredited representatives that
they are ready to agree to a settlement
based upon justice and the reparation Of
the wrongs their rulers have DONE"
"A supreme moment of history has
come" declared the President. THE eyes
Of the people have been opened and they
see. The hand Of God is laid upon the
nations. He will show them favor. de-
voutly believe, only If they rise to the
clear height Of His own justice and mercy"
He said he did not wish in any way to
impair or to reanange the Austro- Hunga-
rian empire. He hoped to secure for the
peoples Of the Balkan peninsula and for
the people Of the Turkish empire the right
and opportunity to make their own lives
safe. their own fortunes secure against
oppression or injustices and from the die
tation of foreign courts or parties.
He said no wrong is intended against
the German empire. no interference with
inf of
either the one or the other absolutely I'M
justifable, absolutely contrary to the prin-
ciples we have professed to live by, and
to hold most sacred throughout our life as
a nation"
Germany's declaration that she is fight
ing war Of self-defense against deliber-
ate aggression. the President in ringing
words, declared "wantonly false" and he
reiterated anew that no one is threatening
the existence Of the independence of the
peaceful enterprise Of Germany. OF those
who speak of peace without the overthrow
Of German military autocracy, the Presi-
dent declared:
Il hear men debate peace who under
stand neither its nature nor the way in
which we may attain it with uplifted eyes
and unbroken spirits. But ! know that
none of these speaks for the nation. They
do not touch the heart Of anything. They
may safely be left to strut their uneasy
hour and be forgotten"
Declaring anew that the United States
has no war on Germany's skill, enterprise
or commercial achievements. the Presi.
dent declared the United States became
Germany's enemy only when she started
out to dominate the world by force Of
arms.
Starting anew the objects of the United
States and those which he believed to b.
those Of the allies. the President declared
II believe that speak for them when
say two things: First. that this intolerabl,
thing Of which the masters of German,
have shown us the ugly face. this menac,
of combined intrigue and force which W,
now see so clearly as the German power
A Thing without conscience or honor o
capacity for covenanted peace must b,
crushed, and, If it be not utterly broueh
to an end. at least shut out from tn,
friendly intercourse of the nations.
"And, second, that when this thing anC
its power are indeed defeated and the tim,
comes that we can discuss peace-wher
the German people have spokesman who's,
word we can believe, and when those spokes
men are ready in the name of their peopl
to accept the common judgment of tn
nations as to what shall henceforth be tn
bases Of law and Of covenant for the lif
Of the world-we shall be willing and gla,
to pay the full price for peace. and pa!
1t ungrudginely. We know what that pric,
will be. 1t will be full, impartial Justice
justice done at every point and to ever,
nation that the final settlement must affect
our enemies as well as our friends"