The Mena weekly star., 1917-01-11
SENATE ENDORSES
 PRESIDENT WILSON
His Request for Statement of Peace Terms Approved by Vote of lS to 17-Warning by Senator
 Lewis.

Washington, Jan. 6.-Approval of President Wilson's request for a statement of peace terms from the European belligerents was voted last night by the Senate at the conclu- sion of three days of stirring debate. Action came with dramatic sudden ness, when Democratic leaders de- cided to accept a form of resolu- tion that would not commit the Senate to endorsement of the whole of the Presidents note and 10 Re- publicans and the Progressive group joined the majority in mak- ing the vote iS to t7.
 Senator Maritime of New Jersey was the only Democrat to vote in the negative.
 Discussion reached a climax with a sensational declaration by Senator Lewis, chief spokesman for the Democrats, replying to Republican criticism of the Presidents course. The senator said the United States could not keep out of the war if it continues, and that America would not again accept misconception of orders or zeal of an officer as an eX- cuse for an injury to a citizen or property
 The chief objection against the original resolution, offered by Sen atOr Hitchcock, was that it would endorse the presidents offer to join in a movement to guarantee world peace and his declaration of the in terest of the United States in small nations. Progressive Republicans joined Senator Lodge and others in this contention.
 The Compromise Resolution.
 The resolution adopted was pro- posed by Senator Jones, Republican. of Washington, and was accepted by Senator Hitchcock as a substitute for his own. It resolves:
 That the Senate approves and strongly endorses the request of the president in the diplomatic notes of December IS to the nations now en- gagged in war, that those nations state the terms upon which peace might be discussed"
 Fear |. :. Win Get in War.
 Let me say on my own authori- ty." said Senator Lewis, that agree with the sentiment expressed from any quarter, the secretary of state or anyone else (referring to Secretary Lansings first eXplana- ton of the presidents note to the powers that this war cannot con- linuc without America being in VolNed in the conflict
 Do you feel that the people of this nation are in such temper that they can ever again allow any com mander of ships, any captain of army, and officer of diplomacy. to visit upon this country an injury to a citizen or property and escape on an excuse of misconception of or ders or zeal of an officer?
 If these conditions again be re- peated America will not again ac- cept that form of apology and will resent and punish to the full extent of her power. No amount of logic or paciiication will prevail.
 T say continuance of the war means war with the United States and in this have never a doubt of the president of the United States and in the sagacious foresight of the officials of the administration in the effort looking to bring about peace with Europe that we might maintain peace in America
 Will anybody say that we fhave no interest in the terms of peace when we contemplate the aspect of the possibilities of our possessions passing into the hands of one or the other of the belligerents; when we consider that the Philippines may be in jeopardy at any time; that Ha-. waii may be threatened and we may be embarrassed in Alaskan"