New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-23
PROMINENT MEN
DIFFER In VIEWS
ON WILSON'S PLAN
President Will Have Unit
ed Support of People,
Says Prof. StOwell
DIR. F. H. GIDDINGS
FEARS MISTAKES
May Be Only Preaching a
Peace Sermon, Opinion
of Prof. Beard


Men of prominence in public affairs
Of New York who were asked By The
Tribune to state their opinions OF
President Wilson's speech before the
United States Senate yesterday OK
pressed divergent opinions. Some were
disposed to admire the courage OF the
chief Executive and to hope that MS
action would have favorable results.
Less optimism was expressed by
others who felt that the Presidents
statement would cause harsh criticism
abroad. That the step was one when
could have no adverse results ana
which might be of inestimablc value
as a step toward permanent peace was
another view.
Back President, Says Stowell
Ellery c. Stowell, associate professor
of international law at Columbia UNI"
versty, said:
president Wilson is acting for the
American people in his official and re-
sponsible position as representative OF
the nation, and he has made declara-
ton of the utmost Importance at most
critical moment. He is speaking TO the
representatives of the American people,
but his voice is intended TO carry across
the sea.
The President, in the exercise of his
functions under his great responsible
itv. has committed the American gov
eminent to a momentous step. Whether
il succeed or not will depend, in first
instance, upon the support which IL
shall receive from the American people.
81 believe in this crisis while all the
other governments are acting as unit
the American people should stand back
of the President and make him feel
that ne speaks for united country,
and | am not willing, at this time, TO
raise any objections, as | might
have done. had the probable terms of
the message been discussed before 1t
was definitely set forth.
"The only possibility Of accomplish
ing any part of the Presidents pro-
gramme must depend upon the united
support of the American people. Every
citizen should stand by him as the re-
sponsible spokesman OF the country
After such an expression Of confidence
il will then be possible, at a later date,
10 discuss in detail the various mat
tcrs contained in the Presidents mes
sage. =,
zone sentence above all others in his
message ! believe ought to be singled
out: only a peace between equal. can
last"
Seeks Motive Behind Speech
Professor Charles/ Austin Beard,
head of the department of politics in
Columbia, said:
81 can't understand why President
Wilson is doing this, unless he has
some information from one or both Of
the parties 10 the war that authorizes
him TO prepare the world for some
thing that is coming. If he is just TAX
ing the initiative and acting for him
self. can't understand his motives
at all
"in 1905. when Roosevelt offered
mediation between Russia and Japan,
he did so at the solicitation OF Japan,
which was about bankrupt. IL may be
that one or the other of the contest
ants in Europe has approached Mr..
Wilson and asked him TO prepare the
way for something. If so, his note IS
intelligible: otherwise, ! do not un-
derstand its purpose.
"As 60 the contents Of the speech.
there is nothing specific, except about
Poland. The general principle is stated
that no peace can last which does not
recognize the principle that govern
ments derive all their just powers
from the consent Of the governed.
When you apply that principle in de-
tail. what does IL mean? Does It mean
an independent Ireland? What about
Alsace-Lorraine What about Bb-
hemia? What about Croatia and the
scores of little nationalities in the
Balkans? What about India? What
about Hayti and Santo Domingo, where
the United States is ruling according
to President Wilson's orders?
Arouses Confusion
Don't you see that We have here a
broad general principle that arouses
nothing but confusion when you begin
TO apply it in detail
at will be simply impossible to un-
scramble the eggs or European ma,
tionalities. especially in Austria ana
Hungary. the Balkans and the Russian
Empire. which is also conglomera.
ton Of nationalities. When you get
right down to applying President VIII
sons doctrine in detail, what does 1t
mean?
"There is one thing that strikes me
about this message. Is 1t veerlng tow
ard the principles laid down IN the Al
lies last note little bit? IL strikes
me that it Is.
THAT free outlet TO the sea-what
does that mean? Does that mean that
Russia is 70 have outlet at CONSTANT
NOBLE? That Germany is to have an
outlet through Belgium"
"The document is very general-not
much of basis for negotiation. I'm
less the President is acting on the
basis of some information which he
has received from one or the other
contesting party, he is Just preaching
a sermon-just sermon"
DR.. Franklin II. Giddings, professor
of sociology and the history of civ
ilization in Columbia, said:
There is a great deal in President
WILSON'S words that like. and that |
think the country will like, and
L. l.