The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1917-01-22
No Such Event in History
Ever Fraught With Such
Far Reaching Possibilities
as Executives Proposal.
PRECEDENTs SHATTERED
Foreign Nations INFORMED Of
Address Before Wilson Ap-
pears in Senate,

w hpI1liNNlON, jail. SS.-~
President Wilson, in a personal
address to the senate today,
laid down the question Of
whether the United States shall
depart from its traditional
policy of isolation and no en-
tangling alliances, and take
part in world league to pre-.
serve peace after the war.
No Such Event Before.
No such history-making event
with such far-reaching posi-
bilities to the United States
probably ever had been seen
in the senate chamber.
Shattering precedent Of more
than a century, the president.
regarding the senate with its
treaty-making power az his
councillor In foreign affairs,
explained why he believed the
time had come for the world
to know Americas position ana
discussed the underlying causss
on which he believes q per.
manent peace of the world can
be maintained.
4 Address 10 Foreign Nations.
While President Wilson was
speaking directly to the sena-
tors, after the manner Of
Washington, Madison and
Adams, his address was in the
hands of all foreign governs
ments or on its way TO them.
In the background of the
fundamental proposition of
whether the United States alter
the foreign policy laid down by
Washington and carried out by
a long line Of presidents was
the possibility that out Of some
such league Of nations mirht
come a way to end the present
war.
Time TO Inform Senate.
Although no official explanation a
the president, precedent breakinr nc.
t'on was given in advance il became
known to Senator Stone, Chairman a
the foreign relations committee. and
other senators in touch with ioreim AZ.
fairs that the president felt the time
had come when the senate. which is
clothed with the treaty making power
should be informed of the status OF the
movement to bind the nations together
IN some sort OF league to prevent re-
curcnce of war.
Great Britain's Acceptance.
Some officials thought Great Britaina
recent acceptance Of the idea expressed
m the supplementary note from Foyeism
Minister Balfour had advanced the III.
uation to the point where the president
decided TO address the senate, where
there is decided divergence Of opinion
as to whether the United States should
abandon its policy Of isolation and en-.
ter into any sort Of I world less,,e. Y
II was pointed out that Great Britain
speaking obviously Tor her slIies. m,do
the acceptance Of the plan IN principlo
complete. for Germany and hes s)jiao
accepted Il IN that manner ii their sopjy
to President Wilson's peaee noee. Jues
before the receipt OF FOREIGN Ninis(ss
Balfour's note President Wilsoa tojh
inquirers he had nothing On the suA}ecS
OF peace to warrant On speeasanee ~
fore congress His decision 70 sddeeoo
the senate coming almost iumedis(sly
after the receipt of Great Bsilain's ss>s
led many officials 10 believe stai 4
had been one Of TIE detemaaine iaesuss.
csunitsss Nansa
Vice PresiAsnt NsssAsli On moeiss
Of Senator S>ooe appolMted . esuvusits
tee Of five seRsters 10 Weeiiy ~ oepsss
dent the senate wuuld h alod . ~
ceive him q u'clock snd Ieles - ~
cort him 10 ~ ehambes. Seaolsso
SauIsbury. S(ene. Ovsrmaa. Csllko01G
and Kenyon vVss Maasd y 80
Pvesld1si WllDoai lulaef, l6ssi SsDf
day. was - (S(lGNS; 'a "A \,
olsoo lu1oouoG i{|
my Dear NJ VIZ tsoullak, N
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