The Lamar register., 1917-01-31
SENATOR REED RIDlCULES THE
PEACE IDEA OF WILSON
PrepOsterous and Impossible, and VIII
BE Laughing Stock OF the World,
Missouri Democrat Declares

Washington, January Ex-senator
James A. Reed Of Missouri, who sew
eral times in the past has baked at
swallowing parts Of the Wilson pro
gram, in an interview yesterday plac-
ed himself in direct opposition to the
president on his peace plan and sharp
ly assailed it. Senator Reed is the
one democratic senator who up to this
time has voiced his opposition to the
presidents plan.
The presidents recommendations
Ii his address to the senate last Mon
day will, | fear, when they become
understood IN all their enormity make
him ridiculous before the country and
before the world" said Senator Reed.
Il have opposed so many things that
l have hesitated to put myself in open
opposition to the president, but l am
going to have TO say lhe things
have said to you sooner or later on
the floor Of the senate.
Il believe that the president has in
jured himself irretrievably in a poll
tical way. The injury he has done
mis- party by his impossible sugges-
tions remains to be seen. 1t Will be
measured by the extent to which the
party leaders in the senate yield sub
mission to his views.
Il do not believe that the present
silence on the subject will long exist.
Gradually people are beginning 10
realize what the president meant.
Gradually senators in the democratic
cloakroom are beginning to express
their disgust and open rebellion
against the program.
why, exclaimed Senator Reed, hold
ing up his hands deprecatingly, "let Us
analyze this proposal for q moment
and see to what it will lead US. We
offer to agree to enter into an ar
rangement with the monarchs Of
Europe, placing in their hands the
power to call out our armies at their
will Who is to command this great
army that is to police the universe 2
Some one should have asked that
question in the course of the debate
today when Senator Shafroth was
talking about the international tri-
Dunal whose decrocs were to be back
ed up by military force. Who is to
be the general? Win he be the leader
Of some European power? The United
States will have but one voice in the
council. It might be that the emperor
Of Japan will select the leader Of this
army TO enforce peace"
Senator Reed directed attention To-
another phase Of the presidents pro
posals, which would guarantee the
territorial integrity Of the smaller
nations-all nations, in fact.
That means, if it means anything
remarked Senator Reed, that the ter
ritory Of Turkey must be preserved
in its integrity; that Liberia must BE-
preserved. And we, a republic, are
to be pledged to fight to preserve it.
at may happen that revolts may
occur in some of these countries, as
there have before, and people, SICK
and tired of the existing conditions,
may decide to throw off the yoke.
'Where will we appear in that case
viii the United States be called in to
use its armed forces to preserve the
tottering dynasty from dismember-
ment and guarantee the territorial
integrity? Why it is preposterous. It
is the limit. 1t should shock every
liberty loving citizen and l predict
that when it is understood the pres
idents popularity will suffer beyond
repair.
81 expect to have more to say about
it later in the open senate, but this
will suffice for the present to indi-
cate the trend Of my feelings"