The Washington herald., 1917-01-23

lery Mrs Wilson and Miss Helen Wood
row Bones smiled tenseIy over the
scene.
Declaring his belief that he owed II to
the Senate to disclose his Thought and
purpose the President outlined the dutv
of this government when II will be nec
essary to lay afresh and upon a new
plan the foundations Of peace among the
nations"
Reveals Role of America.
ut is inconceivable." he said, that tn.
people of the United States should pIay
no part in that great enterprise. They
cannot In honor withhold the service TO
which they are now about to be chal-
lenged. They do not wish to withhold II.
That service Is nothing less than this. 10
add their power and authority to the au-
thority and force of other nations To
guarantee peace and justice throughout
the world. Such a settlement cannot now
be long postponed. It is right that before
It comes this government should frankly
formulate the conditions upon which II
would feel justified in asking our people
to approve its formal and solemn adher-
ence to a league for peace"
As the President launched into the full
stream of his address the silence in the
Senate chamber became tense-almost
painfully SO. He spoke for nearly twenty
five minutes. The words fell from his
lips with the staccato. yet well-measured
precision that Congress has grown to
expect from him.
When the President finished. Senators
looked into each others eyes more in
bewilderment than astonishment. and
agreed it was the biggest shock and the
biggest sensation they had had In many
a long day. The Republicans applauded
freely, then retired to the cloakrooms to
scoff at the Presidents speech as Uto-
plan and academic; tho Democrats
clapped with ardor and declared with
Southern exuberance that the Pres
Ident's message, like the shot of the min-
ute-men at Concord, would certainly be
heard around the world"
Mrs. Wilson in Gallery.
Mrs. Wilson, accompanied by Miss
Helen Woodrow Bones, arrived Just be-
fore l o'clock and took a front seat in
the Presidents gallery
So many members of the House came
into the Senate chamber to hear the
Presidents address that the session be-
gan to assume the appearance of a Joint
session of Congress.
Despite the news that the President
would discuss foreign relations, the dip
lomatio gallery was almost deserted
Only two women were in it.
Large arm chairs were brought for
ward and placed in a semi-circle about
the Vice Presidents desk
President Wilson came into the Senate
chamber on the arm OF Senator Stone,
chairman OF the Foreign Relations Com
mittee, and followed by the other ssna-
tors appointed to greet HIM
In accordance with the Senate rule
against applause. he was received IN ST.
fence and throughout his address there
was no demonstration on the part of the
audience.
When the President ended hts speech
the Senate broke the applause rule and
Senators clapped their hands for a few
seconds
In the confusion following his address,
senators quickly formed in little groups
TO discuss the Presidents speech.
Inc PRESIDENT left the chamber irnme-
diately, on the arm of Senator Stone.
After the President had departed the
senate resumed debate on the legislativ.
appropriation bill No action was taken
in regard to the Presidents address.