Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-01-23
WILSON'S PEACE
LEAGUE PLEA


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the administration beyond the poss
blilty of referring the message to tn
foreign relations committee for col
slderation. There are only six week
OF the life of the present congress LET
and unless the President brings extra
ordinary pressure to bear the speed
doubtless will remain in committee.
/ II is an open secret that anythin,
tlnsed with the suggestion inyolyin,
the country in an entangling allianc,
is regarded with suspicion by men O
all parties in the senate. An elemen
OF demand in the senate which can
not De ignored is known TO be fatl,
opposed to the plan of an information
al league OF nations to enforce peace
Speculation among diplomats here
is revolving chiefly about how far the
president is determined to 20 witt
his plan. and the exact meaning ot
parts OF his address. Diplomatic rem.
resentatives OF the Entente nations
are chiefly concerned with the mean.
ing OF the statement by President vii.
son that peace in Europe must be
peace without victory"
The administration is expecting and
preparing to meet critics from MANY
quarters on the startling stand out.
lined by President Wilson Yesterday
This criticism has begun to be heard
already.
London Analyses Address.
London. Jan. 23.-Early editions of
'he London papers today adopted a
cautious tone in commenting upon
President Wilson's peace league
speech. 1t was generally agreed that
the document called for the deepest
before its full meaning could
be determined.
In some OF the editorials there is a
note OF praise, but in others there is
disposition to believe that the Amer
lean Prsident spoke too soon. There
Is unanimous approval of the motive
which inspired Mr.. Wilson in his his.
-oric utterance.
That President Wilson has taken
The world lead into the movement TO
md the war and prevent all future
vars is established beyond all cues.
ion.
The Daily Mail, the most radical of
he Northcliffe papers says that the
Wilson, address lis largely an abstract
statement on future inter.
Iational morality
There is note of resentment all the
way thru the Daily Mails comment.
IN the other hand the Times sees the
disability for success in the Ameri-
an Presidents ambitious scheme.
he Times comments with caution.
aging:
Its language has evidently been
-eighed with so much nicely and care
lat premature comment might over.
'ok or niisinterpret the precise shade
meaning which particular passages
re intended to bear
Altho the Presidents address is in |
lie nands of the British. Russian and {
rehch governments. the press com.
tent is the only indication SO far as ,
now the peace league plan will be
'ceived by the Chancellors of those
10 Great Britain there Is a some 7
nat Earring note in the reference to ,
e freedom of the seas, altho writer's
INT out 1t is not yet certain what ;,
r. Wilson precisely meant when he ),
Id that every great people should y
assured of direct outlet to the sea, a
not by cession Of territory. then by M
Of right of way.
Again the view Is taken here thar
ere is a certain vagueness about
'rld-wlde Monroe doctrine, altho it
generally accepted as meaning thai s.
country shall be allowed to on.
oach upon the territory OF any 9th.
The suggestion of the limitation of
Armaments has already been pro.
SEQ and 1t is generally conceded
re that 1t meets with the approval in
most OF the warning powers. If not dc
-, be
or rot President Wilson be
leves that neither group of allies in
achieve decisive victory is not &c
own, but 1t is pointed out that TO,
re is a certain significance in his an
tum that ii must be peace without Of
tory so that no future resentmen, Oh
III remain. of
declared to be of equal significance a
that section saying that the future VIII
st accept the principle that govern. TN,
hts receive all their Just powers mc
m the consent of the governed. nm
1T would establish the principle of fer
nocracy in countries where it does An,
exist, 1t is asserted. be,
or some time there have been da,
'nings in the United States that hol
country might have to 20 to war co,
ore many more years have elapsed. Ma
S has given rise to certain trend mn
thought here towards the belief con
President Wilson is aiming to anf
TX up any hostile combination of viii
ish countries that nave designs ere