Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-01-25
SEE GOOD AND BAD
IN WILSON SPEECH
Papers of Continental Europe
Are Divided Between
Praise and Blame.
EAUDED BY DR.. DERNBURG

By the Associated Press.
BERLIN. January %, via London.
January % (delayed).-The first I'M
preston made by President wilson's
speech before the Senate, as reflected
in newspaper editorials, is not an I'M
friendly one, although the President is
regarded as having brought up certain
points which the central powers find it
impossible to concede.
The night editions of the Lokal An
xeiger and the National Zeitung, the
former of which papers has repeatedly
shown a most friendly attitude toward
everything American. see in the entire
Wilson move impractical idealism ana
characterize the President as an ami
MATED theorist." The speech is called
q philosophical theological work com
posed of beautiful words which are inn
mediately dispelled in fog when an eff
Tort is made to discover a practical
meaning in them. The Anzeiger says,
in part:
The President of the United States
has not allowed the unfortunate result
of his first official steps peaceward TO
divert him from his ideas. since MS
efforts along practical lines fell upon
stony ground, he turns with the pas
sion of an enthusiastic theorist to the
discussion of ideas and principles
He has not succeeded in controlling
what is and will be. but with all the
greater energy he goes in for discus
sion of what should or might be. HIS
femarks to the Senate, even in their
outward form, in construction, Sentl-
ment and in the repeated reappearance
of philosophical and historical allu-
sions bear plainly the stamp of an
idealisdc work. But if their contents
are tested it is more and more sharply
recognizable that they lack apprecia-
zion not only of actual condition, but of
political possibilities
Thinks It Intended for Americans.
THE entire train of thought is intended
Yor American readers. Regarded from
3his standpoint it shows how thoroughly
americans lack an exact knowledge of
war conditions and the relations of the
-combatants when one set of opponents
have the wish to destroy the other. Pres
{dent Wilson showed that he does not I'M
sllerstand the full import of the entente
note. Likewise il is to be doubted wheth
Sr the entente and the large number of
their unquest.oned partisans in the United
States win agree enthusiastically with
President Wilson's speech.
: I'VE know only too well that their
dreams OF the end Of the war and its re-
quilt are quite different from Mr. Wilson's
dreams. The Presidents not entirely
clear remarks about the relations of peo-
pies to their governments are f1n Of
beautiful words, which are Immediately
dispelled in fog when effort is made to
discover in them a way leading to last
ing peace. However. such way may
differ as greatly from Mr.. Wilson's ideal
istic memorandum as hard reality differs
from this ideal,stic revery."
The National Zsitung carefully refrains
from agreeing or disagreeing with the
speech. but, after summarizing it, finds
that it viii displease the entente If they
accept its practical application. The Ma
tional Zeitung fears that President Will
Bon may be indulging in a vision OF a
people and state of government accord
Ing to the American standard. and. In
Rtubbornly adhering to this idea. may fail
to realize that other conceptions exist in
Europe.