The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-01-22

"dSAAA6tVu, Jdu. 5a@t t4A.- --1J111O0uI
Wilson, in q personal address to. the
senate today, laid down the question
Of whether the United States shall de-
part from its traditional policy Of iso.
lation and no entangling alliances ana
take part in world league to pre.
serve peace after the war. ..'~'
Shattering precedents of more than
a century, the president, regarding
the senate, with It's treaty making
power as his counsellor in foreign af.
fairs, explained why he believed the
time had come for the world to know
Americas position and discuss -un6sr-
lying causes on which he believes the
permanent peace Of the world can be
maintained. 90 r. -.
Sends Speech Abroad. @
While President Wilson was speak.
ing directly to the senate after the
manner of Washington, Jefferson and
Adams, his address was in the hands
Of all foreign governments or on ito
way to them. "'"''@ :
No such history making event With
such far reaching possibilities to tho
United States probably ever has been
seen in the senate chambers.
In the background, the fundamental
proposition of whether the United
States should alter its foreign policy
laid down by washington and carried
out by long line of presidents, was
the possibility that out Of some such
league of nations might come q way
to end the war. .
His Address.
The president spoke as follows:
Gentlemen of the senate:
"On the eighteenth of December
last, addressed identical notes to the
governments of the nations At war 70.
questing them to state more definite.
ly than had been stated by either
group Of the belligerents the term1
upon which they would deem it pos.
sible to make peace. spoke on be.
half Of humanity and Of the rights OF
all neutral nations like our own, many
of whose most vital interests the war
has put in constant jeopardy.
THE Central Powers united in q
reply which stated merely that they
were ready to meet their antagonists
in conference to discuss terms OF
peace.
THE Entente Powers have replied
much more definitely and have stated
in general terms, indeed, but with suf.
ficient definiteness to imply details,
the arrangements, guarantees and acts
Of reparation, which they deem to b
the indispensable condition OF Z sat-
isfactory settlement. -s,s.
I'VE are that much nearer a definite
discussion Of the peace which shall
end the present war We are that
much nearer to the discussion Of the
international concert which must
thereafter hold the world 1T peace.
In every discussion of the peace that
must end this war, 1t is taken foe
granted that that peace must be kivoo
by some definite concert Of power.
which shall make it virtually impoo-
sible that any such catastrophe shall
ever overwhelm US again. Every lov.
er Of mankind, every sane and thoaGhte
full man must take that for granted.
Il have sought this opportunity -
address you because I thought I oWo6
1t to you as the counsel associated
With me in the final determinatioa 6
our International obligations TO IL.
close to you without reserve, tAo
thought and purpose that has beoa
taking form in my mind in regard 70
the duty Of our government In 5tha0o
days to come when 1t will be nocoo-
sary to lay fresh and 4 new plaa Dpr
the foundation of peace among 10
nations.
.. Must Play Part.
1T is inconceivable that the peop1o
Of the United States should play %
part in that great enterprise. To t01o
part, such service will be the oppor.
tunity for which they have soQght 70
prepare themselves by the very nh
ciples and purposes Of theif pooicy,
and TIE spproyed practices - t1nR
(Coati1oe1 o fs0s Tlaoa5