Evening star., 1917-01-22
Views of Officials,

with members of the House and SEN
ate.
Views of Officials.
Some officials thought Great Britain's
recent acceptance of the idea, expressed
IN the supplementary note from Foreign
Minister Balfour, had advanced the sit
uation to the point where the President
decided to address the Senate, where there
is decided divergence of opinion as to
whether the United States should abandon
its pollcy of isolation and enter into any
sort OF world league
1t was pointed out that Great Britain.
speaking obviously for her allies, made
tne acceptance of the plan in principle
complete, for Germany and her allies
accepted it in that manner in their
reply to President Wilson'S peace note
just before the receipt of Foreign
Mlnister Balfour's note President VIII
son told inquirers he had nothing on
the subject of peace to warrant an
appearance before Congress. His de-
clsion to address the Senate, coming
Almost Immediately after the receipt
OF Great Britain's note, led MANY Of
hcials to believe that it had been one
OF the determining factors
Suggests International Action.
The British note agreed that behind
international law and behind all treaty
arrangements for preventing or limit.
ing hostilities, some form of interna
tional sanction should be devised which
would give pause to the hardest ap-
gressor."
Germany. in her reply to the Presi-
aene t peace note. accepted the prfn-
clpie but expressed the opinion that
the great work for the prevention of
future wars can first be taken up only
after the ending of the present conflict
of exhaustion"
The imperial government is ready"
said the German note. when this noin+
has been reached. to cooperate with
the United States in this sublime task
Basis of World Peace Hinted.
Those who have been watching the
practical deadlock of the effort to get
both sets of belligerents to state terms
OF which some sort of peace negotia-
tions might be started have believed
for some time that the broad question
Of preserving world peace after the war
might provide the ground on which
some substantial progress might be
made, which at any time might develop
into situation which would actually
make for the ending of the war
Presidents next moves would be along
that line.
1t is realized on every hand that
proposal to engage the United States
by treaty or otherwise in agreements
with foreign nations will deyeIon the
greatest question and probably the
most spectacular contest in Congress
since the civil war.
Vice President Notifies Senate.
Vice President Marshall laid before
the Senate at II o'clock letter from,
President Wilson stating that he had
an important communication relating
to foreign affairs which he deemed it
his duty to lay before the Senate. and
which he would like TO present in per
son.
While Vice President Marshall said
he understood the President wished to
address the Senate on foreign relations.
some senator's said they had been in
formed he would speak on the Ieeis
lative program.
Vice President Marshall. on motion of
Senator Stone, appointed committee
of five senators to notify the President
the Senate would be glad to receive !
him at / o'clock, and later to escort him |
to the chamber. Senators Salisbury |
Stone Overman. Gallinger and Kenyon |
were named
The Presidents Letter.
President Wilson's letter. dated yes |
terday, was as follows:
my Dear Mr.. Vice President:
There is communication concern
ing the foreign relations of the country
which i think it my duty to make to
the Senate and which l would very
much like to make in person. l would |
be very much obliged If l might be af-
forded the opportunity to do so tomor-
row, the 22nd. il ii can be arranged
without inconvenience to the Senate.
Il know of no other than this in
formal way in which to convey this
wish to the senators. l have spoken to
Senator Stone. the chairman of the
committee on foreign relations, about
it. and have asked him to confer with
you.
Cordially and sincerely yours.
WOODROW WILSON"
The first reading of the Presidents
letter fouEd only half dozen senators
been secured Senator Gallinger. re-
publican leader. asked that 1t be read
again.
When the clerk had finished Senator
Gallinger said:
IT will venture to inquire Of the
chairman of the committee on foreign
relations whether or not, since II fs
matter touching our foreign relations.
we shall be addressed in executive or
open session.
ssIt n not n roafter an I understand '