The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-01-06
WILSON'S PEACE
NOTE ENDORSED
SENATE TAKES ACTION
AFTER LONG DEBATE
Ham" Lewis Causes Sensa-
tion by Statement That us.
Cannot Keep Out of War.

WASHINGTON. Jan. 5-Approval 81
President Wilson's request for state
ment Of peace terms from the Euro
pean belligerentS was voted tonight os
the Senate at Hle conclusion OF three
days Of stirring debate. Action came
with dramatic suddenness when Dem
ocratic leaders decided 10 accept q
form of resolution that would not com
NIT the Senate to endorsement OF tne
whole Of the Presidents note, ana zen
Republicans OF the Progressive group
joined the majority in making the vote
4S to II.
Senator MARITIME. of New Jersey. was
the only Democrat TO vote IN the neg
ative.
Discussion of the subject had reach
ed q climax during the day with q sen
sational declaration by Senator LEWIS
chief spokesman for the Democrats,
replying to Republican criticism OF the
Presidents course. Without referring
directly to the submarine controfersy
the senator said the United states
could not keep out Of the war II II con
tinued, and that America would not
again accept misconception OF orders
or zeal Of an officer as an excuse for
an injury to a citizen or property.
The chief objection urged against
the original resolution offered by Sen
ator Hitchcock was that it would en-
dorse the Presidents offer to JOIN ~
q movement to guarantee "orlu peace
and his declaration Of the interest ol
the United States. in small naIionS
Progressive Republicans joined Sena'
tor Lodge and others IN TINS conten'
tion.
The resolution adopted was propos,
ed by Senator Jones. republican: OF
Washington, and was accepted ny sen
ator Hitchcock as SUBSTITUTE LOT HIS
own. 1t resolves:
That The Senate approves ana
strongly endorses the request BY me
President in the diplomatic notes VI
December eighteenth to the nations
now engaged in war. that those ma
tions state the terms upon "nlch
peace might be discussed.
Ended The Debate
The compromise ended debate whcn
il appeared certain thar action "ousu
be deferred until tomorrow. ana soon
after Senator Eorah had begun Wig
orous speech against the original res
olution. There had been startling as
sertions from both sides Of the cham
her during the day, though none al'
tracted such attention as that or SEN
ator Lewis in closing the arSulneht I's
the Hitchcock resolution.
Let me say on my own authority;
said Senator Lewis. that | agree with
the sentiment expressed from any
quarter. The Secretary of State or any
one else (referring 10 Secretary LanS'
ing's first explanation OF the PreSl'
dents note to~the powersl. that TINS
war cannot continue without America
beinS involved in the conflict.
DO you feel that the people OF inns
nation a:c in such temper that tney
can ever again allow any commander
of si,ips. any captain or army. any OF
ficer OF diplomacy to visit upon thls
couniry an injury TO Il citizen or prop
ertv and escape on an excuse OF mtS'
conception of orders or zeal OF an ohl'
cero
III these conditions again be repeak
ed America will not again accept thai
form pf apology and will resent and
punish 10 the full extent Of her power
No amount OF logic or pacltlcatlon
would prevail.
AZ say, continuance OF the "ar
means war with tho United States,
and in this have never doubt OF
the comprehension OF the. United
States and faith in the sagaclouS fore
sight Of the officials OF the adlmlnls'
tration in the effort looking TO orlng'