The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1917-01-26
ADDRESS STIRS
UP THE SENATE
Wilson Would Enter Worlds
Peace League. I
SENATORS EXPRESS VIEWS

dress to the senate-commen on
the Message.
Washington. Jan. 23.-Whet1er this
United States shall enter a World
Peace league, and, as many contend,
thereby abandon its traditional policy
OF isolation and no entangling alli-
ances, was laid squarely before con
gress and the country by President
Wilson in a personal address to the
senate.
For the first time in more than 100
years a president of the United
States appeared in the senate cham
Der to discuss the nations foreign re-
lations, after the manner of Washing
ton. Adams and Madison. The effect
was to leave congress, all official
quarters and the foreign diplomats
amazed and bewildered Immediate
ly there arose a sharp division OF
opinion over the propriety as well as
the substance of the presidents pro-
posal
Startling" Staggering" "astouud-
ing" the "noblest utterance that has
fallen from human lips since the Dec
laration Of independence" were
among the expressions of senator's.
The president himself, after his ad-
dress, said: 81 nave said what every
body has beel longing for, but has
thought impossible. Now it appears
to be possible"
The chief points of the presidents
address were: That a lasting peace
in Europe can not be a peace of vic
be followed by a definite concert Of
power to assure the world that no
catastrophe of war shall overwhelm
1t again; that in such a concert Of
power the United States can not
withhold its participation to guaran-
tee peace and justice throughout the
world; and that before a peace is
made, the United States government
should frankly formulate the condi-
tions upon which it would feel jdsti-
fled in asking the American people
for their formal and solemn adner-
ence.
mo Breach In Traditions.
"It is clear to every man who
thinks" the president told the senate
that there Is in this promise no
breach in either our traditions or our
policy as a nation. but fulfillment
rather of all that we have professed
OF striven for I am proposing tnat
all nations henceforth avoid entan-
Cling alliances which would draw
them into competition of power, catch
them in a net of intrigue and selfish
rivalry, and disturb their own affairs
with influence intruded from witho 1t.
There is no entangling alliance in a
concert OF power"
Back of the fundamental proposal
for some sort of international sapc-
tion for preservation of the futnle
peace of the world, now already ac-
cepted in principle by both sets of
belligerents in their replies to Presi
dent Wilson's peace note lies the poe
sibility, which the president openly
expressed, that thereby may be laid
the groundwork upon which an ap-
proach may be made TO an end OF the
present conflict.
While the United States would have
no voice in what those terms might
be. the president said, 1t would have
voice in determining whether they
should be made lasting by guarantees
of universal covenant.
No Action at This Time.
From his utterance all the presl.
dents hearers drew the common con-
clusion that he was holding but to the
old world a warning that If it would
command the potent influence of The
new for the future peace of ALL the
settlement of the war must involve
concession and sacrifice, equally OF
rights, freedom of the seas, and in
his own words, "inviolabie security
Of life, of worship, and of industrial
and social development OF all peoples
who have lived hitherto under the
power OF governments devoted to a
faith and purpose hostile to theiI
own"
Some Of the senator's VINO disagree
with the president openly referred 10
this portion OF his address as IAN at.
tempt to parcel out Europe" and ar
interference in the affairs Of the east
ern hemisphere.
Members OF congress generally dc
not regard the presidents proposals
as calling for any action at this time
AMI even senator's who did not agree
with the suggestions advanced for
world peace did nos question the pres
ident's right to suggest them nor to
enter upon negotiations tending &c
commit the United States to such a