The Detroit times., 1917-01-24
Not Even the Critics Of
the President Disapprove OF
the Purpose of the Speech
Praiseworthily presumptuous.


ranged thru a concert of nations.
The president will be surprised over
the Endorsements the speech will receive
and ne will be surprised by the OPPOSE
ton IL viii arouse. Endorsements and OPP
positions will come from the most uneX-
pected sources.
In the first place he has departed rad
ically from American traditions and he
will find those, even among his closest
followers and most ardent admirers, who
have an aversion to that sort of thing.
The president continues to be prece-
dent destroyer.
He will encounter, also, among these
followers and admirers, in both parties,
those to whom that word enforce.
used in connection with peace is very dis
tasteful, representing to them an incon-
sistency with their views as pacifists and
what they deem the attitude of this gov
eminent should be as leader for peace.
Sources from which we would have
every reason to expect a lambasting for
the president. are really sympathetic, ex-
pressing the opinion that the suggestions
contained are advanced on intimation
that makes them timely.
1t is construed by part of the Ameri-
can press as an appeal in behalf of the
Teutonic powers. It has been favorably
received by most of the press in London.
The fact of the matter is, it has car
ried the country quite off its feet and
the feet have not as yet been regained.
OF one thing, however, The Times Is
quite positive.
And that one thing is that the purpose
of the speech is most admirable, which 1t
has been admitted to be by newspapers
that are not friendly to the president
It was bold in him and. perhaps, bit
unfortunate. that he should have as
sumed that peace, if it is to be lasting,
"must come without victory
He leaves an opening in this speech
for the criticism that he is meddling IN
= matter that is as vital TO those who
are fighting the war, as he most properly
construes the matter of an international
concert for peace TO become to US, after
the war.
The English press takes exception to
this part of the note while the comment
upon it generally is favorable.
On the other hand, the tone of the
Canadian press is, almost without an i'm
portant exception, unfavorable. which
fact, no doubt, will strengthen the view
of those who look at the speech with the
glasses of diplomats and consider it m
conceivable that the president has taken
this step without first having consulted
directly with those highest in authority
In all countries in the war.
II those who are wise in diplomacy
have the speech reasoned out Alright, just
how near are the warning nation to
peace?
Assuming that the president speaks
with knowledge that the rest of the
country has not, the peace Of Europe
insofar as this present war is concerned.
Is not far off.
That conflict settled. and the sugges-
tions of President Wilson entertained in
its terms, the peace Of the world, and
peace everlasting. may be as near.
II world peace is the thing desired by
the other nations. the president. on be-
half Of the United States has turned a
master trick.
The beauty OF the plan lies in the most
apparent fact that lasting peace is the
very thing these nations are fighting for.
It's defect TO the paci6sts' way OF
ta,nl,ry IA IN the suggestion that we