The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-02-16
pEltt VTA JUSTICE.
fREsiDENT SPEAKS FOR ALLIES
IN REPLY To GERMANY,
Address ,o, Congress- Answer, pccc,,
Statements OF Austrian and Gcrn,a :,
Shanccilors.

washington. Feb. fi,--prcsldo,,
wilson addressed congress today IN
clear the atmosphere of any confus-
ION resulting from the recent speech
es on peace terms by the Germn,,
chancellor and the Austro. Hungarian
foreign minister and to reiterate th,,
until the military masters of Gsrman,.
TIRE ready 60 surrender peace on
principles of Justice the United States
will continue tho hight II is lust be.
ginning for the safety of itself anl
mankind,
President Wilson spoke as follows;
"eruemen OF the Congress:
ON the eighth OF January 1 had
the honor OF addressing YOU on tn.
objects OF the war MS our people con-
ceivs them. The prime minister OF
Great Britain had spoken In similar
terms on tho NTH of January. To
these addresses the German chancell-
or replied on the enty-fourth and
Count Czcrnin for Austria on the
saioc day.
1T Is gratifying TO have our desire
so promptly realized that all ex
changes OF view ON this great matter
rhould be made I'm the hearing of nj,
tile world.
Count Czerran's reply. which Is di-
rccted chiefly TO my own address O.
the eighth Of January, is uttered in n
very friendly tone. He finds In my
statement a sufficiently encouraging
approach to the views of his own Gov
ernment to Justify him in believing
that II furnishes basis for a more
detailed discussion OF purposes by the
Two governments. He Is represented
70 have intimated that the views ne
was expressing had communicated TO
me beforehand and that I was aware
OF them at the time he was uttering
them: but In this am sure he mis-
understood. 1 had received no init
nation of what he intended to SAY.
There wos. OF course. no reason why
re should communicate privately with
Inc. i am quite content to be one OF
his public audience.
Count Won Hertling's reply is, l
must say. very vague and very cou-
fusing. IL Is full OF equivocal phrases.
IL is not clear. But II is certainly I'm
very different tone from that OF
Count Czernin. and apparently of an
' opposite, purpose. 1t confirms, l am
sorry 70 say. rather than removes. the
unfortunate impression made by what
we had learned OF the conference n,
Brest-Litovsk. His discussion ana
acceptance OF our general principle,
lead him to no practical conclusion.
He refuses to apply them to tho sub
stantive items which must constitute
the body OF any final settlement. He
is Jealous of international action ana
OF International counsel. lie accepts
ne says. tho principle OF public dip
lomacy. but he appears To insist thu
AZ be confined. ut any rate I'm this case.
To generalities and that the several
particular questions Of territory and
sovereignty. the several questions up
ON whose settlement must depend the
acceptance OF peace by the 23 state
now engaged In the war. must ne dis.
cussed and settled. not in general
council, out severally by the na.ions
most immediately concerned by IN
terests or neighborhood. He agrees
that the seas should be free, but look.
askance at any limitation To that free.
dom by international action In the ir
terest OF the common order. Ht
would without reserve be glad to SCI
economic barriers removed betwce.
nation and nation. for that could ir
no way impede the ambitions OF tn,
military party with whom he seem,
constrained TO keep on terms. Meth
or doesshe raise objection to a limita.
tion OF armaments That matter will
be settled for itself. he thinks. by tho
economic conditions which must fol.
low the war. fIe will discuss with no
one but the representatives of Rus
sia what disposition shall be made o.
the peoples and the lands OF the Bal.
tic proyinees; with no one but tho
governtaen' of France. the "cond-
tons under.which French territory
shall be evacuated: and only with
Austria what shah be done with Po
I'm the determination OF all ques
tons affecting the Falkan states H.
defers. ,rs I understand him. to Aus
tria and Turkey: and with regard &C.
tl,c aareennenta N ,n No a,,o.aa ,,