Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-01-08
WILSON OUTLINES ~
AMERICAN AIMS
Washington, Jan. 8.-Peace or war!
1t is for Germany to say which will prevail dur
ing the coming year.
The war aims of the
United States today are
known to all people.

NiAo' WI " OH kIOOkSAN.
They were voiced in a historic joint
session of Congress at noon today by
President Wilson and officials declar-
ed the president spoke for all OF Ger
many's enemies, As the message was
being read the cables were carrying
every word OF his utterances to the
farthest corners of the earth. They
will go direct to Germany.
The United States closed all cables
running out Of this country at 1890
O'Clock Washington time. In order to
handle the address.
The presidents action today came
as a complete surprise. No inkling
that he had prepared another state
nent WAS forthcoming in advance.
The only person who read the mess
tge in advance was Col. f. NJ House.
/. hief OF the recent American mission
/, o Europe. President Wilson'S address
placed the peace cards OF Cermany's
enemies on the table face up.
The President said;
Gentlemen o. the Congress;
once more as repeatedly before.
! he spokesman OF the Central Powers.
ias indicated their desire 70 discuss,
he objects Of the war and the pos.
iihle basis OF q general peace Par.
eya have been in progress at Brest.
tNtovsk between Russian reMesontg-
ives and representatives OF the Cen
tral Powers. to which the. attention
| II all the helheerants has been Hi.
I fited for thr nurpose OF aacortaining
whether II may be possible 10 extend
.hese parlets into 4 general confer
nd settlements.
The Russian representatives pre-
ented, not only a perfectly definite
statement OF The principles upon
| which they would he willing to con-
fuGc 1t peace, but also on equally
iefinite PROGRAMS Of the concrete ap-
)lication OF those principles The
representatives. OF the Central Pow
'Fs on ther part presented an out
me of settlement which, is much less
/ lellnitely assembled suspectible OF
# liberal Interpretation until their
specific program OF practical terms
vas added. That program proposed
no concessions at all Neither to the
3Cvercienity ol Russia or to the pref
rcnces Of the populations with whom
whose fortunes it dealt, but meant in
4 word, Jhat the Central Empires
Wcte 10 keep every foot Of territory
heir AIMED forces had occupied.
every province. every city, every point
n vantage, was permanent addition
their torr tories and their power
II is reasonable conjecture that
! be General principles OF settlement
Uh.ea thcy at FIRST sui. .eeted origin
atcd with the more liberal statesmen
If Germany and Austria who have
\ te@un 10 feel the force OF their
! wn peoples thou4ht and purpose,
Wlile the concrete terms and actual
otIement came f0m military lead.
erS who have no thought but 10 keep
nut what they GOT The negotiations
have been broken off, The Russian
representatives we've sincere and III
, earnest They cannot enter into such
proposals vi conquest and domination.
The who'll inserted is full OF signih-
canoe. Il il also full OF perpleXity.
With whom are the Russian repre-.
seuatites of the Central Empires
speaking? Are they speaking for The
maioritieS Of their respective parlia.
ment or parliaments, or Tor the min
ottty parties. that military and i'm.
Dorialists minoltcs which has so far
dominated their whole policy aud con.
I trolled the affairs Of Turkey and Of
the Balkan States, which have felt
obligated to become their associates
in this war? The RUSSIAN represent.
atires have insisted. very Justly very
wisely and IN the true spirit OF mod
ern democracy that the conferences
.hey have been holding with the Tou'
onic and Turkish states. and should
be held within open, not closed. doors
and all the world has been audience
as were desired To whom have We
been listening then? To those who
speak the spirit and intentions of the
resolution ct the German Rechstag
OF the ninth OF July last, the spirit
and intentions Of the liberal leaders
and parties OF Germany or to those
who resist and defy that spirit and
intention and insist upon conquest
and sHbjugation? Or are We listen.
d a. ..tt n aa. A