Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-02-12
AMERICA IN FIGHT
UNTIL JUSTICE IS
ASSURED TO WORLD
President Tells Congress
United States VIII Exert
Full Strength in War.
FINDS AUSTRIA READY
FOR JUST SETTLEMENT
Mr.. Wilson Replies to Recent
Speeches of Teuton
Diplomats.
WARNS JuNKER .ARISTOCRACY
There Will Be No Turning Back
Until 1t Is Crushed,
He Says.
rRv xssoc,s.ed proas. I

WASHINGTON, February 1l.-Presf-
dent Wilson. appearing unexpectedly
before Congress again to-day, replied
to the recent peace speeches by Count
Won Hertlins. the German Chancellor;
and Count Czernn. the Austro-Hun-
garian Foreign Minister by reminding
those statesmen that peace can be dis
cussed only on the basis OF perma-
nency and essential justice and broad
y warning the people OF the central
empires that the participation of tho
United States Ii tho wa- FOR the eman-
cipation OF humanity only has begun.
Plainly, the President warned tho
German military autocracy that there
was to be no nausing in the mobiliza-
ton OF Americas vas; military re-
sources and that II peace were to be
discussed, il would have to be on .
basis of sincerity.
Otherwise. the President made 1t
plain there was TO hc no turning back
until military au;ocrncy was crushed
by force of arms.
Count Czernins speech. tho President
openly regarded sympathetically.
Chancellor Hertling's speech. how
ever, the President characterized as
very vague aud very confusing" and
full OF ccuivocal phrases" leading no
where clearly.
NO WISH 10 INTEHEERE
IN EUROPEAN AFFAIRS
The President reiterated ;hat the
United States had no desire TO inter-
fere in European affairs, and would
disdain TO take advantage OF any in
ternal weakness or disorder TO impose
her own will upon another people"
n
the President found no approach to
lhc path of peace but rather a pro-
pa"al to end the war on German terms,
and TO set up 4 league OF nations TO
maintain the balance OF power so es-
tablishcd. Count CZcrnin, the Austrian
spokesman, the President said, en-
ploycd very friendly tone. seemed TO
see the fundamental clements OF peace
with clear eyes. and probably would
have gone much further e 1t had not
been for -iustria's alliances. and her
dependence upon Germany.
LEADERS ~ COSGUESa
WARMLY APPLAUD PRESIDENT
Members OF Congress accepted the
address, not as peace message, but
as notice to tile Central powers that
The United States cannot be turned
aside from tue object Cor which il is
fighting, and a warning 20 Congress and
the American people that the task OF
sending the nations fighting men to the
front mus. not be ir;erfercl with by
cauivoca: and misleading ui;erances OF
Teu;onic statesmen. The President was
warmly received and chcered as he
concluded. and leaders. without respect
10 party, attcrward expressed hearty
approval OF his words
The address had boon prepared after
conferences during the pas; few days
with Colonel l.. ". House. who headed
the American mission TO the great in
;crsll!cd corf, renee. ~ usual, the
President announced his coming only
long enough in advance u permit of
arrangement for a joint session in tho
House chamber.
HoW DIPLOMATS
INTERPRET THE ADDRESS
While in Official ana diplomatic quar-
tc.s to- day there was a disposition 10
let the Presidents address speal: for
itself without intetpretati. n there ap-
parcn'ly was no division Of opinion On
the point that his prime object was to
bring the extra -o:'iSisl negotiations"
as some ob$e 'vcrs hay. termed the
spcechmak kire o. the oh # statesmen OF
the nations at war. back Ia the funda-
mental issues. the scttierer, OF each
question or PRINCIPLES OF iuSticc the
ces.ation of the H,rter OF provinces and
peoples: tn: settlement of territorial
questions :or ~. bcucnt of the popu-
iationS con'e ued; and finally. tho rec
osn:;ion OF na:ional asr ,rations as a
basis OF pcrla usn; reHr'
Another purpose served. !; was point
cd out. is 20 rcurd the German Reich
stag of tho great distance that Count
Won Bertling has travelled from Its
resolutions o. last July regarding self
determination Of the rights OF small
nations and peoples. no annexations,
contributions or punitive damages Re-
sporsive echoes among the German So
cialis;s and Liberals may in tho end
bring culininaiiVe pressure 20 benr
upon the war lords At present contro,l-
ing the fate OF Germany.
St!ll another object OF the address,
II Is suggested, was to serve notice In
advance that any peace treaties result