Bisbee daily review. [volume] (Bisbee, Ariz.) 1901-1971, 1918-02-12
Chief Executive Addresses
Congress, Giving Ameri-
can Viewpoint on Central
Powers Proposals.
CBv Reriex Leased Wire

CBy Review Leased Wire)
WASHINGTON, Feb. 11.-President
Wilson addressed congress today to
clear the atmosphere Of any confusion
resulting from the recent speeches on
peace terms by the German chancel-
lor and the Austro-Hungarian foreign
minister, and TO reiteTate that until
the military masters OF Germany are
ready 10 consider peace on principles
of Justice the United States will con-
tiuue the fight it is just beginning for
the safety OF itself and mankind.
In the speech OF Count Won Hertling
the German chancellor, the president
found no approach TO the path OF
peace, but rather a proposal TO end
the war on German terms and to set
up a league Of nations to maintain
the balance of power SO established
Count Czernin, the Austrian spOkes-
man, the president said, employed a
very friendly tone, seemed to see the
fundamental elements OF peace with
clear eyes, and probably would have
gone much farther if il had not been
for Austria's alliances and her depend
ence upon Germany.
No Turning Aside
Members Of congress accepted the
address not as a peace message, but
as notice to the central powers that
the United States cannot be turned
aside from the object for which it is
fighting and a warning to congress
and the American people that the task
of sending the nations fighting men
to the front must not be interfered
with by equiTocal and misleading ut
terances OF Teutonic statesmen The
president was warmly received and
cheered as he concluded, and leaders,
without respect to party, afterward ex-
pressed hearty approval of his words.
The address had been prepared af-
ter conferences during the past few
days with Colonel E. II. House, who
headed -he American mission to the
great inter-aIlied conference AS usu-
al the president announced his coming
only long enough in advance to permit
Of arrangements for a joint session in
the house chamber.
Back 70 Fundamentals
While in official and diplomatic
quarters today there was a disposition
4
for itself without Interpretation, there
apparently was no division of opinion
on the point that his prime object was
to bring the extra official negotia-
tions" as some observers have termed
the speechmaking of the chief states
man OF the nation al war. back to the
fundamental issues, the settlement Of
each question on principles of justice:
the cessation OF the barter OF PROVING
es and peoples; the settlement of ter
ritorial questions for the benefit Of the
populations concerned, and finally. the
recognition Of national aspirations as
a basis Of permanent peace
Another purpose served. il was
pointed out, is to remind the German
reichstag OF the great distance that
Count Won Hertling has travelled from
its resolution OF last July regarding
self-determinatiOn OF the rights OF
small nations and peoples. no annexa-
tious, contributions or punitive dam
ages. Responsive echoes among the
German Socialists and Liberals may
in the end bring cumulative pressure
to bear upon the war lords at present
controlling the fate of Germany.
As TO Russian Peace
Still another object Of the address.
II was said, is TO serve notice in ad-
vance that any peace treaties result
ing from the Brest-Litovsk conference
would not of necessity be regarded as
binding upon America or the entente
allies
I'VE cannot have general peace for
the asking. or by the mere arrange
ments OF a peace conference" Mr.
Wilson said. 1T cannot be pieced to
gether out OF individual understand
ings between powerful states. All the
parties to this war must join in the
settlement of every issue anywhere in
volTed in II because what we are ask
ing is a peace that we can all unite 10
guarantee and maintain and every
item OF it must be submitted to the
common judgment whether il be right
and fair: an act Of justice rather than
a bargain between sovereigns."
The statement was made in high Of
ficial quarters that the entente allies
were not consulted by President VIII
son in preparing the address nor was
il even made known to them that il
was to be delivered However. IL was
pointed out. that this was not to be
taken as indicating any lack OF unity
Of purpose and aims between the CO
belligerents as nowhere in his address
did the president depart from any of
the principles he has laid down in
common with the British. French and
Italian premiers in their preceding
public utterances regarding war aims
Watching
Diplomats Of the older school are
watching with keen interest the 'ex.
ira official negotiations" which depart
so radically from all Of the ancient
and accepted practices Of diplomacy
They point out that peace negotiations
on a great scale actually are going on
only instead of being conducted in the
secrecy Of the round table conference
which was the aim of the central pow
ers in the early stages Of the war. the
great war issues are now being ex.
pounded and critically analyzed In the