Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-09-28
LATEST ADDRESS
Of THE PRESIDENT
REGARDED AS BEST
Destined to Become Historic
Utterance of War, OBJ
servers Here Believe.
CLEAREST STATEMENT
OF WAR AIMS YET MADE
Places U. S. Government on Record
for League of Nations and Clari-
fes Several Vital Questions.

frcSlGcnt Nilsson SGufeSS III VT"
York last night, setting forth five prin-
ciples representing this government S
Interpretation of its own duty with re-
gard to peace" today was regarded IN
Washington as 4 memorable utterance,
destined to become one of the most
historic addresses of the present war.
1t was acclaimed as notable, both
among officials of this government and
by unofficial expressions on the part
of allied government representatives,
for several reasons.
1t gives clearer definition to the
fourteen principles originally laid
down by the President. which later he
summarized under four heads.
It presents Il program by which the
principles previously laid down may
be carried out.
q. S. Put on Record for League.
1t places this government squarely
on record for Il league of nations, d
proposal hitherto considered as
tentative project.
1t fatty opposes the economic block
ade idea, a moral weapon about which
there has ragged a storm of contro-
versy ever since the now famous Paris
economic conference.
Finally, and significantly, it was
put forward by the President not only
as the expression OF his own views
and Interpretation of the desires of
the American people, but as thls
governments interpretation OF prin-
ciples upon which just and lasting
peace may rest.
Considered Answer to Hertling.
Though no names were mentioned,
the Presidents speech is considered
an answer to Won HertlinSs recent
ciamorings for q peace which would
save as much as possible from the
fast-crumbIing structure OF pan-Ger-
man ambitions.
More than that. it is considered an
effective counter attack against the
German peace offensive. which will be
the ma jor part of the winters diplo-
matte po~gra,n of the central powers.
Best Statement of War Aims.
1t bears no eQuivocation or loop
holes, apparently. through which
those who would seek a premature
peace could direct their insidious
propaganda. 1t is accepted as one of
the most specific and concrete defini-
uons of war aims yet put into words.
not only by the President. but by any
statesmen of the allied nations.
The address. it is believed. further
strengthens the United States iE the
position of being a leader among the
nations opposed to Germany. and once
again stamps President Wilson as the
spokesman CT these nations.
Interest as to Allies Acceptance.
Acceptance of the working program
by Great Britain and France espe-
Sially is awaited with keenest inter-
est Some French leaders were luke
warm about the league of nations
idea. This was natural. as Frances s
chief and deepest concern was the re-
covery of her lost provinces. But re-
Gently there has been indication Of 4
L
we'll as Great Britain, that some as
surance must be given against fur
ther predatory activity by heavily
armed nations.
Inclusion of Germany herself in the
league of nations is suggested by the
President, d point about which there
has been considerable discussion. 1t
has been pointed out by those who
miStrust Germany deeply that leaving
her without the bounds of such a
and give less leverage for assuring
her respect of the rights of smaller
nations than if she were included.
President Wilson seems to have this
in mind with the prov,So that her rep
reSentation must be through gov
eminent more directly responsible to
the majority of her own people.
Opposes Economic Leagues.
The President puts into words also
the growing feeling that economic
against even the central powers, after
the war is over. would serve as a fester-
ing sore, and furnish prete2ts for fu-
ture wars
But here it should be noted that
there is no thought in the Presidents
address of compromising at any point
on the aims of the war. nor of dis
cussing terms" in advance Of a de-
ciSive allied victory.
The President reiterates what he
has stated previously, that there must
be no treaties, in whole or in part,
which shall not be given full public
tty before the world. and he carries
this thought to logical conclusion.
rs applied to the plan of league of
nations, by stipulating that there can
be no special. selfish. economic COM
binations within the league
Makes War Aims Clear.
The Presidents speech is regarded
as a plain and conclusive answer to
those who have asked for definite
statement of war aims. Such de-
mands have been made from both al
lied and enemy sources. The PreSi-
dent stated them last evening. gave
L, i