The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1918-01-11
ONLY WAY KAISER
CAN OBTAIN PEACE
DEFINITE TERMS ENUMERATED
BY WHICH ENEMY CAN END
GREAT WORLD STRUGGLE.
U.S.WILLFIGHTFOR THEM ALL
President Wilson Takes Capital and
Congress by Complete Surprise
When He Calls Joint Session
and Delivers Peace Message.


and Delivers Peace Message.
Washington.-In terms specific and
questionable, President Wilson stip-
ulated, before a joint session Of con
gress, the aims for which America is
now fighting. This country, he said.
will continue the struggle until these
are achieved.
1t was the compelling voice Of
the Russian people," asking a defini-
ton Of Americas principles and pur-
pose" that prompted the president to
go before congress. 1t was largely to
Russia that his speech was directed.
The presidents message follows:
Gentlemen OF the Congress:
once more, as repeatedly before, the
spokesmen OF the central empires have
indicated their desire to discuss the OBJ
Jects OF the war and the possible basis
OF general peace.
Parleys have been in progress at Brest
Litovsk between Russian representa-
tves and representatives Of the central
powers to which the attention Of all the
belligerents have been invited for the
purpose of ascertaining whether 1t may
be possible to extend the parleys into
terms Of peace and settlement. The
Russian representatives presented not
only a perfectly definite statement of
the principles upon which they would
be willing to conclude peace. but also
an equally definite program Of the con-
crete application OF those principles. The
representatives Of the central powers, on
their part, presented an outline OF set
Element, which, II much less definite,
seemed susceptible OF liberal interpreta-
tlon until their specific program Of prac-
teal terms was added
No Concessions at All.
That program proposed no concessions
at oil, either to the sovereignty OF Rus
tons with whose fortunes Il dealt, but
meant. In word, that the central en-
pires were to keep every foot OF terri
tory their armed forces had occupied
every province, every city every point
their territories and their power. It is
reasonable conjecture that the gem
eral principles OF settlement which they
! at first suggested originated with the
more liberal statesmen OF Germany and
Austria, the men who have begun to feel
the force Of their own peoples thought
and purpose. while the concrete terms of
actual settlement came from the mill
tary leaders who have no thought but
to keep what they have got. The ne
kotiations have been broken off 1ns
Russian representatives were sincere
and in earnest. They cannot entertain
such proposals OF conquest and domin-
alton.
The whole incident is full Of signifi-
canoe. 1t Is also full OF perplexity. With
whom are the Russian representatives.
dealing? For whom are the representa-
tives of the central empires speaking?
Are they speaking for the majorities Of
their respective parliaments or for the
minority parties, that military and inn
perallstlc minority party which has so
far designated their whole policy and
controlled the affairs of Turkey and Of
the Balkan states, which have felt
Obliged to become their associates in
this war?
The Russian representatives have in
sisted, very justly, very wisely, and in
the true spirit OF modern democracy,
that the conferences they have been
holding with the Teutonic and Turkish
statesmen should be held with open, not
closed. doors, and with the whole world
as an audience was desired
To whom have we been listening
those who speak the spirit and inten-
tion OF the resolutions OF the German
reichStag OF the 9Th OF July, last, the
spirit and intention of the liberal lead
ers and parties of Germany, or to those
who, resist and defy that spirit and I'M,
tention. and insist uron conquest and
subjugationY Or are we listening, In
fact to both, unreconciled and In open
and hopeless contradiction? These are
very serious and pregnant uestions. Upon
the answer to them depends the peace
of the world.
But, whatever the results Of tho par
ieys at Brest Litovsk, whatever the con-
fusions of counsel and of purpose In the
utterances OF the Spokesman OF the CEN
trail empires, thew have again attempted
to acquaint the world with their objects
in the war, and have again challenged
their adversaries to say what sort OF set
Element they would deem Just and salts
that challenge should not be responded
60, and responded to with the utmost
candor. We, did not walt for 1t.
Have Told Purposes
Not once, but again and again, have
we laid our whole thought and purpose
before the world. not In general terms
only. but each time with sufficient def
milton. TO make II clear what sort OF
ieflnitlve terms OF settlement must nee
LAST week Mr. Lloyd George has spoken
with admirable candor. and In admira-
BILE spirit, for the people and govern
xnsnt OF Great Britain. There Is no con-
fusion OF counsel among the adversaries
of the central powers. no uncertainty OF
principle, no vagueness Of detail The
only secrecy OF counsel. the only lack
OF fearless frankness. the only failure
TO make definite statements Of the OBJ
fects OF the war Hes with Germany and
hsr allies. The issues Of life and death
hang upon these definitions
No statesman who has the least con-
caption Of his responsibility ought for
moment to permit himself TO continue
this tragical and appalling outpourinE OF
blood and treasure. unless he Il sure be-
vond a peradventtre that thu objects Of
fhs vital sacrifice are part and parcel OF
the very life Of society, and that the peo-
Die for wnom he speaks think them right
and imperative, as he does
Gail for Definitions.
There IL moreover. voice calling for
these definitions Of principle and Of pur-
nose, which, n seems to me, are more
thrilling and compelling than any OF the
troubled air Of the world Is filled. II Is
the voice q the Russian people. They
are proetrate and all but helpless. Il
would seem before the grim power OF
Germany. which has. hitherto known no
SslentIng and no pity. Their power. APP
parently. l. shattered. And yet their
soul IL not subservtent: They VIII not
Won't Desert ideals.
TneSr conception OF what Is right, OF
what II Is humane and honorable for
: them TO accept had been stated with
frankness hrgeness Of view. gen.
eroeity OF spirit, and q universal human
aympathy, which must CHALLENGES the ad.
rniration Of every friend OF mankind and
fhev have refused 70 compound their
eassls ar desert others that they them
esives may be safe. They call to Us TO
~ What Il Is that Ne desire. n what,
# ANYTHING our purpose and cur spirit
after frouf theirs: and I believe that
ire peopls q the United States would
wish me to respond. with utter simple
IT'S and frankness- Whether their pres
HEARTFELT desire and hope that some way
- - nx.ann9 whereby We NAV Ne