Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1918-01-10

tOu, jan. c.-fAHciiCd plo-
gram of war and peace. with definite
terms upon which the nations. great
and small, fighting together against
German world domination are ready to
lay down their arms. was given to the
world by President Wilson to-day
through an address to Congress in
Joint session.
For this program, based upon the
righting of wrongs and the safety of
peace-loving peoples desiring to live
their own lives. the President commit
ted the United States to fight and con-
tinue to fight, until it is achieved. Thus
he pledged the country to the allied
policy of no separate peace. I'VE can
not be separated in interest or divided
in purpose" he said. I'VE stand to-
gether to the end"
The speech, heard by Congress at an
hours notice and accepted with a wave
of approval that brought together vir-
tually every element Of both houses,
was delivered as direct response to
the German challenge in the negotiations
with the Russians at Brest-Litovsk. 1t
followed closely and approved the adj
dress of the British premier, but far
more specific in statement Of terms,
robbing Of force in advance any Ger
man peace drive designed to confuse
the entente and American governments
and their people, while at the same
time presenting the foundation for
genuine negotiations, whenever the CEN
trail powers are ready to talk Of just
peace.
SYMPATHY WITH RUSSIANS.
A notable feature Of the address was the
sympathetic attitude Of the President
toward the Russian representatives who
dealt with the Germans at the peace con-
ference-the Bolsheviki, often execrated
for their detection from the entente and
for permitting themselves to be drawn
into the Teutonic peace trap. The Rus
slams, he said, presenting perfectly clear
statement Of the principles upon which
they would be willing to conclude peace
were sincere and in earnest, and when
they found that the actual German terms
of settlement came from the military
leaders. who had no thought but to keep
what they had taken the negotiations were
broken off.
Upon the question of whether the Rus
SLAMS and the world are to listen to the
military and imperialistc minority. which
100 far has dominated the Teutonic policy,
or to the liberal leaders and parties who
speak the spirit and intentions of the Rus
slams, adopted by the German Reichstag
last July, the President declared, must
depend the peace of the world. This was
in line with his previous declaration that
the word Of the present rulers of Germany
could not be taken for anything worth
while. but he took care to disclaim any
intention to suggest change in German
institutions.
PEACE OR WAR SPEECH?
Everywhere In Washington. it was
agreed that the President had made a
great address and had given expression
70 the views of the American people as q
whole The difference of opinion was AS to
whether 1t was peace a war speech.
Some members Of both houses of Con-
|gress protested to believe that the Ger.
mans might find the terms laid down
acceptable as basis of negotiation and
60 hope that a bona flde offer might re-
suit.
In most quarters, however, there was
no such optimism and the speech was
looked upon as great war document
clearing the atmosphere for the govern
ments and peoples fighting Germany.
heartening the disorganized Russians and
furnishing a light for the German people
themselves when they want to see It,
WHY THE PRESIDENT ACTED.
In response to the universal query as to
ehe reasons which impelled the chief
executive to make his appearance so I'M
expectedly before Congress again to
enunciate the aims of the United States
and Its co-belligerents. it was stated
euthoritatively that in the opinion OF
president Wilson the psychological mo-
enent had arrived when It was absolutely
necessary to make a strong effort to coun.
feract the evil effects Of German duplicity
and double dealing upon the Russians
who had been charged to meet the trained
German negotiators. 1t is felt that nc
efforts should be spared to prevent a
resumption Of the Brest-Litovsk nego
Nations by the Russians, without earnest
but kindly admonition by the allies anc
America Of the terrible dangers to which
enc IL exposed.
Tie President assumed in his messag,
20 Congress that these negotiations hay,