Arizona republican., 1918-10-29
REPUB[|CANS HOLD SENATE IN
 SESSION; DEMOCRATS PROTEST
WILSON DENIES FREE TRADE VAS
 H|S INTENTION
Republican A. p. Leased Wire]

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2S.-President Wilson replied today to republican con- tentions that the third of his II peace terms is a free trade plank, by eX- blaming that in demanding the re- moval of economic barriers, he meant to suggest no restriction upon internal policies, but only that whatever tariff, high or low, any nation might deem necessary, it should apply equally to all foreign nations.
 The president made the explanation in letter to Senator Simmons of North Carolina, chairman of the senate if nance committee, who had written him asking for statement because certain republican leaders are attempting to make partisan use" of the paragraph.
 Every Nation Free to Act
 The presidents letter addressed to Senator Simmons, follows:
 Dear Senator: l am glad to respond to the question addressed to me by your letter of October 26. The words I used in my address to the congress of January s. 1918, Were: The removal, so far as possible of all economic bar riers and the establishment of equal trade conditions along the nations con- sentinS to the peace and associating themselves for it's maintenance
 "l, of course, meant to suggest no re- striction upon the free determination by any nation, of it's own economic pol icy, but only that. whatever tariff any nation might deem necessary for its own economic service, be that tariff high or low, it should apply equally to Q ;,, there should be no discrimination against some nations that did not apply to others. This leaves every natior free to determine for itself it's own in- ternal policies, and limits only it's right to compound these policies of hostile determinations between one nation an( l another. Weapons of economic dis. cipline and punishment should be lef to the joint action of all nations for tn, purpose of punishing those who vii not submit to a general program O l justice and equality.
 Says Motive Transparent
 The experience of the past anon, nations that have laughed at the at | tempt by one nation. to punish anothe | by exclusive and discriminatory trad agreements, has been a prolific breede of that kind of antagonism which often times results in war and that if a per manent peace is to be eStablishe among nations, every obstacle that ha stood in the way of internationa friendship should be cast aside. It wa with that fundamental purpose in min that announced this principle in m address of January s. To pervert thi great principle for partisan purpose! and to inject the bogey of free trad, which is not involved at all, is to at tempt to divert the mind of the natio from the broad and humane principle ( durable peace, by introducing an in ternal question of quite another kint American business has in the past bee unaffected by a policy of the kind sug gested, and 1t has nothing to fear no- from policy of simple internations justice. It is indeed lamentable tha the momentous issues of this solem hour should be seized upon in an effo, to bend them to partisan service. T the initiated and discerning, the motiy is transparent and the attempt fails. Sincerely yours,
 WOODROW WILSON"
 Following is the letter of Senate l Simmons:
 Dear MT. President:
 Certain republican leaders are at tempting to make a partisan use ( paragraph of your peace terms, foun Tn your address to congress, Januar s, 1918. No one has authority to repl to a misconstruction of any part C your address excepting yourself. but as chairman of the finance committe of the senate, wish you would make re ply to these statements and insinua tons which are being industriously cir culated by the opposition, to embarras
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