New-York tribune., 1918-12-03
Country ''Knows No More
Now Than Before Ad-
Dress Asserts Johnson
s.Fine," Democrats View
Republicans Reject E~plan-
alton of Trip, but Can
Agree on Domestic Affairs
T,.;bune Washington Buredu

Tribune Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2.-Here are q
Cow Of the comments of members of
congress after the address, particular
* on the peace question:
Senator Reed: "The President says
all nations have approved the fourteen
ooace points. No nation has approved
-. fourteen peace points. The Presi-
don't saws our soldiers fought for these
o,r soldiers fought TO whip Germany
olso disagree with the President that
ve should assist in the rehabilitation
of France. On domestic questions l
an, in substantial accord with the
President"
Senator James Hamilton Lewis: 1.-The
message was splendid. l was partlcu-
1srlv pleased with the President S
treatment of the railroad question.
Railroads should be owned by the gov
eminent. but operated under private
management"
Senator New, of Indiana: at was an
occasion of no consequence.
Representative Mckinley, Of Illinois:
az do not believe fully gathered from
the message why Senators Htchcoek
and Lodge should not accompany the
President to France
Senator Kellogg, of Minnesota:
was disappointed that the Presldent
.sid not take the Congress and the
country more into his confidence upon
the great points of the peace treaty,
especially as the Senate has coordinate
treaty-making power.
Senator Simmons: "The message
vas fine. 1t was a great dellverance,
easily one of the Presidents strongest
utterances. His frank statement OF the
reasons impelling him to go abroad
and personally participate IN the
peace negotiations will to large eN,
tent allay criticism. both inside anG
outside of Congress-.
Senator J JoFsnson, OF California: For
davs and days it has been heralded
through the press that on this oc-
casjon the President would make clear
whv his presence was lmperatlveiy de-
manded in Europe and that he would
tell the American people what ne, as
their leader, desired at the peace con-
ference. We know no more now tnan
we did before the address. There mas
been neither amplitcation nor elucl.
6ation. Open diplomacy Freedom of
the Seas League of Nations,' are yet
mere generalities as nebuious as they
have been in the past few months. The
President leaves us without an ad-
ministrative programme for recon
struction Of definite American policies
as to peace terms. The American
people have the right to know both
Course Clear, Says Phelan
Senator Phelan, of California: "The
Presidents justification for his attend
ence on the peace conference was alb
soutely convincing. He has been the
country's leader in the war and the peo-
pie and Congress approved enthusiastic
cally his cause. He made articulate the
sentiments OF his countrymen. The
representatives. OF the Allies have con-
cured in his statement of war pur-
poses and aims. If ne failed to attend
and support by his counsel the high
ideals he has uttered in our names ne
would have cons spicuously failed OF his
duty"
Senator Harding, OF Ohio: "a fine
tribute to the soldiers and sailors or
the Republic and the country's patriotic
support of the war. The statement OF
the railway problem was frank and falf
and carried the revelation that Con
gress really has work to do and IS
again expected TO do it. The message
was rot revealing so far as peace terms
are concerned, but one would not ex-
pect the spokesman Of the Western
Hem sphere to reveal his hand in ad-
vance. The message lacked the cock
sure confidence of many previous ut
terances."
Reasons Not Convincing"
Senator Sherman, of Illinois: "The
President does not convince by his
reasons for going abroad. The more
he argues the less he justities himself.
i" ME admitting great inconvenience,
ne asserts 1t to be his paramount duty.
mere Is not negotiation of porma-
nent peace that could not as we'll be
conducted with the President at his
in Versailles" @
Senator Underwood (Democrat) Ala
bama: at is my clear impression that
the President intends, if there Is no
legislation IN the near future bv Con-
gress, to restore the railroads to +heir
owners. 1t is physical impossibiliiv
Tor there to be any legislation at tne
present session of Congress. not onlv
because of the lack CT time. but be.
cause the subject IS one that Will re
auire several months OF serious con
sderation before a bill could be seri-
ously taken up. 1t therefore seems
obvious TO me that the Presidents atti
tude will result in throwing this prob
lem into the lap of the next Congress,
which the Republicans will control. 1t
IS further evident that if the President
does not call an extra session before
the regular convening in next Decem-
Der ne WILL under his language to-day
return the railroads to their owners in
lieu of Congress onal action