Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-02
NJ WILSON'S ADDRESS TO CONGRESS

1 conclusive to you as they have seemed to
| me-
The Allied Governments have accepted
the bases OF peace which ] outlined to
the Congress on the Sth of January last,
as the Central Empires also have, and
very reasonably desire my personal
counsel in their Interpretation and ap-
plication. and II Is highly desirable that
I should give It, in order that the sin
cere desire Of our Government to con-
tribute without selfish purpose OF any
| kind TO settlements that will be of
common benefit to all the nations con-
cerned may be made fully manifest.
The peace settlements which are now
70 be agreed upon are of transcendent
Importance both to us and to the rest of
the world, and know of no business or
interest which should take precedence
OF them. The gallant men of our armed
forces on land and sea have consciously
| fought for the ideals which they knew
to be the ideals Of their country; have
sought to express those ideals; they
have accepted my statements of them
as the substance of their own thought
and purpose, as the associated Govern
ments have accepted them; owe 1t to
them to see TO 1t, so far as in me lies,
that no false or mistaken Interpretation
is put upon them and no possible eff
fort omitted to realize them. It is now
my duty to play my full part In making
rood what they offered their lifes blood
to obtain.
can think Of no call to service which
could transcend this.
To Keep Congress Informed
shall be in close touch with YOU
and with affairs on this side Of the
water, and you will know all that do.
At my request, the French and English
Governments have absolutely removed
the censorship Of cable news which until
within a fortnight they had maintained.
and there is now no censorship what
ever exercised at this end except upon
attempted trade communications with
enemy countries.
It has been necessary to keep an open
wire constantly available between Paris
and the Department OF State and an
other between France and the Depart
ment of war. In order that this might
be done with the least possible inter-
ference with the other uses of the cables
I have temporarily taken over the con-
| nf anhlpg in order that thAN
may be used as "a single system. ! did
80 mt the advice Of the most experienced
cable officials and hope that the result
will justify my hope that the news Of
the next few months may pass with the
utmost freedom and with the least pos
sjble delay from each side Of the sea
to the other.
Asks For United support
May not hope, gentlemen of the
Congress, that in the delicate tasks
shall have to perform on the other side
Of the sea, in my efforts truly ant
faithfully to interpret the principles ant
purposes of the country we love. ma,
have the encouragement and the addet
strength of your united support?
realize the magnitude and difficulty o
the duty [ am undertaking | am poig
nantly aware Of it's grave responsible
ties. | am the servant of. the nation
can have no private thought or pur
pose Of my own in performing such al
errand I go TO give the best that il
in me to the common settlements whicl
: must now assist 'i in arriving at /,
conference with the other workin,
: heads OF the associated Governments.
shall count upon your friendly coun
tenance and encouragement. shal
not be inaccessible. The cables and tn
wireless will render me available TO
any counsel or service you may desir
Of me, and ! shall be happy In tn
thought that | am constantly in touc
with the weighty matters Of domesti
policy with which we shall have to dea
n shall make my absence as brief a
! possible and shall hope to return wit
the happy assurance that it has bee
possible to translate into action IN
great ideals for which America ha
( striven.