The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1918-02-15

the atmosphere Of any confusion re-
peace terms by the German cnancel-
lor and the Austro-Hungarian foreign
minister and to reiterate that until
the military masters Of Germany are
ready to surrender peace on princi-
piles of justice the United States viii
continue the fight it is just Deginn-
ing for the safety of itself and man
kind.
In the speech of Count Won Hert
ling, the German chancellor, the pres
ident found no approach to the path
of peace, but rather a proposal to end
the war on German terms and to set
up a league of nations to maintain
the balance of power so established.
Count Czernin, the Austrian spokes-
man, the president said, employed 4
very friendly tone, seemd to see the
fundamental elements of peace with
clear eyes, and probably would have
gone much farther if it had not been
for Austria's alliance and her de-
pendence upon Germany.
Members of congress accepted the
address not as a peace message, but
as notice to the central powers that
the United States can not be turned
aside from the object for which it is
fighting and a warning to congress
and the American people that the
task of sending the nations fighting
men to the front must not be inter
fered with by eQuivocal and mislead
ing utterances of Ieutonic statesmen.
The president was warmly received
and cheered as he concluded, and
leaders without respect to party ex-
pressed hearty approval of his worGs.
Gave Brief Notice.
The address had been prepared af-
ter conferences during the past rev
days with Col. E. NJ House, VINO
headed the American mission to the
great inter-allied conference. AS
usual the president announced his
coming only long enough in advance
to permit of arrangements for JOINT
session in, the house chamber.
While in official and diplomatic
quarters today there was disposi-
ton to let the presidents address
speak for itself, without interpreta-
tion, there apparently was no divis-
ion of opinion On the point that his
prime object was to bring the extra
official negotiations" as some oo-
servers have termed the speech max
ing of the chief statesman Of the ma
tions at war, back to the fundamental ,
issue, the settlement of each question
on principles of justice. the cessation
of the barter of provinces and peoples
the settlement of territorial questions
for the benefit of the populations con-
cerned; and, finally, the recognition
of national aspirations as basis of
permanent peace.
Another purpose served, it was
pointed out. is to remind the German
reichstag of the great distance that
Count Won Hertling has travelled from
its resolutions of last July regarding
self determination Of the rights OF
small nations and peoples, no annex
ations, contributions or punitive dam
ages. Responsible echoes among the
German Socialists and Liberals may
in the end bring culminative pressure
IN bear upon the war lords at pres
ent controlling the fate, of Germany.
Still another object of the address.
it is suggested, was to serve notice
in advance that any peace treaties re-
sulting from the Brest-Litovsk con-
ference would not of necessity be re-
garded as binding upon America Or
the entente allies.
No Peace for, Asking.
'tWe can not have a peace confer
ence," Mr.. Wilson said. "It can not
be pieced together out of individual
understandings between powerful
states. All the parties to this war
must join in the settlement of every
issue anywhere involved in it because
what we are seeking is peace tina,
we can all unite to guarantee and
maintain and every item of 1t must
be submitted to the common judgment
whether it be right and fair; an act
Of justice rather than bargain be- !
tween sovereigns''
The statement was made in high Of
fetal quarters that the entente allies
were not consulted by President Viii
son in his address However. II was