The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1918-02-11
PRESIDENT REPLIES TO
DIPLOMATS SPEECHES
Tremendous Applause ReEhos Halls Congress Address
dMany Members of Both Houses Express Approval
"Shrewd Move to Dissolve Germany and Austria"

Washington, Feb. 11.-Prssidsnt
Wilson, addressing congress in joint
session at 1890 o'clock today replied to
the recent speeches by German Cham
chelior Won Hertlns and the Austrian
foreign minister, Count Won Cxernin.
Chancellor Won Hertling's statement,
the president said. was very vague
and confusing. and leads to practically
no conclusion. 1t was very different in
tone from Count Czernin's, which, the
president said, had a very friendly
| tonc.
| Rsiterates Statement.
! The president reiterated that the
United States had no desire to inter-
fere In European affairs and would
disdain to take advantage CT any in
ternal weakness or disorder to impose
| her own will upon another people,
All the way through the president
drew parallel between the pro-
nouncements of Chancellor Hertling
and Foreign Minister Czernin, and he
drew the conclusion that the presi-
dent decidedly considered Czernin's
utterances as being more favorable
than Hertling's.
"Czernin seems to see the funda-
mental elements OF peace with clear
eyes and does not seek to obscure
them," said the president.
Count Czernin," said the presi-
dent, probably would have gone
much farther had 1t not been for the
embarrassment of Austria's alliances
and of her dependence on Germany.
Again the president reiterated that
the United States was In the war ana
would put forth its whole strength in
this war of emancipation.
Test by Principles.
The test Of whether 1t is possible
for. the belligerents to go on compar-
ing views the president said, was
simple and obvious and the principles
to be applied, he said, were as fol-
lows:
1. Each part of the final settle
ment must be based upon essential
justice to bring permanent peace
2. Peoples and provinces are not
to be bartered about like chattcis
to establish balance Of power.
8. Territorial settlements must
be for the benefit of people con-
cerned and not merely adjustment
of rival states claims.
4. Well defined national aspira
], tions !. must ~ 4s @ aGcoFdsa 81 a'l pcssIs's
"A aeneral peace upon such founda-
tions can be discussed" said the pres
ident. Until such peace can be se.
cured we have no choice but to 80 on.
The general principles. the president
said, have been accepted by every one
except the military autocrats In Ger
many.
War for Emancipation Only Begun.
President Wilson reminded the
statesmen Of the central empires that
peace can be discussed only on the
basis of permanency and essential
Justice and broadly warning the peo-
pie of the central empires that the
of the United States in
the war for the emancipation or hu-
nanity only had begun.
Plainly the president warned the
German military autocracy that there
was to be no ceasing in the mobiliz-
ng of Americas various military
'orces now going steadily to the bat
lie fields and If peace were 20 be dis
,ussed it would have to be on basis
# sincerity. otherwise, the president
made it plain there was to be no turn
ng back until military autocracy was
rushed by force of arms. Count Ger
inns speech, the president regarded
but he considered the
Austrian foreign minister restrained
" the embarrassment of Austrias al
lance and her dependence on Ger
many Chancellor Won Hertling's
peech. however, the president char
cterized as very vague and very
onfusing" and full of equivocal
hrases" leading nowhere clearly.
Audience Rises to Applaud.
The president was interrupted by
pplause at every reference Of the
Inited States standing .teadfsstly
gainst a patched up peace. Prob
bly, the greatest applause broke out
hen the president declared that the
'ilitarists of Germany were the only
ement now preventing world
saoe. When he concluded, after
,eaking twenty minutes, the entire
Idienee, as usual, rose and cheered.
Shrewd Move to Divide Powers.
Approval of President Wilson's ad-
-ess was expressed by many mem
,rs of both houses, who thought it
lportune and the essence of a per-
anent peace. Senator Reed thought
a "shrewd move TO dissolve Ger
any and Austria"
II regard the speech as an interpre-
tion Of the speech of Jan. g." said
,nator Johnson. republican. of Cali
rnia. 81 could not have subscribed
all Of the presidents utterances of
n. ). | am delighted with most or
days speech. and its modification of
me of the statements of the presi-
nt's war aims address. Without at
criticising any other message, l
1 sure today's expresses more close
Americas thoughts and Americas
pes in this war, and brings us much
arer to peace"
Leader Mann's Comment.
The address plainly, while spoken
the house, was not addressed TO il;
was addressed to the chancoelleries
Germany and Austria and others,
d Republican Leader Mann.