The Washington times., 1918-01-09
PRESIDENTS PLEA
TORUSSIA TIMELY,
ISLONDON'S VIEW

| LONDON, Jan. 9.-President WILL
sons speech was the second great
saIvo IN the allies political often
sive-the drive which is expected to
be more effective than guns or bayo-
nets in the defeat of Germany. Other
allied leaders very shortly will fire
further salvos OF verbal artillery.
Then, IL authoritative information
is correct. will come a concerted al
lied bombardment in the form OF a
joint restatement of allied war aims
the composite OF all the war aims
statements announced by the leaders
Of thought among the allies.
As London eagerly read the 'Presi-
dents statement today. Its special
appeal TO Russia was held the most
timely feature OF the whole epochal
document
President Wilson's speech came at
a psychologically Opportune moment.
Premier Lloyd Georges speech had a
marked effect in "bucking up" Great
Britain. On the top wave OF this
feeling throughout the empire.
comes President Wilson's notable
address, indicating thorough agree
meut and complete unity among the
allies.
SeiEes Great Occasion.
The Wilson message was received
too late for comment by any OF the
London morning newspapers, except
the Chronicle, which said:
"Once more the President has
seized on a great occasion to lead the
conscience of civilized mankind. He
is exerting unique authority, both
moral and political. as the spokesman
for the democratic future Of the
world"
Most OF LondOn's newspaper edi-
torials hailed the Wilson speech as
part OF this political offensive against
the central powers.
The Evening Standard headed its
editorial comment "a parallel often
sive; second blow" The editorial
itself said in part:
Notable Contribution.
The Presidents address il a moi
able contribution to the drum fire
against the enemy's moral position
while soldiers deal enerEeticaIIy
against them in the field. We hope
the politicians will continue to shell
the system whose creed is imperial
domination OF the globe. We hope
Downing street namely. Lloyd
Georges official residenceD will heed
earnest and emphatic warnings il
contains against secret diplomacy.
I'VE arc truly grateful for this
most Opportune reminder at this psy-
Geological moment"
Other Comment.
Other newspaper comment included:
Pail Mall Gazette: THE German
press will scarcely find Wilson's pro-
gram more congeniaI than LLOYD
Georges. They vary merely in the
degree OF emphasis and fulIness on
particular questions-there is not the
slightest disagreement in essential
policy.
president Wilson's generous views
as to the Bolsheyiki are obviously
easier for Americans than for the
British. America has not suffered
as we have from the sabotage Of Rus
sia's defenses, for which reason
America can contemplate the situa
tion in a more philosophical spirit"
Depends On Unity of Nations.
Westminster Gazette (dlscussing
the paragraph referring to freedom Of
the seasD: "In a world governed by
open covenants, disarmed by mutual
consent and freed as far as possible
from economic barriers. this aspira-
tIon could not hold any terrors for us
but in today's fighting of the world
il would mean disarming Of sea power
without a corresponding Hdimunition i'm
military power on land--to the great
advantage OF the militarist land pow
ers and the disadvantage of the 9th
ers. America included
Let us be careful to understand
and to make the enemy understand
that President Wilson's proposal de-
pends on an association Of nations"
Evening Star: president Wilson's
attitude toward Russia is immeasur.
ably wiser, more thorough. more
right, and sAner than our hide bound
foreign office and the revolutionary
war cabinet, whose personnel is
caricature on British democracy. Let
US force them to answer the voice of
the Russian people"