The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-03


 son of the Rev J. I. Stockton of this city and he had been in the service two years, having enlisted at the time of the Mexican trouble. He saw service on the border as well as in France.
 the whole problem instituted at once, and prosecuted as rapidly as possible. stand ready and anxious to release the roads from the present control, and I must do so at very early date if by waiting until the statutory limit of time is reached shall be merely prcionging the period or doubt and uncertainty which is hurt ful to every interest concerned.
 ANNOUNCES TRIP
 'I welcome this occasion to announce to the Congress my purpose to join in Paris the representatives of the govern ments with which we have been asso- ciated in the war against the central empires for the purpose of discussing with them the main features of the treaty H peace. I realize the great in conveniences that will attend my leav. ing the country. particularly at this time, but the conclusion tha. 1t was my para mounty duty to go has been forced upon mo by considerations which l hope will seem as conclusive to you as they have seemed to me.
 The allied governments have accepted the bases of peace which I 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 appli- cation. and 1t is highly desirable that should give 1t in order that the sincere desire of our government to contribute without selfish purpose of any kind to settlements that will be of common bene- tn al a nations concerned may De made fully manifest. The peace settle- ments which are now to be agreed upon are of transcendent importance both to us and 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 lana and sea have consciously fought for the ideals which they knew to be the ideals of their country; I have sought to ex- press those ideals; they have accepted my statements of them as the substance of their own thought and purpose, as the associated governments have accepted them: Lowe it to them to see to 1t, so far as in me lies, that no false or mis- taken interpretation Is put upon them, and no possible effort omitted to realize them. It is now my duty to play my full part in making good what they or fered their life's blood to obtain. l can think of no call 10 service Which Souiu transcend this.
 IN TOUCH WITH HOME
 I shall be in close touch with you ana with affairs on this side of the water and you will know all that I do. At my request, the French and English govern ments have absolutely removed the cen sorship of cable news, which until within A fortnight they had maintained, ana there is now no censorship whatever ex- ercised at this end except upon at tempted trade communications with enemy countries. It has been necessary to keep an open wire constantly avail able between Paris and the department of state and another between France and the department of war. In order that this might be done, with the least possible interference with the other uses of the cables, have temporarily taken over the control of both cables in order that they may be used as a single sys- fem. I did so at the advice of the most experienced cable officials and 1 hope that the results will justly my nope that the news of the next few months may pass with the utmost freedom and With the least possible delay rom each sioe of the sea to the other
 MayiI not hope, gentlemen of the Con- ,.ress that in the delicate tasks shall have to perform on the other side or the sea- in my efforts truly and faitn- fulIy to interpret the principles and pur- poses of the country we love, l may have the encouragement and the aoded strength of your united supportv real ize the magnitude and difficulty or the duty am undertaking; l am poignanliy aware of its grave responsibilities. !! am the servant of the nation. can nave no private thought or purpose CT my own in performing such an errand. go to give the best that is in me to the common settlements which l must now ssist in arriving at in conference with inc other working heads of the asso- ciated governments. shall count upon vour friendly countenance and encour- :. cement. shall not be inaccessinie. Tpa cables and the wireless will renaer me available for any counsel or service vo, may desire of me, and l shall pc < snnv in the thought that l am con stantiv in touch with the .weighty mat tars of domestic policy with which we mai, .S have to deal shall make my ao- sancs as hrief as possible and shall hope 1o rstnrn with the happy assurance that fl has besss possible to translate into : action the great ideals for which Amer