Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-02-12
PRESIDENT OPENLY
INVITES AUSTRIA To
PEACE DISCUSSION
Lays Down Basis for Negotia-
tons in Address to Con-
greSS-SevereIy Scores leu
ton MiIitariStS

| WI WIN lClI TOTO
WASHINGTON, Feb. 11-Presfdent
Wilson today openly invited Austria to
further discussion of peace with the
United States.
In remarkable address to congress in
| joint session, the president laid down.
| the basis for such negotiations. Austria
he said, seeing and conceding the es-
sential principles involved and the ne
ceSsity of candidly applying them, can
respond to the purpose of peace as ex-
pressed by the United States with less
embarrassment than could Germany"
No peace is possible, he declared, on
German Chancellor Won Hertling's basis
individual barter and concession
The address was another broadside N
the presidents world campaign Of ''open
| air diplomacy"
1t embodied an open bid to Austria
and a powerful stroke at the German
nriltarists. 1t aimed again 10 widen the
wedge between the Teuton peoples and
their junker rulers
| If the nations are TO go further in
their comparisons of views the presi-
dent declared today, this Foundation.
must be adhered to:
HIS Principles
| Every difficulty must be settled
on its own merits.
| 2-There shall be no bartendng in ma
tons as in the congress of Vienna
3-The voice of the people must di-
rect territorial settlements.
Full opportunity to carry out we'll
defined national aspirations must be
acknowledged.
On this foundation the president de-
clared general peace can be- dis
cussed."
| Until such a peace can be attained
I'VE have no choice but to go on"
Germany, the president said, is trying
to arrange a peace following the meth
cd Of the congress OF Vienna
| I'VE cannot and viii not return TO
that"
He, scaEhingly attacked Chancellor
iHeartTing's recent war zhns speech az
l''vague, confusing and full of eQuivocal
phrases"
On the other hand. Count Czernin. the
Austrian premier, he said, Seems to
see the fundamental elements of peace
with clear eyes and does not, seek to
obscure them" He expressed belief
that Czernin would have gone much fur
ther in his reply to the last war aims.
IF 1t had not been for Austrta's al
lance with and dependence upon Ger
many"
Threatens No One
In the present situation America
threatens no one. the president declar-
led; but to the end of attaining prin-
ciples for which she entered the war
the United States els rapidly mobiliz-
ing it's resources; is sending its army
to the fighting front" and putting our
whole strength into this war of eman-
cipation.''
And all the time, "she is quite ready"
he added, ito be shown that the set
Elements she has suggested are not the
best or the most enduring. They are
only her provisional sketch Of principles
and the way they should be applied"
Americas force" he concluded, "is
a menace to no nation or people. It
will never be used in aggression or self
aggandizement. 1t springs out Of free
dom and is for the service of freedom"
Approved by Congress
Characterizing President Wilson's ad-
dress ais a strong appeal to the peoples
of the central powers, members OF con-
gress expressed unqualified approval
| It was regarded as another big step
toward breaking the German people
away from their imperialistic masters
The president was interrupted by APP
lplause at every reference to the United
Estates standing steadfastly against
lpatched-up peace. Probably the great
est applause broke out when the presi-
dent declared that the militarists Of
Germany were the only element now pre-
venting a world peace When he con-
cIuded, after speaking only twenty min
utes. the entire audience rose and
cheered.
Approval Of the address was express
ed by many members Of both houses,
who thought it opportune and the es-
sence of a permanent peace.
Senator Reed, Democrat, thought IL
~shrewd move to dissolve Germany and
Austria
1T was every opportune, eloquent
ior1 FINE 2v,6 7 kaa MI " sSf In
all of it's phrases" said Senator Swan
son. Democrat
THE speech puts the German rulers in
a most awkward position and satisfies
me that if our own people pull to-
gether and there is no friction among
the allies the war will not last year.
If the expected German offensive on
the western front fails, as 1 have no
doubt that it will, the Teuton imperial
lists cannot keep peace away from their
people for many months" said Chair
man Flood, of the house foreign af-
fairs committee.
THE address puts the whole ques-
ton of peace right at the doors of the
German rulers said Representative
Sherley, Kentucky. at points the way
to much better conditions for the Ger
man people, if they will only grasp the
friendly American hand"
Minority Leader Gillette praised the
address as another clear statement of
our intents and purpose with an appeal
to the liberal people of the central pow
ers."
Meyer London, New York, epitomized
the address as mainly IAN appeal to
| the liberals of the world to throw OF
the yoke of imperialistic domination"
1t indicated to me clearly that the
president sees something far more than
mere winning the war" he said. That
comes first but he is also deeply con-
cernsd in the welfare of all peoples after
the war. The president stfove to drive,
home that there is in fact an interna-
tional court-public opinion of the
world. He pointed out clearly to Won