The Mena weekly star., 1918-12-05
PRESIDENT WILSON
TO 65IH CONGRESS
EXPLAINS His Proposed Attendance
At Peace Congress and Pays
Great Tribute 70 American
SsIdiers-Much Applause


Washington, Dee. 2.-In his address
at the opening OF the third and last
session Of the Sixty Fifth Congress
today. President Wilson said during
the last year great events and great
results have been crowded into histo
r. and that he was unable to give an
adequate picture Of the far-reaching
changes in the life Of America and
shs ~orsS. Bas seae af the outztand-
ing facts are unmistakable and the
stage must be set for legislative and
executive action to meet them.
lie is going to attend the peace
conference because the allied govern
ments have accepted his principles
and it is his paramount duty to be
present. He viii keep in close touch
with Congress by wireless and cable
and Congress viii know Of all he does
in Europe. There is to be no censor
ship on the news dispatches concern
ing the peace Congress and be hopes
to see the formal peace treaty signed
BY the time spring has come
He said that no definite program Of
reconstruction can be outlined now
but the government control Of bust
ness and industry is being released
as rapidly as possible The Presi-
dent endorsed the plan to raise six
billion dollars BY taxation next year
mad four billion dollars in 1920 He
endorsed the three year naval build
ing program because i would be I'M
wise 70 attempt to adjust the Amer
lean future naval program when the
world policy is still unsettled
The president has no solution Of
the railroad problem now and he ask
ed that Congress should give the
question careful study. That the
railroads should not be permitted to
return to the old conditions under
private management without meSasssks;;
cations He viii be ready to release
the railroads from government con-
troll whenever a satisfactory plan for
xeadjusssnent IS worked out
President Wilson paid a tribute to
the conduct Of the people generally
during the war. speaking particular
IL Of the work Of women and again
appealed for suffrage for women by
federal amendment He declared that
he had no private thought nor pur-
pose" in going to France but regards
il as his highest duty to play my
full part in making good the peace
the American soldiers offered their
life blood to obtain"
The President said that no such
movement Of troops ever took place
before, over three thousand miles Of
sea. followed by adequate supplies
and equipment, for 1,950.513 men
were carried safely through extraor-
binary dangers Of attack In all this
movement only 75S men were lost BY
enemy attacks.
He said that America profited
greatly by the experience of the al
lied nations which had been engaged
for nearly three years in war, but
that America was an apt pupil and
learned lessons quickly He said
that no soldiers ever proved them
selves more quickly ready for the test
of battle or acquitted themselves
with more splendid courage and
achievement when put to test than
did the Americans
President Wilson, in his tribute to
the fighting men, said:
Il am proud to, be a fellow coun-
tryman Of men Of such stuff and val
or. Those Of as who stayed at home
did our duty; the war could not have
been won or the gallant men who
fought it given their opportunity to
win II. otherwise, but for long time
we shall think ourselves accurssd that
we were not there and hold our man
hood cheap while any speak that
fought al St. Mihiel and Thierry. The
memory Of those days viii 20 with
those fortunate men to their graves
The democratic representatives APP
piauded v0ciferouSly when the Pres
ident announced his intention to at
tend the peace conference; the re-
publican side was silent The Presi-
dent talked forty-two minutes and
eft the chamber to applause which
was limited te the democratic side.
President Wilson said:
I'VE all thank God with the deep
est gratitude that our men went into
battle Just at the critical moment
when the whole fate Of the world
seemed to hang in the balance, and
threw their fresh strength into the
ranks of freedom and turned the tide !
Of the fateful struggle. After that
it was only four months until the
commanders Of the central powers
knew themselves to be beaten. Now
their very empires are in liquidation.
Those Of US who stayed at home
and did our duty in unity Of purpose
and with untiring zeal can never be
ashamed. and now we are sure Of the
great triumph for which every sacri-
flee was made and for peace secure
against violence Of irresponsible
monarchs and ambitious militarists.
I'VE are about to give order and
organization 70 peace, not only for