New-York tribune., 1918-02-12
Newspapers Laud
Wilson's Address
AS Clever Stroke
Chose Right Time to Ex-
pose Kaiser's Aim, the
General Opinion
Will Enlighten People
Editors Believe Austrians
Particularly Will Be
Swayed

President Wilson's message to Con-
gress was praised as a masterpiece by
newspaper editorials from various
centres of the nation gathered by The
Tribune last night. He chose an oppor-
tune time to speak, it was agreed. and
made a clever move in showing clearly
the imperalstic aims of Germany,
contrastcd with the conciliatory att-
tude of Austria Hungary.
Some of the editorials which appear
to-day arc as follows:
BALTIMORE. "The Sun"-The speech
is to be regarded as a definite move in
definite game. made at this particular
time for particular purpose. Accom-
panying The physical warfare between
psychological warfare. Ideas are be-
ing used as weapons as we'll as shrap-
mel and shells. To weaken the morale
Of the civilian population of the enemy
is about as important as weakening the
/ morale of the soldiers in the field.
President Wilson'S address was move
IN the great peace offensive. 1t was in
tended to force the rulers Of Germany
and Austria to keep faith with their
(! populace.
PHILADELPHIA, "Public LEDGER
An open hand extended to Austria
clenched fist held firmly before the
bullying face of Berlin Imperialism.
That is the position of the President
of this Republic and the chosen leader
of the worlds democracy. That is not
| rr11, ~ ho o{{ i+,tI hof a
American people would have him take,
but it is an attitude which will be
heartily and hopefully commended by
the plain people everywhere.
President Wilson's analysis of Count
Won Hertling's insincerities and sophis-
tries is a masterly exhibition of dia-
lectic skill. He does not leave the
spokesman of the miltaristc party
leg to stand on.
MILWAUKEE, Sentinel" President
Wilson's address will make it still
more difficult for the German and Aus
trian governments to resist the de-
shows plainly how peace may be had,
and the terms are such that only
predatory purpose and the denial of
the elementary rights of nationalism
can challenge. The war can be stopped
and continental Europe saved from ruin
If the mediavalists and radical mega
lomaniacs at Berlin can be brought to
other peoples senses, and that is
none too hopeful proposition, but the
Presidents address is clearly calcu-
lated to help along the process.
ether memorable address to Congress
President Wilson puts the world on
notice again that SO far as the United
States is concerned it is not and never
Will be prepared to consider peace upon
the terms so far announced by Ger
many 1t is to the end that the people
of the Central Powers may know the
Willingness of the United States and
its allies to treat for peace upon rea-
sonable terms that the President made
his remarkable statement to Congress
yesterday, and as clear as is his pres
cntation of the readiness of the En-
tente Powers to consider peace nego-
tiations on a basis that will make the
world safe for democracy, he puts
Germany upon positive and final notice
that until 1t is prepared to modify its
terms its talk of peace is futile.
BUFFALO, "Express"-The Presi-
dents brave, ringing declaration that
the United States will not make peace
until the causes Of this war are ere re-
moved and its renewal rendered as
nearly as may be impossible, are an
inspiration to fresh courage, if any
were disposed to falter, as surely none
IN America were disposed He analyzed
the meaning of the war with unshak-
aDle logic as struggle for the rights
of people based on the principle of
consent of the governed or self.dcter-
mlnatlon which may not be settled by
any new Congress of Vienna nor any
nero trading and bartcring among gov
ernments.
CINCINNATI, enquirer" The at
mosphere is cleared by Mr.. Wilson's
words. The final principles upon which
peace must be based are strongly
spoken and are capable of no msntcr-
pretation. Americas passion for JUS
tice is not selfish; it must appeal to
the hearts of the masses in Germany
straightforward message of the Presi-
dent reaches them without peryersion
or eision
When the soldiery of those nations
are brought to a realization of the fu-
tlity of the war they wage, of the in
domitable will of America and her linn
ltless resources and of her altruistic
purpose, the crew Of murderers who
drive them into the shambles will find
1t healthful to terminate the slaughter
CLEVELAND, "Plain Dealer"-There
and liberty for all the world. This is
the word of the American President to
the nations. The Wilson attitude is the
American attitude. The Czernin pro
nunciamento did not go very far. but
the wonder was that it went as far as
it did, at time when Germany, the
mistress of Austria, was reiterating her
accustomed boasts and dehantly setting
at naught the demands of united de-
e%,.;o
Minister ventured to leave little ajar
President Wilson now endeavors to
open wide for the serious discussion of
peace.
ST. LOUIS. Mo-, "Globc- Democrat"
The Presidents broad stand is an
! answer to Count Czcrnins suggestion
that Austria Hungary negotiate scpar-
ately with the United States while still
supporting its ally. SO long as the
German party that dictated the Chan
cellors speech is in the ascendant, the
only course left to the United States
and its associates is to use all their
resources until the dominant party of
! q n IS -