The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1918-12-02
Explains Trip Abroad

welcome this opportunity 20
make plain 90 the gentlemen OF the
congress the reasons for my trip
abroad. realize the great incon.
venienecH that viii attend my Ieay.
ing The country. particularly at this
| time. but the conclusion that IL
was my paramount duty TO 20 was
forced upon me by considerations
which l. hope viii seem as conclu
sive TO you as they have seemed
20 me.
The allied governments have &C.
cepied the bases OF pace which I
outlined 10 the congress OF the Sth
~ January. last. as the central en-
pires also have and. very reason.
ably. desire my personal counsel In
their Interpretation and application,
and IL iH highly desirable that I
should give II In order that the sin
ocre desire OF our government TO
contribute without selfish purpose
OF any Kind TO settlements that
would be Of common benefit to all
the nations concerned may be made
fully manifest.
The peace settlements which are
now to be agreed upon are of
transcendant Importance both TO us
and 10 the rest OF the world. and 1
know OF no business or interes,
which should take precedence of
them.
The gallant mon Of our armed
forces on land and sea have con.
sciously fought for tho ideals which
they know to be the ideals of thclr
country l have sought to express
those ideals. they have accented
my statements TO them as the sub.
stance OF their own thought and
purpose as the associated govern.
ments have accepted them.
l owe IT 20 see TO II SO far as In
me lies that no false or mistaken
Interpretation is put upon them ana
no possible effort omitted TO realize
them, IL is now my duty TO nla,,
my fun part In making good VIVA,
they offered their life's blood TO OBJ.
tain.
can think Of no call TO service
which could transcend this / shall
be in close touch with you and with
affairs on this side OF the water. and
you will know all that / do
Censorship Is orr
AT my request, the French and
English governments have absolute.
Is removed the censorship of cable
news which. until within a fortnight
they had maintained. and there is
now no censorship whatever excr.
ciscd at this end. except upon at.
tempted trade communications with
enemy countries
IL has been necessary 10 keen
an open wire constantly available
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 wires OF the cables
have temporarily taken over the
control Of both cables In order that
they may bc used as single
system.
| did SO at the advice OF the most
experienced cable officials. and |
''""' wat ti' ItNullS Will justify
my hope that the news OF the next
few months may pass with the at.
most freedom and with the least
possible delay, from each side of the
sea to the other.
Asks for support
May not hope. gentlemen of the
congress, that in the delicate tasks
| shall have TO perform on the other
side OF the sea, In my efforts truly
and faithfully to interpret the prin-
ciples and purposes OF the country
we love. may have the encourage.
mcnt and the added strength of
your united support
/ realize the magnitude and diff
cult duty | am undertaking. am