The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-01-09
TRADEEQUALITY
AIM CRITICISED
Republicans Construc Wilson's
Phrases as Portending
Free Trade Policy.
OPPOSITION Is AROUSED
President May Not Mean 1t
Literally and an Explana-
tion Is Expected.
OPPOSITION IS AROUSED
Special DespafcA to THp Sun.

Spectdt Despdfch TO THD Sun
WASHINGTON, Jan. s.-President Will
sons statement Of tho aims Of the
United States and the Allies in the
war met with instant approval from
Congress except for one or two notable
passages in his address. Comment by
leaders OF both parties in the Senate
and House was TO the effect that the
message went beyond and supplied
whatever was lacking in the pronounce
ment by Premier Lloyd George a few
days ago.
Some criticism developed Immediately
in both branches OF Congress over the
European territorial adjustments to
which the President virtually had
pledged the nation. The burden Of this
criticism was to the effect that Ameri-
cans never could get exercised over
the boundary lines OF the Balkan coun-
tries. There Is more sympathy with
the plea for adjustment OF the French
and Italian boundaries 'along clearly
recognizable lines of nationality" than
With the other statements Of territorial
readjustments made by the President
as among the things for which America
is fighting.
Third Clause Criticized.
But the point in the message against
which the full fire of Republican wrath
was directed at once was the third
Of the fourteen war aims named by
the President:
The removal so far as possible OF
all economic barriers and the esta b.
lishment Of All equality Of trade con-
ditions among all the nations con-
ssnting to tho peace and associatinS
themselves for its maintenance.
This paragraph was interpreted by
virtually every Republican who had
time to study the message As being
nothing more or less than committing
the American Government to policy
OF free trade following the war. In
stantly violent objection was taken to
II on the Republican side. IT Is sure
to be subjected to the heaviest fire In
Congress unless II is modified by the
Administration in some way or ex-
planned publicly to mean something
other than It apparently means.
Comment Of leading Republicans and
Democrats in the Senate and the House
| follows:
Senator Ashurst (Ariz.) The mes
sage was timely. luminous. specinc ana
clear. No one may now further pretend
to doubt what Americas purposes are.
| Chance to Discuss Peace.
1 Senator Underwood Gala 1T was a
frank message and impressive. IT goes
| further than that In that IT indicates
! that opportunity exists in Europe ana
here for the discussion OF peace.
Hor har la is one
OF the greatest state papers that the
President has ever delivered. 1t states
the reasons why We are at war and the
purposes of the American Government
in language that cannot be mistaken.
Senator Swanson 'Va.)---I heartily
approve the Presidents message. II
was clear and specific. and eloquently
and ably presented the causes for which
the United States and the Allies are
contending.
Senator Borah Gdaho)--T am par
ticularly pleased with that part Of the
message which relates to Russia. I be
lieve it will have a good effect In Russia
As to the other portions of the message
/ want to say that ] am In favor o,
prosecuting the war to an honora biz
and permanent peace that is, as ncarl,
permanent as the human mind can fore
see now I hope We will not get in tht
habit Of discussing too much territoria
readjustment That is the European
vice. think the third paragraph OF hi
peace terms with reference to trad,
condition Is also worthy Of particular
mention.
Senator Smoot (Utah)--What els,
can it mean than an elimination OF al
tariff? If that Is what the Presiden