New-York tribune., 1918-01-09


president Wilson's message is one
of the greatest ever written by an
American President unqucstionably.
The peace it so clearly outlines is one
based on justice. If Germany doesn't
accept it She may soon discover some
serious internal ills. The message,
coming after Lloyd Georges declara-
tion, shows that the United States and
England are in close accord; that we
have taken the leadership and are
making the war truly a holy war
Professor Michael Pupin, of Columbia
University:
Serbia and Montenegro arc to gain
rot only political but also economic in
dependence and access to the sea. This
would guarantee to Serbia freedom
from Austrian economic oppression,
which has threatened its very exist
once for over a century.
"If frcer opportunities for autono-
nous development of the peoples of
Austria Hungary arc granted, then the
formation of South Slavonic State, as
proclaimed in the Declaration Of
Corfu, is inevitable This state, mean
ing a union Of Serbs, Croatians and
Slovcnes of Austria-llungary with Ser
bia, is the highest national aspiration
Of these people.
an the present declaration, Prcsi-
dent Wilson demands frcest oportun-
ity be given to the peoples of Austria
Hungary to create for themselves new
conditions in harmony with the doc
trine of self determination. 1t is true
President Wilson and Lloyd George de-
clared openly they were not fighting
for the dismcmberment of the Austri-
an Empire. OF course. they are not,
1~,,%
Der itself if it refuses to give the pco-
pie what belongs to them in accord
with this doctrine Of sclf-determina-
ton. If Austria does give these
things, the South Slavonic State will
be the result
James P. Holland, president of the
New York State Federation of Labor
"rhc Presidents address is new
bill of rights. 1t is democracy's def
to autocracy. 1t is the frank avowal
of the aims of nation which entered
the war to insure the continuance Of
human progress and the downfall of
militarism. 1t is Americas S message
of cheer and hope to suffering and
subjugated humanity. 1t is a message
pledges TO give up our dollars and
our lives in this glorious struggle to
rid the world of the ogre Of Kaiscrism.
Labor is honorcd to give its hearty
approval to the Presidents message"
Former President William Howard
Taft. when seen at New Haven last
night declined to comment on Presi-
dent Wilson's address.
Professor Theodore Woolsey, Yale Law
School:
"The difference between President
Wilson's peace statements and those OF
Lloyd George is that Wilson's is much
more rhetorical and less specific re-
garding Belgium, Alsace Lorraine, the
freedom Of the seas and commercial
restrictions. 1t is difficult to gather
his exact meaning in speaking Of trade
with all countries"
Mrs. Henry Willard:
"The Pres sdent's address is Won
derful state paper. am hopeful that
it will be of great help, not only to
This country, but to the whole world
in this time of crisis and stress"
George Haven Putnam:
81 find myself in substantial accord
with the Presidents declaration OF
principles. His clear statement in re-
gard to Alsace Lorraine is particularly
pleasing. | do feel the statement gives
the Bolsheviki more credit than they
are entitled to. When the President
speaks Of their brave stand l remem-
Der that before they made it they had
d;sorganized the Russian army. But
perhaps to credit them and encourage
them is matter Of political eXpedicncy
1T this time"