Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-12-17
WILSON TO STRESS
IMPORTANCE OF u. S.
VICTORY IN ADDRESS
(Continued from Page ons.)

ing ner navy in the forces of an in
ternational organization, so that by
common council and treaty the re-
port of every nation not to be dis
criminal d against in commerce VIII
be set down definitely. America
would not more than any other coun-
Try permit the seas to be dictated
by a. single power, but would willing
~ submit to arrangements and rul
lngS made by league, because II
auopted in the open ana in tull view
vi me whole world, opportunity Woulu
be equal even if resources were not
the same.
This is important, incidentally,
from the viewpoint of American
business, because the whole future
and expansion OF foreign trade, so
as to maintain high vases and pres
ent prosperity in America, depend on
our opportunity to participate al
world commerce without having GER
tain ports closed or certain regula-
tons made about freight rates by. one
nation or group OF nations, WHICH
would hamper us at every turn III
developing our merchant marine
Americans here believe there Is room
enough for everybody in world trade
and that England has nothing to feaT
from American competition, as she
still controls enough raw material
and cotton to enable her to achieve
her economic recuperatiOn as fast as
if not faster than, any other being
erent, but from a practical stand
point, it would be folly for America
not to insist that no secret or arol-
trary power be able to monopollze
trade or commerce through the use
Of political potentiality.
Our Only Alternative
Tf other nations insisted nDOl
such a policy, tho only alternative
for America would be to start OFF TO
build the biggest navy in the world
and to embark on the biggest mer-
chant ship construction program
The request of Secretary Daniels to
congress to continue our large naval
program is in line with the view OF
American policy held here to con-
tinue building until international
agreement gives nations with small
naVies an unembarraSSed Opportunl-
ty, made specific in written covenants
OF peace, and not dependent on the
wisdom or good nature or discre-
ton of any future ministry or ruler
in any country.
So far as England is concerned, she
will get better business arrange
mcnts for the Importation of Ameri-
can raw materials if she embraces
the Observation-Disclosures program than
il she compels vidualistic COM
petition, and this view is being i'm
pressed upon our allies.
The people in America ought not
TO get the impression that the al
lies are at skies and sevens, and
most of all, the uninformed maSSeC
should not be permitted to get the
idea that these differences of opinion
may lead to serious eventualities
because, after all. democratic nations
are discussing these things so frank
ly and sincerely that, while it may
take time for one side to convince
the other, they are like friends in
private life-too close together, too
closely bound by common sacrifices
and glorious deeds on the field of
battle-to quarrel over the kind OF
peace that should be imposed on
Germany and ourselves, TO the end
that the whole world be not plunged
again into pool of blood after the
brief intermission of a single genera
ton, but that wars, If they must
come. shall be confined to small
areas, and the great majority of
human beings shall be permitted
80 -'--'T'