The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram., 1919-01-03
SENATOR THOMAS
DEFENDS ACTION
OF PRESIDENT
Says Wilson Will Acquit Him
self to Satisfaction of Eel
lowICountrymen.
tBy Associated Press)


WASHINGTON, Jan. 3.-Senator
Thomas of Colorado, Democratic mem
ber of the foreign relations comittee
predicted today in the senate that "at
this critical hour in our diplomatic his
tory" President Wilson would acquit
himself well before the nations and to
the ultimate satisfaction of his coun-
trymen."
Disclaiming any intent to criticise
or condemn senators who have felt
impelled to record their disagreement
with the Presidents outline Of peace
conditions, Senator Thomas said he
regarded 1t as incumbent on those
who felt otherwise to make public ex-
preston of their views lest it be
gathered from their silence that an
nouncements hitherto recorded en-
body the common sentiment of the
American senate"
The Colorado senator deprecated
action of critics in Withholding their
condemnation OF some Of the Presi-
dents fourteen principles until after
those principles had been accepted
not only by the allies. but by enemy
countries as well, saying that this be-
lated criticism may impair the pres
tige or detract from Americas in
flCence in the congress of nations"
Quotes jefferson.
After quoting at length from letters
and opinions by Alexander Hamilton,
Thomas Jefferson and others to show
that the Presidents power in nego-
tlating treaties Is made supreme by
the constitution, Senator Thomas dis
Gus sed the points in the Presidents
reace program which some Republi-
can leaders in the senate have urged
should not be considered until after
the peace conference.
The senator said he was reluctant
to speak of economic barriers and
trade relations, for in the last analy-
sis that is the real obstacle to an all
embracing entente. He added, how
ever, that he cordially endorsed the
presidents demand for "the removal
as far as possible of economic bar
riers."
Freedom OF the seas" Senator
Thomas said, "is a vague and indefin-
able term. 1t is noticeable that the
president declares for absolute free
dom of navigation upon the seas out
side of territorial waters, alike in
peace and war"
The speaker said that since the
submarine has come to stay" inter
national regulation for it's use is inn
perative and that freedom Of naviga-
ton in times of war under laws which
belligerents must be made to respect.
becomes an unavoidable necessity.
League Presents Problem.
Establishment of q league Of ma
tions, Senator Thomas said, presents
a difficult problem. Some of the diff
ficulties already have been mentioned
by other senators, he said and added
that he need "only mention the fin
ancial burden and it's method of dis
tribution, it's inclusion Of the van
quished nations. of Bolshevik Russia
and the Vatican
81 do not say these difficulties are
insuperable," continued the speaker.
"but feel sure that only time and
experience can surmount them. They
will tax the patience and the wisdom
Of the entente. whose immediate and
compelling work is the dictation of
peace to Germany and the organiza-
tions of the nations now springing
from the ashes of Turkey and Aus
tria."
Senator Thomas said he was much
impressed with the suggestion of
Viscount Grey, former British foreign
secretary, that the victorious league
now in force be continued. 1t is
amply comp etent, the speaker said,
to keep the peace of the world and it
may admit other nations to it's asso-
citation as time and experience shall
determine.