Evening star., 1924-03-22
CHAPTER NSNII.
lea to enter the war and his early
moves for peace.

Why President Wilson asked Amer
moves for peace.
No one thing led the United States
into war with Germany. The sinking &
of American ships by submarines, the
loss of American lives on the high
seas, the plotting of the German for
eign Office of an alliance between
Mexico and Japan against the United
States, the proclamation of lnre-
stricted submarine warfare by the
Germans in defiance of the laws of
war and the rights of neutrals, all
of these played their influential part,
but when Woodrow Wilson read his
message to Congress he idealized the
war-he said it was to make the
world safe for democracy through the
defeat of militarism and autocracy.
Those who watched at close range the
events in Washington which led to
the great climax will differ in their
judgments of what turned the scales
to war, but it is the authors convic-
tion that President Wilson. conscious
of a united public opinion and re-
sentful of the violation of American
rights, entered the contest because
he believed, first. that the United
States must aid the allies to win, and,
second, that the entry of the United
States was the surest means of fore
ing peace.
The effect of the Russian revolu-
tion, which at first inspired every one
with enthusiasm because of the re-
birth of Russia itself, soon came to
be understood as a German victory,
for it released the kaiser's troops
from the eastern front and enabled
Centrate on the western front, where
the forces of the allies were proving
themselves unable to withstand the
drives of the German army.
Feared For Allied Cause.
The Russian revolution impressed
Mr.. Wilson as a bad omen for the
allied cause-for he never believed
that a German victory would mean
peace in Europe. He thought 1t
would only be truce until another
war could be fought, for he knew
the spirit of France and England.
In the United States preceding the
declaration of war, which came on
April :, 1917, there was no doubt
bout the determination of President
Wilson. The severance of diplomatic
relations with Germany on Februaty
., bad paved the way ior the iheNi
table step.
The President was simply shaping
his course to write a war messase
that would assure him OF sympa-
thetic opinion and an enthusiastic ma
lion Even in those days there was a
distinct objective in Washington ful-
filled twenty months later when the
German people overthrew the lmpe
rial German government ana sousns
an armistice Mr.. Wilson recognized
that his message would be looked
upon by future generations as the eA-
position of a new foreign policy; inc
Spanish American war changed our
policy in the sense that IL gave Us
overseas possessions and interests.
There was no telling then what the
result might be of the bigger VEN
ture.
BY making war. on the Imperial
German government instead OF the
German people Mr.. Wilson left the
door open to resume relations at any
time with the German people, OF
whom so many had come to Amerl-
can shores and had become usetul and
people some day would demonstrate
by their choice of leaders that they
were ready and willing to return 70
those ways of honorable dealing ana
humane action which German gov
ernments had SO often in the past
manifested in their intercourse Win
the United States.
Confusion as to Best Aid.
Hardly had President Wilson begun
to organize Americas forces When
the series of missions from France
and Great Britain started an era OF
confusion as to the best method OF
applying Americas help to the strug-
gle abroad The British wanted food
and ships, the French wanted troops.
The story of Americas mobilization
is too recent and too vivid IN recol-
lection to be portrayed here.
The Presidents burdens were stag
gering, yet he moved into me laas ray
never lost sight of his main op-
iective-peace. Even as early as the
autumn of 1917 Mr. Wilson sent Col.
House abroad TO bring about, IL pos
sibIe, an understanding among the
which would be instrumental in lay
ing the foundation for ultimate
peace. The author had occasion TO
nresent to the President in that
month an inquiry propounded by a
newpaper editor with reference to
p<-ee diseussion Mr.; - Wilson tsomsht said TIN in
newspapers could have no concep-
ton of what fire they would be
playing with in discussing peace then
at all in any phase or connection.
He said:
'The Germans having in effect
realized their program Of Hamburg
TO Bagdad,' could afford to nego-
tiate as to all the territorial fringes.
and, If they could bring about dis.
cussion of peace now. would insist
upon discussing it upon terms which
would leave them in possession OF
ali they ever expect to get. 1t is
therefore, very indiscreet, in my
judgment, and altogether against the
national Iinterest to discuss peace
from any point of view if the admin
istration is brought in in any way.
SPECIAL NOTICES.