THE PEACE CONGRESS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 59, 4 December 1918, Page 5

THE PEACE CONGRESS

PRESIDENT WILSON'S AIMS PROGRAMME OUTLINED NAVAL EXPANSION (liYi , , December .'l, ll.ft'i p.m.) Washington, December -. President Wilson, in his address to Congress, made tho furnial niinnunccment of his intention to visit Paris for the nicotine <il' the I'enco Conference, owing to I lie Allii'.s having adopted twelve of liis Fimriccii I'uint.s. "Wo .wok," lie said, "ii peace based 911 international justice mthev than on dumeslic wifely. Tho Millions having accepted my principles, it is my duly to wo that no false or misleading interpretation is placed upon llkmu.. Wi> expect. Hip treaty i>l , pence by spring Procee'diiiji, llie I , resident said he would keep iii close touch by cabin ami wireless with events at hiine. The French and British (ioverniiienls had removed all rt'sirictions .in tin , transmission ol' news of the Peace Conference, to America.

The President devoted the larger part of hi.s address to the United Slates railway problem, declaring that it would be a disservice to tin , country to allow a return to the old conditions without modifications, 'tie wns ready to release Iho railways from Government control if a satisfactory plan »f readjustment. w «s worked out.' Tho United States had taken o.er the American system of li'legraplis, in order to make a united system available.

l!o appealed ag.iin for tho endorsement of women suffrage, because of tin? splendid work (hi! wnniPii hiid done during the war. lie asserted tluit he had no privato object in going to k'rance.. "11 is now my duly to play a full part in milking good what the American soldiers offered their lifeblood to obtain." It was impossible now to outline the reconstruction programme, but it would be necessary to make a levy of six .thousand millions dollars in lillO. Tho Treaty of Columbia ought to bo ratified, in order to promote the improvement of PanAmerican relations. American raw materials including foodstuffs, uiu.-t bo supplied in a large m'casiire to the warslrickeu areas. He concluded by asking for the co-operation of Congress. Reviewing America's part in the war, the President said: "What we.all lliank God for is that our men we-Vj.'n force into the lino of battle just at the critical moment, when the whole fate of the world seemed to haug in the balance, and threw their fresh strength into the ranks of freedom in lime to turn the whole tide of the fateful struggle, and turn it once for all."

Turning to the tasks of peace, he said: "Peace must be secure against tho vio.lence of irresponsible monarclis and ambitious military coteries, and made ready for tho new ordrr, .'or new foundations of justice and fair dealing. We are about to give order and organisation to this peace, not only for ourselves, but for the. other peoples of the world as fur as they will suffer us to eerve them. It'll- international justice wo Keek, not domestic .safety merely." Referring to the special needs of Helgium and Northern France, the President said Hint no monetary indemnity could save them from a hopeless disadvantage for years (o come unless they specially assisted to rebuild their factories and replace their machinery. He hoped that Congress will facilitate the priorities of export to tluso countries. "I take it for granted." added the President, "that Congress will carry out the naval programme undertaken before we entered the war. Tho Secretary for the Navy lias submitted part of the programme,' which covers the building plans for the next three years, and which has been prepared in accordance with . the policy which Congress hns established, not undo" exceptional conditions of war, but with the intention of adhering to a definite method of developing the Navy. I earnestly recommend the uninterrupted pursuit of that policy. It clearly would/ bo unwise to attempt to adjust our programme to future world policy,, which as ysf is undetermined." The. President concluded by elating his reasons for attending the Peace Conference. ' "The Allied Governments have accepted as the basis of peace the points outlined in the Notn of Januory 8 to the Central Empires. They also have a very reasonable desire for my personal counsel in their interpretation and application. Tt is h'ighlv desirable that 1 should give it in order that the sincere desire o four Government to contribute without selfish purpose, so leartimr to settlements that will be of common benefit to all nations concerned, may be made fully manifest. 1 shall make my absence as brief as possible, and hopo to return with thfi happy assurance that it; has bsen possible to translate into action the great ideals fnr which America lias •striven."—Aus.-N Z. Cable Assn.Reuter. PRESIDENT SAILS TO-DAY. v (Ree. December !, 1.15 a.m.) New York. December 2. The New York "Times" Washington correspondent lo.irns (lint President Wilson will lnavp for France on December 4. -Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

MOTION OF DISQUALIFICATION. Washington, December 2. Mr. W. A. Bodenberg (Illinois) introduced in the House of Representatives a motion declaring that President Wilson's trip to Europe disqualifies him to act as President, and asking for the appointment of tho Vice-President (Mr. T. R. Marshall) to act during his absence — Ans.-N.Z. Cable Assa. SENATORIAL DELEGATION PROPOSED. Washington, December 2. Senator Cummins (Iowa) has introduced a motion in the Senate, proposing that ii committee of four Democrats and four Republicans shall proceed to France to keep tliß Senate informed of the proceedings at the Peace Conference.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE PACIFIC ISLANDS , ONLY SOLUTION-BRITISH ANNEXATION. London, December 2. Mr. Walter Long, epeakbifj at Bristol, said the only solution regarding the Pacific Islands would be their inclusion in the Empire.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE JAPANESE DELEGATES. (Rec. December 3, 7.5 p.m.) New York, December 2. Tha New York "Times" AVashington correspondent learns from official circles that the Japanese Peace delegation will bo composed of the Marquis Snionji, Haron Makino, Viscount Chinda, nnd Councillor Matsuit.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.