UNITED STATES.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 December 1918, Page 7

UNITED STATES.

PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS TO CONGRESS

APPEAL FOR CO-OPERATION.

PEACE BASED ON INTERNATIONAL

JUSTICE,

Washington, Dec. 2. 'President Wilson, in hi 3 address to Cougress, formally announced his intention to visit Paris for toe meetings of the Peace Conference, owing to the Allies having adopted his twelve points. He would keep in close touch by cable and wireless with events at home. The French and British Governments have removed all restrictions on the transmission of peace news of the Peace Conference to America. The United States had taken over the American system in order to make a unified system available. Mr. Wilson asked for the co-operation of Congress. He devoted the larger part of his address to the United States railway problem, declaring that it would be a disservice to the country to allow the lines to return to the old conditions without modifications. Mr Wilson said he was ready to release the railways from Government control if a satisfactory plan of readjustment was worked out.

He hoped to see the formal declaration of peace by spring. The President said: "We seek a peace based on international justice rather than domestic safety. We expect the treaty of peace by spring. The nations having accepted my principles it is my duty to see there are no false or misleading interrelations placed on them." Mr. Wilson appealed again for the endorsement of women's suffrage, because of the splendid work women had done during the war. . After asserting that he had no private object in going to France, Mr Wilson added: "It is now my duty to play a full part in making good what American soldiers offered their life-blood to obtain. It is impossible now to outline the reconstruction programme, but it is necessary to levy 6000 million dollars in 1919."

Representative William Rodenberg introduced in the House a resolution declaring that President Wilson's trip to Europe disqualified him from acting in his Presidential capacity, and appointing the Vice-President to act during his absence. The President said the United States was providing a naval building programme extending over three years. The treaty with Colombia ought to be ratified in order to promote the improvement of 'Pan-American relations. The three-year naval programme must be consummated. American war materials, including foodstuffs, must be supplied in a large measure to the warstricken areas.

THE SENATE AND PEACE CONFERENCE.

Washington, Dec. 2. •Senator Cummins, of lowa, has introduced a motion in the Senate proposing that a committee of four Democrats and four Republics should proceed to France to keep the Senate informed as to the proceedings of the Peace Conference.—Aua. N.Z. Cable Assoc.