AMERICA DETERMINED TO SEE IT THROUGH

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 62, 6 December 1917, Page 5

AMERICA DETERMINED TO SEE IT THROUGH

PRESIDENTS RINGING SPEECH T# CONGRESS GERMANY MUST BE THOROUGHLY BEATEN Washington, December 4. President Wilson, addressing packed galleries, and in the midst of tlio most impressive scene since the declaration of war, asked that war bo mado ou Austria, in order to remove ail "embarrassing obstacle from our path." America, he said, was not willing to discuss peace until Germany had produced a spokesman whoso word was reliable. The United States did not intend to interfere with Germany's internal affairs, but peace must be decided by a partnership of tlio peoples, not merely by a partnership of Governments. He said it was unnecessary to debate _ the causes of the war. Tlio United States was bound to resent the intolerable wrongs planned against her. In ringing terms, _ President Wilson declared: "Nothing shall turn .tlio United States asido until the war is won and Germany beaten. All talk of peace is out of the question." Peace could only come, the President continued, when tho German people mado it through rulers whom the world could trust, when they made reparation for the destruction their present rulers had wrought, and when Gdrmany receded from all the territory she had acquired by armed conqucst. Intolerable Thing Must bo Crushed. "The people of tlio United States have determined that the intolerable thing whoso ugly face Germany has shown them—this menace, combined with intrigue and force which thcy'now see clearly as tho German power, without conscience or honour, or tlio capacity for ■ covenanted peace —must be crushed, and if not utterly brought to an end. at least shut out from tho friendly intercourse of nations. When this is accomplished, justice must bo done everywhere, to every nation. The final settlement must affect both enemies :;nd friends. No nations or people ought to bo robbed or punished because their irresponsible rulers liavo done abominable wrongs. Tho policy of 'no annexations, .110 contributions, 110 punitive indemnities' lias been used to lead Russia astray; but tlio idea is a just one if rightly applied. That application will only come when autocracy is overthrown, and right is then set up as tho arbiter between nations." The present task, the President continued, was tho winning of the war, and from it nothing would turn them aside. Tlioso who talked of peaco before that was accomplished must talk elsewhere. Germany must repair tho wrong done Belgium, and relinquish the power gained over the Balkans and Turkey, and oven Austria-Hungary. The German people had been deceived by their masters into thinking they were fighting for their lives. The fact' was far otherwise, and it was the duty of tho Alios to undeceive them. It might be impossible at first to admit Germany to free economic intercourse with other peoples, in tho untoward circumstances, after tho war ended. The United States had no intention of interfering in the internal affairs of Germany and Austria-Hungary ; but it was hoped to secure the people' of the Balkans and of tho Turkish Empiro the right and opportunity to make their lives safo against oppression and injustice. The nations were entitled to the free uso of the pathways upon tlio seas, and also to bo assured of access to those pathways. Austria, Poland, and Serbia must have these equally with the United States and the Allies. "The Russian people have been poisoned by the same dark falsehoods- that have kept tho German people in the dark; the jwison has been administered by the same hand." Tho necessity for legislation to control alien enemies and for suppressing profiteers was emphasised in tho specch, and President Wilson continued: "Tho supreme moment in our history has come. The eyes of the people have been opened, and they see tho hand of God laid upon the nations. He will show them favour if they rise to the clear heights of His justice and mercy." War to be Declared on Austria. Tho President asked Congress to declare war immediately 011 Austria; but 110 declaration against Turkey or Bulgaria is recommended. He condemned premature peaco moves, and added: "Germany has done the world deep and abominable wrongs." Tlio Senate will be ready to declaro war on Austria on Friday. Senator Pittman has introduced a motion asking Congress to declaro war 011 Austria, Bulgaria, and Turkey.—Aus. j N.Z. Cable Assn. PRESIDENT'S SPEECH ENTHUSIASTICALLY RECEIVED (Rcc. December 5, 9 p.m.) Washington, Dcccmber 4. Congress will take immediate action to declaro war on Austria. Congressmen have overwhelmingly approved tho President's speech, which is regarded as a brilliant exposition of the country's war purposes, and filled with the spirit of democracy. The. newspaper comments so far are unanimously favourable. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. STRENGTH IN THE FIELD Washington, December 4. The Government expects to have 99,818 officers and 1,606,000 men in the fighting line by .Time, 1919 (?1918).-Aub.-N.Z. Cable Assn.