Woodrow Wilson: “It is plainly my present duty to attend the Peace Conference in Paris.”

Clearly, this is no time for the erection here of high trade barriers.

I herewith call your attention to an agreement with Belgium made by the British and French Premiers and myself.

Actual relief can come only from the adoption of constructive measures of a broader scope, from the restoration of peace everywhere in the world.

Very little reflection would lead any one to conclude that the measure would not furnish in any substantial degree the relief sought by the producers of most of the staple commodities which it covers.