How does wilson use the meaning of the word freedom to justify war

having been elected in 1916 on a platform of "strict neutrality," it was a difficult decision for president woodrow wilson to ask for a declaration of war against germany. but, the german navy's unrestricted submarine warfare and the sinking of the  housatonic,  an american cargo ship on february 3, 1917 caused president wilson to break diplomatic relations with germany; then, when the u.s. steamer aztc was torpedoed by german submarines near brest and twenty-eight of its crew members drowned on april 1, 1917, wilson felt compelled to address congress because of the continued acts of aggression by germany.

before president wilson, the watchword was "independence" for america, but wilson justified the u.s. entry into war

for a universal dominion of right by such a concert of free peoples as shall bring peace and safety to all nations and make