The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-05-28

moral necessity and set forward IN.
thinking OF the statesmen Of the
world by a whole age.
Repeated utterances OF the leading
statesmen OF most of the great ma
lions now engaged In war have made
II plain that their thought has come
70 this. that the principle Of public
right must henceforth take pre-
icedence over the individual interests
OF particular nations. and that the
nations Of the world must In some
way pand themselves together to see
that that right prevails as asainst
any sort OF selfish aggression: that
henceforth alliance must not be set
up against alliance, understanding
against understanding, but there
must be a common agreement for A
common object. and that at the heart
OF that common object must lie the
inviolabie rights OF peoples and Of
The nations Of the world have be-
come each others neighbors. II is
to their interest that they should
understand each other. In order that
they may understand each other. Il
10 imperative that they should agree
TO Cooperate In a common cause,
ana that they should SO act that the
cause shall be even-handed and inn
partial justice.
This is undoubtedly the thought OF
America. This is what we ourselyes
will say when there comes proper
occasion to say II. y
In the dealings Of nations with one
another arbitrary force must be re-
Jected and We must move forward
TO the thought OF the modern world.
the thought OF which peace Ia the
very atmosphere. That thought con-
sututes q chief part of the passion
ate conviction OF America.
We believe these fundamental
tnings: First, that every people has
under which they shall live. Like
other nations, We have ourselves no
doubt once and again offended
against that principle when for a lit
tie while controlled by selfish pas
sion. as our franker historians have
been honorable enough to admit; but
II has become more and more, our
rule Of life and action. Second. that
the small states Of the world have
q right TO enjoy the same respect
Tor their sovereignty and Tor their
territorial integrity that great and
powerful nations expect And insist
upon. And. third. that the world has
a right to be free from every dis
turbance Of its peace that has its
origin In aggression and disregard
OF the, rights Of peoples and nations.
80 sincerely do we believe in these
things that am sure that / speak
the, mind and wish OF the people of
America when / say that the United
states Is willing TO become a part
ner In any feasible association Of
nations formed in order to realize
these objects and make them secure
against violation.
Their Is nothing that the United
states wants for itself that any
other ton has. We are willing.
on the ontrary. to limit ourselves
along with them to a prescribed
course Of duty and respect for the
rights of others which viii check
any selfish passion of our own. as
II VIII check any aggressive I'M
pulse of theirs.
II IT should ever be our privilege
for peace among the nations now
at war. i am sure that the people
of the United States would wish
their Government to move along
these lines: First, such q settle,
ment with regard to their own Inn
ents may agree upon. We have
nothing material of any kind to
ask for ourselves. and are quite
aware that we are in no sense or
degree parties to the present quar-
rel: Our interest Is only In peace
and its future guarantees.
Second. an universal association
of the nations to maintain the in
violate security OF the highway OF
the seas for the common and un-
hindered use of all the nations OF
the world. and to prevent any war
begun either contrary to tteaty
covenants or without warning and
full submission of the causes to
the opinion of the worlds virtual
guarantee Of territorial integrity
and political independence.
But l did not come here, let me
, repeat, to discuss q program.
came only to avow a creed and
give expression to the confidence I
feel that the world IL even now
upon the eve of a great consum-
nation, when some common force
will be brought into existence
which shall safeguard right as the
first and most fundamental inter-
est of all peoples and all govern
ments, when coercion shall be sum-
moned not to the service of politi-
cal ambition or selfish hostility.
but to the service of a common or
der, a common justice. and COM
God grant that the dawn Of that
day Of frank dealing and OF set
tied peace, concord, and co-opera-
tinn NAV ha uear af handt