East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1916-12-21
ASKS FOR SHOWDOWN.


uncertain balance of power amidst
multiplying suspicious; but each Is
ready to consider the formation Of a
league of nations to insure peace and
Justice throughout the world. Be-
fore that final step can be taken,
however, each deems 1t necessary first
to settle the issues Of the present war
upon terms which will certainly safe
guard the independence, the terrific
rial integrity, and the political and
commercial freedom of the nations in
volved.
Conclusion of War Great Object.
In the measures TO be taken to se-
cure the future peace of the world
the people and government of the
United States are as vitality and is di.
rectly interested as the governments
now al war Their interest more
over, in the means TO be adopted to
relieve the smaller and weaker poples
of the world of the peril of wrong
and violence is as quick and ardent as
that of any other people or govern
ment They stand ready, and even
eager, to cooperate in the accom-
plishment of these ends, when the
war is over with every influence and
resource at their command. But the
war must first be concluded The
terms upon which it is to be conclud-
ed they are not at liberty to suggest
but the president does feel that it is
his right and his duty to point out
their intimate interests in its con-
clusion. lest it should presently be
too late to accomplish the greater
things which lie beyond its conclu.
sion: lest the situation of neutral ma
tions. now exceedingly hard to endure
he rendered altogether intolerable ana
LIST, more than all, an injury be done
civilization itself which can never be
atoned for or repaired
Asks for Definite Terms.
The president, therefore, feels al
together justified in suggesting an
immediate opportunity for compar-
ison of views as to the terms which
must precede those ultimate arrange
ments for the peace of the world
which all desire, and in which the
neutral nations, as well as those at
war, are ready to play their full re-
sponsible part. If the contest must
continue to proceed towards unde-
fined ends by slow attrition until the
one group of belligerents or the other
is exhausted; if million after million
of human lives must continue to be
offered up until on the one side or
the other there is no more to offer;
if resentments must be kindled that
can never cool and despairs engender.
d from which there can be no recov-
cry. hopes Of peace and of the will
ing concert of free peoples will be
rendered vain and idle.
The life of the entire world has
been profoundly affected. Every part
of the great family of mankind has
felt the burden and terror Of this un'
contest of arms. No ma
tion in the civilized world can be said
in truth to stand out to its influence
er to be safe against its disturbing ef-
fects. And yet the concrete objects
for which it is being waged have new
er been definitely stated.
Is Not Proposing Peace.
. THE leaders Of the several bellig-
erents have, as has been said, stated
those objects in general terms. But
stated in general terms, they seem
the same on both sides. Never yet
have the authoritative spokesmen OF
either side avowed the precise OBJ
jects which would, IL attained. satisfy
them and their people that the war
had been fought out The world has
been left to conjecture what definite
results, what actual exchange Of
guarantees, what political exchange OF
guarantees, what political or terrific
rial changes or readiustments, what