Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1916-12-28

the smaller and weaker peoples of the
world of the peril of wrong and
violence Is as quick and ardent as
that Of any other people and govern
ment. They stand ready and even
eager to cooperate in the accomplish
ment of these ends when the war Ia
over with every influence and re-
source at their command.
But the war must first be conclud-
ed. The terms upon which it Is to DO
concluded they are not at liberty to
suggest, but the president does feel
that il Is his right and his duty to
point out their intimate interests in
It's conclusions, lest it should presently
be too late to accomplish the greater
things which lie beyond it's conclu-
sions, lest the situation Of neutral ma
tions. now exceedingly hard to en-
dure, be rendered altogether intoler-
able, and les. more than all, an injury
be done civilization itself which can
never be atoned for or repaired.
President Feels Justified.
The President therefore feels alto
gether justified In suggesting an Inn
mediate opportunity for comparison
OF views as to the terms which must
precede those ultimate arrangements
for the peace of the world, which all
desire and in which the neutral nations
as we'll as those at war are ready to
play their full responsible part. II
the contest must continue to proceed
| towards underlined ends by slow attri-
! tition until the one group of t3lliger-
| ents or the other Is exhausted if mil
| lion after million Of human lives must
| continue to be offered up until on the
one side or the other there are no
more to offer; if resentments are to be
| kindled that never can cool and de-
! spairs engendered from which there
can be no recovery. hopes OF peace and
of the willing concert OF free people
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 IN
| precedented contest of arms. No ma
| ton in the civilized world can be said
! in truth to stand outside It's influence
or to be safe against It's disturbing eff.
fects, And yet the concrete objects
for which 1t Is being waged have never
been definitely stated.
| Stated in General Terms.
The leaders of the several belig.
erents have. as has been said. stated
| these objects in general terms But
| stated in general terms. they seem the
| same on both sides. Never yet have
| the authoritative spokesman of either
side avowed the precise objects which
| would, II 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 or territorial changes on
| readjustment. what stage of military
| success ever would bring the war t.
an end.
Peace May Be Very Near.
1T may be that peace is nearer than
We know; that the terms which the
beiligerents on the one side and or
the other would deem il necessary tc
insist upon are not so irreconcilable
as some have feared: that an inter
change Of views would clear the way
at least for conference and make the
permanent concord of the nations 8
hope Of the immediate future. a con
cert Of nations Immediately practica
BILE.
The President is not proposing
peace, he is not even offering media
ton. He is merely proposing the
soundings be taken in order that W,
may learn. the neutral nations with TIL
belligerent, how near the haven .
peace may be for which all mankint
longs with an intense and increasins
. longing.
Believes Spirit Is Understood.
He believes that the spirit in whic'
. he speaks and the objects which b,
! seeks will be understood by all con
! cerned. and he confidently hopes for
, response which will bring q new ligh