The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-12-21

will be as acceptable to him as anoth-
err II only the great object he has In
mind be attained.
objects All the Same.
"'He takes the liberty OF calling at
tention to the fact that the objects
which the Statesmen OF the belligerents
on both sides have in mind in this
war are virtually the same, as stated,
in general terms to their own people
and to the world.
| Each side desires to make the
rights and privileges OF weak peoples
and small states as secure against az
gression or denial in the future as
the rights and privileges of the great
and powerful states now at war.
Each wishes itself to be made
secure in the future. along with all
other nations and peoples, against
the recurrence OF wars like this. and
against aggression OF selfish inter
ference of any kind.
Each would be Jealous OF the forms-
| ton OF any more rival leagues to pre-
| serve an uncertain balance of power
amidst multiplying suspicious; but each
IL ready to consider the formation OF
a league of nations to insure peace and
justice throughout the world.
US. vitality Interested.
Before that final step can be taken.
however, each deems II necessary first
to settle the issues OF the present war
upon terms which will certainly safe
guard the independence. the territorial
integrity. and the political and COM
mercial freedom OF the nations involved.
In the measures to be taken TO Sc
cure the future peace OF the world the
people and Government OF the United
States are as vitality and as directly
Interested as the governments now at
war. Their interest. moreover. In the
means to be adopted to relieve the
smaller and weaker peoples OF the
world Of the peril OF wrong and violence
In rs quick and ardent as that OF any
other people or government.
They stand ready. and even eager.
to cooperate In the accomplishment OF
every influence and resource at their
command. But the war must first be
concluded.
Fears Grsver Situation.
The terms upon which II Is to be
concluded they are not at liberty to
suggest: but the President does feel
that II In his right and his duty to
point out their intimate interest In Its
conclusion. lest II should presently be
too late TO accomplish the greater
things which lie beyond its conclusion,
lest the situation OF neutral nations, |
now exceedingly hard to endure. be
rendered altogether intoierable. and
lest. more than all. an injury be done
civilization itself which can never be
atoned for or repaired. ,
Thinks Act Justified.
The President therefore feels alto. |
Eether justified In suggesting an Inn
mediate opportunity for a comparison
OF views as 20 the terms which must !
precede thoso ultimate arrangements |
for tho peace OF the world. which all |
desire and In which the neutral ma
lions as well as those at war are ready
TO play their full responsible part.
III the contest must continue 20
proceed toward underlined ends bv |
slow attrition until the one group of |
bclligerents or the other L. exhausted. |
n million after million OF human lives |
must continue TO be offered up until |
on the one side or the other there |
are no NOR. to offer. n rercntments !
must be kindied that can never cool |
and despairs engondered from which |
there can be no recovery. hopes or |
peace and OF the willing concert Of y
free peoples will be rendered vain and |
idle.
Whole World Affected.
"'The life Of the entire world has |
been profoundly affected. Every part |
OF the great family OF mankind rHs
felt the burden and terror Of this nm.
I'D nf Na L
ton In the civilized world can he said |
In truth to stand outside it, influence
or TO bo safe against It's disturbing
effects. And yet the concrete objects |
for which IL II being wRRed awe
never been dchnitivcly stated.
Never stated object
""rhe leaders OF the several bellig
erents have. as has been said. stated |
those objects In general terms. hut, |
stated In general terms. they seem the |
same on both sides. Never yet have |
the authoritative spokesmen OF either
side avowed tho precise objects which /
would. IL attained. satisfy them and
their people that the war had been
fought out.
"'The world has been left to con-
lecture what dennitive results. what
actual exchange OF guarantees, what
political or territorial changes OF re-
adjustments. what stage OF military |
success even. would bring the war To
an end.
IL Not Proposing Peace.
ut may he that peace Is nearer
than we know: that the terms which
the belligerents on the one side anj |
Dr. the other would deem II n'cessarv
TO insist upon are not so 'rreconCIl-
nhle as some haN, feared: that AN IN