The state herald., 1916-06-02
BASIS FOR MEDIATION
Speech Before League to Enforce
Peace outlines What He VIII
Propose II Offer Of Mediation
Is Made BY America to BEL
llosrsnts.
Western Newspaper Union Nows Service.


Washington, May SO.-President
Wilson declared here Saturday night
before the League to Enforce Peace
that the United States was ready to
join in any feasible association Of ma
tions to preserve the peace OF the
world against political ambition ana
selfish hostility and in service OF "a
common order, q common Justice and
q common peace" He expressed the
hope that the terms Of peace which
end the present war would include
such an agreement.
Outlining suggestions for peace,
which the President said he hoped the
United States would make II 1t has
opportunity to do so. he included the
provision for absolute freedom Of the
seas. . contention which has been the
keystone OF all the diplomatic discus
sions with Germany and Great Brit
ain, and virtual guarantees Of terri.
torial integrity and political independ-
ence.
Officials interpreted the Presidents
address as a preliminary feeler for
peace in Europe. He outlined the
conditions ON which the United
States would move II It made for
NAL mediatory offer with the idea. II
was understood, OF learning how
such suggestions would be received
abroad.
outlines Peace Proposal.
Il am sure" said the President.
that the people Of the United States
would wish their government to move
along these lines:
First. such settlement with re-
gard to their own immediate inter
ests As the belligerents 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 pres
ent quarrel. Our interest il only in
peace and It's future guarantees.
Second, q universal association OF
nations to maintain the inviolate Sc
curity Of the highway Of the seas for
the common and unhindered use Of
all the nations Of the world and to
prevent any war begun either con.
trary to treaty covenants or without
warning and full submission OF the
causes to the opinion OF the world
virtual guarantee OF territorial In
tegrity and political independence"
The fundamentals of lasting
peace. President Wilson said he be.
lieved were:
First, that every people has right
TO choose the sovereign under which
they shall live.
Same Liberty for All Nations.
Like other nations" the President
said, have ourselves no doubt
once and again offended against that
principle when for n little while con.
trolled by selfish passion. as our
franker historians have been honor.
able enough to admit; but II has be-
come more and more our rule OF life
and action.
Second. that the small states Of
the world have right TO enjoy the
same respect for their sovereignty
and for 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 disturb
ance Of itY peace that has Its origin
in aggression and disregard OF the
rights OF people and nations"
The outstanding lei,son OF the world
war. the President said. had been that
the peace of the world must hence.
forth depend upon new and more
wholesome diplomacy
IF this war has accomplished moth.
Ing else for the benefit OF the world.
said he. ut has at least disclosed n
great mornl necessity and set for.
ward the thinking OF tho statesmen
Of the world by a whole age. Repeat
cd utterances Of the leading states
men Of most Of the great nations now
engaged In war have made II plain
that their thought has come to this:
Tint tho principle Of public right
must henceforth take precedence over
the individual interests Of particular
nations, and that the natiors OF the
world must In some wny band them.
selves together to sec that that right
prevails agninst any sort Of selfish
aggression: that henceforth alliance
must not be set up against alliance.
hut there must he common agree
mcnt for q common object. and that
at the heart OF that common object
must lie the invioinblc rights OF poo
MOS and Of mankind.
80 sincerely do wc believe In these
things" snid the President In con.
clusion. that I am sure that ! speak
the mind and wish OF the pcoplc Of
America when I say that the United
States is willing to become n partner
In any feasible association OF nations
formed In order to realize these oh
jects and mako them secure against
violation"
Tho President told his hearers he
had not come TO discuss . program
but only 10 avow a creod and give
expression TO the confidence that tho
world was approaching day when
some common force would bc created
for "ths service q common ordor.
common jus..cc and common
peace"
when tho Invitation TO he hero 10.
night camc 10 me- he said. II was
simd 10 ncccpt it-not because Il Of.
fcrcd mo an opportunity 10 discuss
the program of the lcague--thnt you