The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1916-06-01
WILSON TO OFFER
PEACE TO EUROPE
PRESIDENT URGES END OF WAR
IN sPEEcHaATa CAPITAL. ~.
HE WOULD FORBID WORLD WARS
viii Insist Upon Freedom of Seas as
One Of the Principal Peace Terms
MAY Suggest Mediation
Soon,

Washington, May 29.--President
Wilson, in an address before the
League to Enforce Peace, indicated in
o guarded way that he is seriously
considering the offering Of his serv-
ices as mediator in the European war
and outlined to some extent the basis
upon which he thinks the warning ma
tions should make their agreement.
His statement was taken by many
of those who heard him to mean that
Mr. Wilson may in due time offer his
services as peacemaker on his own
initiative instead of waiting until he
has received a formal request to do so
from one or more Of the belligerents,
a point by which he has guided his at
titude regarding mediation in the
past.
America Must Take Part.
There we're two sentences in the ad-
dress which were taken to indicate
the presidents intention. They fol.
low: .-.-
The desire of the whole world now
turns eagerly toward the hope Of peace
and there is just reason why we
should take our part in the. counsel
upon this great theme. 1t is right that
!, as spokesman OF our government,
should attempt to give expression to
what believe to be the thought and
purpose of the people of the United
States in this vital matter.
. Our own rights as nation, the
privileges and property of our own
people have been profoundly affected.
We are not mere disconnected look
ers-on. The longer the war lasts the
more deeply do we become concerned
that it should be brought to an end
and the world permitted to resume its
normal life and course again.
Broad Principle Of War.
Mr.. Wilson laid down a broad prin-
ciple of right upon which he would
seek to have the world guided.
He first stated that every people
has the right to choose the sovereignty
under which 1t shall live" ....
!. He asserted that the small states
have the right to enjoy the same re.
spect for their sovereignty and terri
torial integrity as the larger, and said
that the world has the right to be free
from every disturbance that has its
origin in aggression.
Applying this to Europe, his hear
ers gathered that Mr.. Wilson favors
the restoration of Belgium, the indie
pendence of Poland, and permission
for the little states to select their own
form of government.
Plans to Enforce Peace.
The presidents suggestions regard
ing the method Of avoiding war in the
future may be summed up thus:
The settlement by arbitration or
other mems, except force, which may
be agreed upon by the nations party
to a quarrel.
Universal association of the nations
of the world to guarantee to all the
free use of the seas.
Agreement by the world league of
nations to prevent any war in viola
ton of treaty pledges or begun with
out submission of the causes to the
Judgment of the world.
President Wilson was introduced by
former President William H. Taft,
who is head of the League to Enforce
Peace, and many of the nations most
notable men heard him speak. Other
speakers were President A. Lawrence
Lowell of Harvard, Smaller Matthews,
president Of the federal council of
churches, and Senator Henry Cabot
Lodge.