New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-20

our INV nhfh pbNhi"N'N'''' 80
widows and our wGr orphans.
Allies Motives Not Selfish
Your great country surely under
stgrds that We. the Allies. are fighting
not only for our own independence
ard our own national honor, but Tor
"A much wider cause. which goes fur
Their than the boundaries OF our own
interests. We are fighting for the
rights OF the Individual and for the
liberty OF peoples.
"The violation Of Belgium brings
out the symboiical significance Of this
whola war. Germany was not salts
fed with declaring war upon US with
out provocation. She had willed TO
butcher US without warning, and, 70
attain that end, she trampled under
her feet i'm passing a little. innocent
people.
This is enough evidence by which
10 Judge the responsibilities OF our
enemies; 3: is enough TO define the
nature Of the struggle in which we
are engaged The United States have
made no mistake about this.
"Are you willing 10 make some com
uent with regard 70 President VII
sons note ." the correspondent asked.
Cannot Stop War Now
Knowing as we do the feelings o.
America. we have not failed TO under
,tand the thought which inspired the
recent initiative Of President wilson,
IT, Poincare replied 1--WE were az
once Convinced that IN the mind o.
the imstrious President the sugges-
tion made TO the belligerents was IN
accord With the traditional friendship
between our two nations.
BAT being conscious that we are
fighting for mankind. we find ourselves
without the right 20 lay down our
ycapons before we can sign peace
really humane: that is 10 say. founded
mon principles which would make II
workable and lastinI. which would be
consistent with the rights or nsuons
and which would spare the world from
tho repetition Of such terrible catas-
tropho as this war.
"Unhsppily it IS certain that Ger
many. who prctcnds nOw 20 conslde'
herself victorious, although she can
hardly entertain any doubt as 20 the
end. is not ripe as set for such neces-
sary peace
you feel that the President was jus
tilted IN putting TO the bel,igerent DOW
crs tho Questions which he asked ~
the correspondent inquired.
Welcomes Peace League
81. will rot be from our side" said
President Poincare, that will come
am repulse OF the generous IDEAS Of
President Wilson regarding the inter
national agreements 10 be concluded as
soon as the peace is signed to assure
respect for the pledges given. On the
contrary. we very willingly shall asso-
ciato ourselves with his noble lnten-
lions. But that such Understandings
later may produce their full. benehcent
effect. we must begin By restoring the
right violated and By protecting Eu-
rope against peace which would con-
tain the germ Of further outrages."
The corresp ondent asked President
Poincare whether France felt the re
turn Of nor lost provinces. Alsacc and
Lorraine. as well az the restoration o.
Belgium. essential 10 the conclusion o.
a satisfactory peace.
"In our reply said President PoiG-
care, Eve also have spoken OF the res;i-
tuition of provinces torn away in the
past by main strength o. separated
from us against the will o. their in
habltants Note this. that during for
'F-foul Gears rance mas rlFdNEl'Q the
main which her Old wounds have caused
Ser. In 1871 Germany took from her
Asacc and Lorraine. against the unaui-
nous wish o. the inhabitants.
Demands Nindication Now
Whatever may have been the burn
ing regret which she felt for this.
France never would have been willing 90
make q war OF revenge We know 100
we'll. alas. what a war mus. cost hu-
uanity. Instead. we waited. taking
care TO avoid all occasions for conflict.
France proved herself patient and
resigned She endured proyocations
such a that OF AGadir and many 9TH
crs. But to-day. when war has been
declared upon her without Just mo-
tives; to-day. when her blood has been
poyed out through the fault Of 9th
crs, how could she fail 70 claim yindi-
cation founded unon right and justice f.
President Wilson and the people OF the
United States certainly will understand
the high moral import Of the answer
OF the Allies"