New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-01
A CANADIAN VIEW OF PEACE
President Wilson'S Speech Understandable Former Neutrality
Contrasted with Strange and Intrusive Lecture

engage the confidence and satisfy the prin-
cipes of the American governments. lie
particularizes by saying: NO peace can last.
or ought 70 last. which does not recognize
and accept the principle that governments
derive all their just power from the consen'
Of the governed" and he cites Poland as
concrete case.
Now. peace in Europe will apparently come
about in one of three ways There may De
others, but at the moment they are not IN
sight. There may be a definite victory Tor
the Allies with a peace practically dictated
by them: there may be definite victory lot
the Central Powers, who will then draw up
the main provisions Of the settlement; tnerr
may be a draw. resulting IN negotiated
peace. which will leave the great powers. a.
any rate, in much the same relative position
d. before the war
Consider in turn each Of these hypothet-
cal eudings. If the Allies prevail 1t may be
possible to force upon Germany arrange
ments which will bring her internal and do
nestle conditions within the lines OF Presi-
dent Wilson's sine qua non. though TINS
would have somewhat the appearance OF a
contradiction in terms. II may also be pos
sibe on paper. TO do the same with the
strange medley OF natIOnalltles composing
the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Even tneh
we have Turkey TO deal with. But assume
all that accomplished. What about Russia /!
Is Russia to change her form Of government
her whole national system OF existence, 70
suit the Presidents ideas? II, having MADE
a peace which suits them. the Allies nave 10
choose between Russia and the United states
as a member Of the expected concert 10 guar
antee peace, is there any question rs 70
which they will choose?
So, too. with each of the other suggested
endings Of the war If the Central Powers
prevail it will be interesting to watch the
President suggesting to the Emperors OF
Germany and Austria that unless they INTRO
duce forms of government in conformity
with American ideals he Will be unable 70
guarantee the peace which they have es'ao
Ushed. II there is a draw he will. IN addi-
ton, have 10 appeal 10 Russia. surely the
Presidents manifesto must be understood as
being his own peculiar way of saying tnaU
even as he has publicly proclaimed that WltA
the objects and origins of the war the people
of the United States have no concern, So 100
they can have no concern with us results
or with any concert TO guarantee the peace
which will follow it, And really, having re-
card TO all that has happened, would II hoV
he natural. desirable ana CeIIaIHtS nv il''oi
cal that if he says anything at all ne snould
in plain language say exactly that ana hotn-
ing more? -,
Later on the President asserts as one Of
tho conditions of just and stable peace
"And the paths Of the sea must alike III Ia"
,rd IN fact be free. The freedom Of the seas
ia the sine qua non Ct peace, equality ana
oo0nera.ion." II is clear that he means free
in times of peace" as he is speaking OF con
d;,iors under the peace which after the close
~ This war will be insured and guaranteed
nv an international concert winch must
.hore,ftor hold the world at peace" Have not
the paths of the sea for many long year
been absolutely free and open in time OF
peacc to all nations alike in law and IN TACT
What. then. is it that he has in mind:
nav f. G.. JEMMETT.
Toronto, Ont Jan. "a, 1917.