The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1917-01-26
PRESIDENT POINTS PATH
TO SERVICE FOR AMERICA
Continued from page one)
On Behalf of Humanity.

an identic note to the governments |
of the nations at war requesting them
TO state, more definitely than they
had been stated by either group Of
BeUigerents, the terms upon which
they would deem it possible to make
peace. | spoke on behalf of human |
ity and of the rights of all neutral
nations like our own, many of whose
most vital interests the war puts in
constant jeopardy. The central pow
ers united in reply which stated
merely that they were ready to meet
their antagonists in conference to dis
cuss terms of peace. The entente
powers have replied much more def
nitely and have stated, in general
terms, indeed, but with sufficient def
niteness to imply details, the arrange
ments, guarantees and acts of repara-
tion which they deem to be the indis-
pensable conditions of satisfactory
settlement. We are that much nearer
u definite discussion of peace which
shall end the present war. We are
that much nearer the discussion of the
international concert which must
thereafter hold the world at peace
In every discussion of the peace that
must end this war it is taken for
granted that that peace must be fol-
lowed by some definite concert of pow
er which will make it virtually impos-
sible that any such catastrophe
should overwhelm US again. Every
lover of mankind, every sane and
thoughtful man must take that for
granted.
II have sought this opportunity to
address you because | thought | owed
it to you. as the counsel associated
with me in the final determination
Of our international obligations, to
disclose to you without reserve the
thought and purpose that have been
taking form in my mind in regard
to the duty of our government in
those days to come when it will be
necessary to lay afreSh and upon a
new plan the foundations of peace
among the nations.
Must Play It's Part
1T is inconceivable that the Teo-
pie of the United States should play
no part in that great enterprise. To
take part in such a service will be the
opportunity for which they have
sought to prepare themselves by the
very principles and purposes of their
polity and the approved practices of
their government ever since the days
when they set up new nation in
the high and honorable hope that it
might in all that it was and did show
mankind the way to liberty. They
can not in honor withhold the SER
vice to which they are now about to
be challenged. They do not wish to
withhold it. But they owe it to them
selves and to the other nations of
the world to state the conditions un-
der which they feel free to render it,
"That service is nothing less than
this: To add their authority and
their power to the authority and force
of other nations to guarantee peace
and justice throughout the world
Such settlement can not now be long
postponed. 1t is right that before it
comes this government should frankly
formulate the conditions upon which
1T would feel justified in asking our
people to approve its formal and SOL
emn adherence to leagure for peace
| am here to attempt to state those
conditions
The present war must first be end
ed; but we owe il to candor and to
Just regard for the opinion of man
kind to say that so far as our partici-
patton In guarantees of future peace
is concerned, it makes a great deal of
difference in what may and upon what
terms it is ended. The treaties and
agreements which bring it to an end
must embody terms which will create
peace that is worth guaranteeing
ana preserving, peace that will win
the approval of mankind, not merely
peace that will serve the several in !
tereSts and Immediate aims of the
nations engaged. We shall have no
voice in determining what those
terms shall be, but we shuli, ! feel
sure, have a voice in determining :
whether they shall be made lasting
or not by the guarantees of uni |
Versal covenant; and our judgment
Ur0n what is fundamental and essen |
tial as condition. precedent to per-
manency should be spoken now. not
afterwards, when it may be too late.
New World Needed.
NO covenant of cooperative peace
that does not include the peoples Of
the new world can suffice to keep
the future safe against war; and vet
there is only one sort of peace that
the peoples of America could join in
guaranteeing. The elements of that
peace must be elements that engage
the confidence and satisfy the prin-
cipleS of the American governments,
elements consistent with their polit-
lcal faith and the practical convic-
tons which the peoples of America