Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-01-23


secure tho freedom OF the seas " the
governments of the world sincerely
desire to come to an agreement con
corning il.
1T is a problem closely connected
with the limit ation of naval ornaments
and the cooperation OF the nayics Of
the world in keeping the seas nj one
free and safe. And The question Of Inn
iting the naval ornaments IL open and
perhaps a more difficult question than
that Of the limitation of armies and all
programs of military preparation. Dir
ficult and delicate MS these question:
arc, they must be faced with the ut,
most candor and decided in a spirit OF
real accommodation IL peace is 20 come
with healing in its wings and come TO
stay. Peace cannot be had without con
cession and sacrifice. There can be no
sense of safety and equality among the
nations if great preponderating armies
arc henceforth to continue here and
there to be built up and maintained,
The statesmen of the world must plan
for peace and nations must adjust and
accommodate their policy TO Il AZ they
have planned for war and made ready
for pitiless contest and rivalry. The
question Of ornaments. whether on land
or seas, Is the most Immediately and
intensely practical question connected
with the future fortunes Of nations and
of mankind
Il have spoken upon these great mat
ters without reserve and with the Ut
most explicitness because II has seem
ed to me to be necessary IL the worlds
1~t~ e.
to find free voice and utterance Per
haps I am the only person In high su-
thority amongst all the peoples of the
world who is at liberty to speak and
hold nothing back. I am speaking as
an individual and yet am speaking
also. of course as the responsible head
of a great government and l feel con
fident that I have said what the people
of the United States would wish ms
to say. May / not add that hope and
believe that am in effect speaking for
liberals and friends of humanity In ey-
cry nation and of every program OF lib
crty? I would fain that I am speaking
for the silent mass of mankind every:
where who have as yet had no place
or opportunity TO speak their real hearts
out concerning the death and ruin they
see to have come already upon the per
sons and homes they hold most dear.
And in holding out the expectation
that the people and government OF tho
United States will join the other civilized
nations of the world IN guaranteeing the
permanence of peace upon such terms az
I have named, ] speak with the greater
holiness and confidence because II H.
clear to every man who can think tina,
there is in this promise no breach IN
either our traditions or our policy as a
nation. but a fultillment rather. OF all
that we have professed or striven for.
II am proposing. as il were. that the
the doctrine of President Monroe as the
doctrine of the world. that no nation
should seek to extend it's policy over any
other nation or people, but that every
people should be left free TO determine Il
own policy. its own way of development,
unhindered. unthreatened, unafraid. the
little along with the great and powerful
II am proposing that all nations hence
forth avoid entansling alliances whicN
would draw them into competitions OF
power, catch them in n net and intrigue
and selfish rivalry and disturb their owi,
affairs with influences intrudtd from
without There is no entanSling ait
ance in a concert of power when all
unite to act In the same sense and with
the same purpose all act in the cOmmo'
interest and are free to live their own
lives under a common protection
II am proposing government b' tho
consent of the governed: that freedom ~
the seas which in international confer
ence after conference representatives 90.
the United States have urged with III
eloquence of those who are the couvinc
cd disciples Of liberty, and that moder
alton of ornaments which makes of
armies and naVes mower for order
merely. not an instrument Of aggression
or of selfish violence.
"These are American principles tIncr'
can policies. We can stand for no otl
ers And they are also the prnciple'
and policies Of forward looking men AMI
women every where. or every modern ma
ton. OF every enlightened communi'y
They are the principles OF mankind sna
must prevail"