The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1917-01-19

| the American note between the tw,
groups of belligerents; this analogy
based upon public declarations by TIL,
Central Powers, is in direct opposition
to the evidence, both as regards re
sponsibility for the past and as con
Germs guarantees for the future. Presi
dent Wilson, in mentioning it, certain
ly had no intention of adopting it as
his own.
Central Powers WiIIful.
"If there is an historical fact estab
lished at the present date, it is the
willful aggression of Germany and
Austria-Hungary to insure their hege
mony over Europe and the economic
domination over the world. BY her
declaration of war, by the instant In
vasion of Belgium and Luxembourg, and
by her methods of warfare, Germany
scorns every principle of humanity
and all respect due to small states.
More and more, as the struggle has
progressed, has the attitude of the
Central Powers and their allies been
constant challenge to humanity and
civilization.
Humanity Defied.
"As the conflict developed, the at
titude of the Central Powers and their
allies mas been a continual defiance of
humanity and civilization. 1t is nee
essary to recall the horrors which
accompanied the invasion of Belgium
and of Serbia, the atrocious regime
imposed upon the invaded countries,
the massacre of hundreds of thousands
of inoffensive Armenians, the barbara
ties perpetrated against the popula-
lions of Syria, the raids by Zeppelin
on open towns, the destruction by
submarines of passenger steamers and
of merchantmen even under neutral
flags, the cruel treatment inflicted
upon prisoners of war. the juridical
murders of Miss Cavel, of Captain
Fryatt, the deportation and the reduc-
ton to slavery of civil populations, ct
cetera, of such a series of crimes per-
without any regard for uni
versal reprobation, fully explains to
President Wilson the protest of tie
Allies.
Had Replied Fully.
"They consider that the note which |
hey sent to the United States in re-
3ly to the German note will be a re-
,ponse to the question, put by the |
American government, and according |
o the exact words of the latter, con-
titute, "A public declaration as to the
conditions upon which the war could
10 terminated
President Wilson desires more: He
Iesires that the belligerent powers
penly affirm the objects which they
eek by continuing the war; the Al
les experience no difficulty in reply
ng to this request.
Objects of War Known.
Their objects in the war are well
.nown; they have been formulated on
many occasions by the chief of their
iverse governments. Their objects
u LIE WILL Will lOL OS IlduO haO LII III J
etail with all the equitable compen-
atoms and indemnities for damage
Uttered until the hour of negotiations
tut the civilized world knows that
hey imply in all necessity and in the
rst instance the restoration of Bel
ium, of Serbia and of Montenegro and
f the indemnities which are due
hem; the evacuation of the invaded
srritories of France, of Russia and OF
oumania with just reparation. The
organization of Europe, guaranteed
Y a stable settlement based alike
pom the principle of nationalities, on
lie right which all peoples, whether ;
nall or great, have to the enjoyment
full security and free economic de- I
elopment and also upon territorial !
yreements and international arrange |
ents SO framed as to guarantee land /;
Id sea frontiers against unjust at '
cks; the restitution of provinces Or {
% Allies by force or against the will
their populations; the liberation of s
alians, of Slavs, of Roumanians and
Teheco Slovaques from foreign do
inion; the enfranchisement of popu-
tions subject to the bloody tyranny t
the Turks; the expulsion from Ell 6
pc of the Ottoman empire, which ,
IS proved itself so radically alien to (
sstern civilization. X
Intentions Indicated.
"The intentions of His Majesty, the
nperor of Russia, regarding Poland
We been clearly indicated to the :
exclamation which he has just ad- :
essed to his armies. 1t goes without
ying, that the Allies wish to 1iber-
2 Europe from the brutal covetous-
ss of Prussian militarism. 1t never
s been their design, as has been al
yed, to encompass the determination !.
the German peoples and their polit- !
Il disappearance. That which they
sire above all is to insure peace
on the principles of liberty and JUS :
e. upon the inviolable fidelity of in !,
national obligation with which the !
of the United States has }.
yer ceased to be inspired.