Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-08-29

be attempted by all the malign infiu-
ences to which the German govern.
ment has of late accustomed tho
world. Can peace be based upon q
restitution of it's power or upon any
word OF honor IL could pledge in a
treaty OF settlement and accommoda-
ton.
DESIRE NO REPRISAL
UPON GENERAL PEOPLE
Irresponsible statesmen must now
everywhere see. II they never saw be-
fore. that no peace can rest securely
upon political or economic restrictions
meant 10 benefit some nations and Grip
pie or embarrasS others. upon vindica-
tive action OF any sort or any kind Of
revenge or deliberate injury. The
American people have suffered intoler-
able wrongs at the hands Of the i'm
perial German government. but they
desire no reprisal upon the German
people. who have themselves suffered
all things in this war, which they did
not choose. They believe that peace
should rest upon the rights Of peo-
pies. not the righS OF Governments
the rights of peoples great or small.
weak or powerful-their equal right
10 freedom and security and self-Eov-
ernmenI and to participation upon
fair terms in the economic opportuni-
ties OF the world-the German people,
OF course, included. IL they Will accept
equality and not seek domination
The test, therefore, OF every plan
OF peace is this: is il based upon the
faith OF all the peoples involved or
merely upon the word of an ambitious
and intriguing government. on the one
hand. and OF group OF free peoples
on the other? This Is test which
secs 10 the root OF the matter-and /,
Is the test which must be applied
The purposes OF the United states
IN this war are known 10 the whole
"o!io-to every people to whom the
truth has been permitted TO come.
they do not need TO be stated again.
We seek no material advantage OF any
Kind. We believe that tho intolerable
wrongs done IN this war by the furious
and brutal power OF the imperial Ger
man government ought 20 be repaired
out not at the expense O. the SOW
eTeiEnty OF any people-rather vindi-
caiiol OF the sovereignty both OF those
That are weak and OF those that are
strong Punitive damages the dis
memeerment OF empires. the establish
nent OF selfish and exclusive economic
leagues, we deem iaexped.eat and in
the end worse than futile. no proper
pass FOR a peace ot any kind; least
OF al! for an enduring peace That
must be based upon justice and :a:r-
ness and the common rights of man
kind.
CANNOT TAKE WORD
OF PRESENT RULERS
We cannot take the word OF the
present rulers OF Germany as guar
aniee Of anything that is 10 endure,
unless explicitly supported by such
conclusive evidence o. the Will and
purpose OF the German people them
selves as the other peoples Of the
world would be justified in acceot:uE.
Without such guarantees. treaties Of
settlement, agreements or disarna-
Neat covenants 10 set Up arbitration
IN the place Q. force, ;e--!:or!a. adjust
FtAts, 7ecoHst:tut!oas ot small nations.
If made with the German goyerrn.,,
no man. no nation could now depend
On We r.us, await some new evil
csnce OF ne purposes ot the Erea, PEG
pies OF ine centga! powers God gran,
X may be given soon and N a war 70
restore The confidence OF all peoples
everywhere il he faith Of nations
and The possibility Of coveaan,.d
peace.
Signed ROBERT LANSING.
secre,ar? Of state Of the United
states Q: America"