The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-01-26

to secure lasting peace at an early
date, the paper declares, adding:
I'VE want autonomy of nations, but
we do not want that interpreted in a
fashion which changes the practical
character of the principle into its very
opposite by jeopardizing the right of
the German nation to the free
determination of its own fate. We do
not want that self government of ma
tions shall be applied to only one side
and that the other side, shall be used
for destructive purposes, or that it
shall only be applied as pretext in
order to humiliate one of the belliger-
ent groups" e.
Amsterdam, via London, Jan. "a
The Cologne Volks Zeitung, a copy of
which has been received here, says it
considers that the time has not yet
arrived for q useful discussion of
President Wilson's program. which is
too evidently a product of official
study to furnish a suitable basis for
the new world.
However far we may be from re-
iecting the root and branch of all he
outlined" the newspaper adds, 1T is
nevertheless certain there W is still,
much to be said on the subject OF the
presidents conditions for American
collaboration"
Concerning the presidents refer
ence to peace without victory, The
VoIks Zeitung argues that although
the Central Powers are entitled to, re-
gard themselves as victors yet they
were prepared for peace by agree
ment, but that the Entente rejected
their offer. Therefore it says I'VE now
fatty resfuse President Wilson's So.
luton for peace without victory"
Moreover" the newspaper contin-
ues, I'VE must reject as entirely irrele-
want and even as intolerable the
presidents demand for united in.
dependent Poland. Clearly he has.
in mind the separation of the region
formerly belonging to the kingdom
of Poland and now belonging to the
German empire. In this matter we
can only say, hands off. If the pres
ident values our friendship he should
never mention this subject again"
The volks Zeitung agrees in Presi-
dent Wilson's demand for the freedom
OF the seas. In conclusion 1t puts
forward the opinion that the president
by his action has not served the
cause of peace.
Petrograd, via London, Jan. 25.--
Having given more careful considers
ton to President wilson's address, the
editorial writers are almost unani-
mously of opinion that the presidents
address, although admirable express
ing ideals and aims with which Rus
STA is in full sympathy, can have no
practical effect nor bring nearer peace:
Russia, according, to the trend OF
opinion, cannot make peace with Ger
many as an equal, it being argued that
the very acceptance by Germany of the
principles announced in the presidents
declaration would mean humiliation
and defeat for her. Moreover, the news
papers say, no guarantee for future
peace would be secured unless German
militarism, is crushed.
"All the neutral governments togeth-
err" says The Bourse Gazette, cannot
give any guarantees that the German
coalition will submit to the general
will of, mankind until the German
mailed fist is crushed.
Despite all President wilson's eff
forts, he cannot produce any guaran-
tees which will prevent a repetition of
the present disaster. Therefore, de-
spite the central idea of the presidents
address, which is peace not based on
victory by one of the lighting sides, 1t
is indispensable that the allies shall be
It is impossible to create
peace with Germany as an equal.
SIS 1t not clear that to have united
Poland the German coalition must be
According to the rights
of an equal. Germany could not accept
such a principle because Austria-Hun-
gary, Germany and Turkey would have