Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-12-05
Will THE PEOPLE.
OF GERMANY AND
AUSTRIA LISTEN 7.
Presidents Message Direct
ed to Them Pointedly-If
There Is No Response,
War Goes on Bitterly.
BY FRED 8. FERGUSON.

war 6OeS Oh olIIeIly.
BY FRED 8. FERGUSON.
Washington, Dec. s. Americas
cards are on the table.
II Germany is to escape being crush
ed. she must as freely and frankly
state exactly what she is fighting for
as President Wilson outlined the war
aims Of the United States.
The way is open for the German rul-
ing powers to respond-explain to the
German people and the world exactly
what they are fighting for or admit
Americas Indictment and fight it out.
The table is likewise waiting for
Great Britain. France and the other
entente powers to put their cards up
Americas.
This, 1t may be stated, Is the official
view Of the presidents epochal address
before congress.
DIRECTED TO GERMAN PEOPLE
1t is the most powerful blow Of the
political offensive against Germany
that has yet been struck. 1t was ad-
dressed to the German people as much
as the other people of the world.
The war will be considered won
when a peace based on iustice-to enc
my and friend alike-can be made and
guaranteed by spokesman of the Ger
man people whose word we can be-
| lieve."
There Is no mistaking the meaning
Of President Wilson's outline Of Amer
lean war aims.
NO SELFISH AIMS.
| American blood is not to be shed
and American money is not to be spent
toward realization of any selfish aims.
The president did not mention the
restoration Of Alsace- Lorraine. This
question. according to the official view
today. may take care Of itself when
Germany is brought to the final reck-
oning, but the restoration Of territory
lost 40 years ago is not In the cate
cory Of American aims.
The president said nothing Of col
onies. These subjects are not consid-
cred among essentials of the war.
The president asked for declaration
Of war on Austria. This will be con-
sidered by congress Immediately and
voted. But as he asked that Austria
be listed among Americas enemies,
he voiced the cause Of the dual mon
archy by declaring that under peace
terms to which this country can sub
scribe, Austria Hungary must have
free access to the sea and must be
free Of Prussian domination.
DOES NOT FAVOR RUSSIA.
If italy still maintains ambitions OF
obtaining Istria and Dalmatia in re-
turn for her efforts In the war, she
will not find support from this gov
eminent This would cut Austria of
from the Adriatic.
Authorities pointed out today the
particularly strong bid for the Aus
trian people to assert themselves ant
throw off the curse of Hohenzollern.
ism. along with the Germans, while a
the same time the president sought t,
swerve Russia to unreserved supper
Of the allied cause.
And as If speaking to Americas al
lies In the war, the president STATED
the only antidote to the poison o
falsehood that is keeping the Rus
SLAMS and Germans in the dark is tn
truth.
TT cannot be uttered too plainly O
: too often" he pointedly asserted.
. THEN A LONG WAR.
II the German people are unable t,
respond to the political offensive di
rooted against their rulers, and tn
,, German government does not counte
' the American statement of war aim
with a declaration recanting arrogan
ambitions Of the past-THEN AMER
> ICAN OFFICIALS TODAY SEE ONLY
PROLONGED. BITTER WAR AHEAD
Officials SEQ in q Germany s.
crushed by arms that she must, o
military necessity, restore Belgium an,
northern France. release Austria, Tur
key and the Balkans from her grasp
q nation beaten to her knees.
FOR AMERICA AND THE ALLIE!
THIS MEANS BLOODY SACRI
FICES. 1t means the welding 0
every resource to its utmost capacit,
The huge appropriations this congress
: has been asked to approve are an in
: dication Of the cost in money.
> Officials agreed today that Americ
and the allies will have all they can d
to crush Germany's ambitions Of worl
military domination and put her bac
u where she was before she ran rampan
and started the war.
1t was explicitly pointed out toda
: that President Wilson voiced only tn
American viewpoint It is hoped tina
the allies will fully subscribe to thi
, declaration Of principles.
: DEMAND FOR STATEMENT.
!. There has been a constantly CROWN
8 demand for a clear cut statement q
: war aims. This government had hope
that such a declaration might grow on
Of the sessions Of the inter -allied coun
Gil and supreme war council meetin
!. in France.
i Colonel House and members of tn
+ American mission gave the unoffici,
n Russian representative their supper
: in urging that a joint statement
j. aims be made as an aid to Russia. Thi
statement was not Forthcoming. but ,
the presidents speech of yesterda