The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1917-01-19
THE ALLIES ANSWER

dIlSIupl LudL Has yet D0Su ulduS. ny
any responsible authority to consoli-
date the aims and objects of the war
and define the terms upon which
| peace would be considered.
1t is the first clear anu comprehen-
sive statement put forth by either
side, and in itself is a complete justi-
fication of President Wilson's action.
The allies have taken the fullest
advantage of the opportunity offered
by the president to present their case
before the court of mankind. That
Germany refused to take equal adj
vantage of this opportunity is no fault
of the president but the Berlin states
marship which insisted that negotia-
tiors must be conducted in the dark.
The allies terms OF peace fall under
ten separate heads:
l. The restoration of Belgium, Ser
bia and Montenegro, with indemnities.
,. The evacuation of the invaded
territory of France, Russia and Rou-
mania, with reparation.
3. X reorganization of Europe
founded upon respect for nationali-
| ties and economic DEVELOPMENT.
4. The restitution OF provinces
wrested in the past from the allies,
which means the return of Alsace-
Lorraine to France.
). The liberation of the Italians.
Slavs, Roumanians and Czech-Slays
from foreign domination.
8. The acknowledgment of popu-
lations subject to Turkish tyranny
Z. The expulsion of Turkey from
Europe.
s. The establishment of the
Kingdom of Poland.
g. The destruction of Prussian mill
taryism, but with regard for political
integrity of the German people.
TO- A permanent peace founded up
on the principles of liberty and JUS
tice" and upon 'inviolable fidelity to
international obligation" In this
connection, at the very outset of their
note, the entente powers, and Bel
GUM likewise in its separate answer,
give their unqualified Endorsement to
the presidents suggestion for league
of nations ito insure peace and justice
throughout the world"
There is no mention in the reply of
the German colonies which are now
in the hands of the allies, but it is to
be inferred that they are included in
the equitable compensations in in
IDENTITIES for damages" which are not
to be disclosed upon the hour of ne
gotiations."
The entente powers have presented
maximum terms which could be
achieved only at the point of the
sword in the event Of the complete
military collapse of Germany and
Austria Hungary. IN at least two
minor respects they are wholly i'm
moral, in that they contemplate the
seizure of territory that never be-
longed to Italy and Roumania in order
to pay the bribes that those two
eminently sordid governments eX-
acted as their price for entering the
war on the side of the allies. But in
many other respects they touch thu
highest point Of :dealism that has
been reached in the international poll
ties of Europe. and in certain instan-
ces they constitute veritable eman-
cipation proclamation.
Whatever opinion anybody may
have OF the terms in detail. there
must be general admiration among
Americans for the frankness and sin
cerity with which the entente powers,
have met President Wilson's request
for information. They have taken
the world into their confidence. They
have submitted their case to the pub
lie opinion of all the nations. and
while their terms are terms that only
a conqueror could dictate, they have
cleared the situation as it has never
been cleared before.
Can Germany now refuse to follow
the allies in explaining both the aims
and objects of the war and the terms
of peace? Unless the imperial gov
eminent is willing to go as far as its
enemies have gone. it can have no
standing before the great tribunal of
popular opinion 1t has asked for
peace as victor. but as a victor it
has declined to disclose the terms up
on which it would consider peace.
The diplomacy of the allies in the
reply to the president has shown that
decent respect to the opinions of
mankind" which was held in the dec
laration of independence to be vital.
Can Germany do less?-World