The Tomahawk., 1917-01-18

based upon public declarations by the
Central Powers, 10 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 III
vasion of Belgium and Luxembourg, and
by her methods of warfare, Germany
has proved that she Systematically
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
a 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. It 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 por<ala-
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 series Of crimes per-
petrated without any regard for uni
versal reprobation, fully explains to
President Wilson the protest of the
Allies.
Had Replied Fully.
"They consider that the note which
they sent to the United States In re-
ply to the German note will be a re-
spouse to the question, put by the
American government, and, according
to the exact words of the latter, con-
stitute, "A public declaration as to the
conditions upon which the war could
be terminated
"President Wilson desires more: He
desires that the belligerent powers
openly affirm the objects which they
seek by continuing the war; the Al
lies experience no difficulty in reply
ing to this request.
Objects of War Known.
"Their objects in the war are we'll
known; they have been formulated on
many occasions by the chief of their
diverse governments. Their objects
in the war will not be made known II,
detail with all the equitable compen-
sations and indemnities for damage
suffered until the hour of negotiations.
But the civilized world knows that
they imply in all necessity and in the
first instance the restoration or Be-
GUM, Of Serbia and of Montenegro ant
of the indemnities which are due
them; the evacuation of the invaded
territories of France. of Russia and OF
Roumania with just reparation. The
reorganization of Europe, guaranteed
by stable settlement based alike
upon the principle Of nationalities, on
the right which all peoples, whether
small or great, have to the enjoyment
of full security and free economic de-
velopment and also upon territorial
agreements and international arrange
ments so framed as to guarantee land
and sea frontiers against unjust at
tacks; the restitution of provinces OF
territories wrested in the past FROM
the Allies by force or against the Will
of their populations; the liberation Of
Italians, Of Slavs, of Roumanians and
of Teheco Slovaques from foreign do
minion; the enfranchisement of popu-
lations subject to the bloody tyranny
Of the Turks; the expulsion from Eli
rope of the Ottoman empire, which
has proved itself so radically alien to
western civilization.
Intentions Indicated.
"The intentions of His Majesty, the
Emperor of Russia, regarding Poland
have been clearly indicated to the
proclamation which he has just ad-
dressed to his armies. 1t goes without
saying, that the Allies wish to liber-
ate Europe from the brutal covetous-
ness of Prussian militarism. It never
has been their design, as has been al
legged. to encompass the determination
Of the German peoples and their polit.
ical disappearance. That which they
desire above all is to insure a peace
upon the principles Of liberty and JUS
tice. upon the inviolable fidelity of in.
ternational obligation with which the
government Of the United States has
never ceased to be inspired.
Allies Are United.