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

I'destruction of Germany and her allies
! The Lokal Anzeiger calls the presi'
/ dents statement a very remarkable
and exceptional document, which
however. is Of limited practical i'm
portance."
| According to The LokaI Anzeiger
President Wilson apparently over
looked the fact that large number
| of the ideas outlined in his address
had already been rejected by the en-
tente in fits last note in reply to the
United States. III
Thus" says the paper" the shade
of King Edward would protest against
the idea of abandoning by the English
people of the balance Of powers and
of aggressive coalitions and would
equally protest against the neutral
| iZation of the important thorough
fares OF the ocean, such as the strait
of Gibraltar, the Suez canal and the
English channel
The Lokal Anzeiger, however, ap-
preciates the Humanitarian spirit" of
the message, but asks whether 1t will
be able to influence the world at the
moment when ten States-Who
against the promise given to Mr.. Will
son plan our acknowledgements a
terrible common attack that is in
tended to accomplish this annihlia-
ton.
AT the present moment" it con-
tinues, the only language which
seems appropriate is that of cannon,
since it is our enemies who want to
understand no other language"
The Vossische Zeitung points out
that President Wilson's ideas no
doubt will find an echo in the country
where the philosopher Kant wrote his
famous book on perpetual peace." It
says that his ideas on freedom in
Al. - \ Ia "a
powers and the rejection of aggreS-
sive coalitions and are Identical with
the principles underlying the German
foreign policy for a long time.
The paper, however, contends that
President Wilson's statement does not
appreciate the sincere endeavors of
the Central Powers to terminate the
war and makes no mention of the dis
senting answer given, by the Entente
to Germany's peace offer, and asks
whether the principles of autonomy.
self government and free access
to the seas are to be applied also re-
spectively to Firms, Indians, Lithu-
anians, Courlanders, and to the Strait
of Gibraltar, Singapore, and the Suez
canal.
The catholic Germania agrees with
majority of the principles set forth
in the presidents address, adding:
His idea about character the COM
ing peace ought to have is practically
identical with the principles laid down
in the peace offer of the Central
Powers. AS to the equality of ma
tions and the freedom of the seas,
those have always been the aims OF
Germany policy"
Germania asks whether certain ideas
enunciated in the presidents speech
imply a. change of the German poll
teal system, but says that this is inn
probable, as the message itself sets
forth the right of self-goyernment of
all nations and that no nations shall
be allowed to impose upon others it's
form of government. The paper doubts
whether under present circumstances
the presidents utterances will be able
to change the hard facts, and con-
cludes:
''Our reason tells us that our next
task is to gain a peace which guaran-
tees our existence, our honor, our
liberty of evolution. as stated in our
note to our enemies on Dec. IL. But
these very rights are jeopardized by
the entente.
THE Tageblatt fully endorses the
general principles of the message and
considers that they ought to be an
Constantinople.'
It declares that the problem of
Gibraltar. the Suez canal and other
strategical positions ought to be taken
into consideration.
The Socialist Vorwaerts says: "The
president of the United States in a
message to the senate has laid down
principles for future European peace,
which are as much acceptable as q
basis of discussion for the govern
ments OF the central powers as the
war aims laid down in the ententes
report were impossible Of debate for
them"
The VorWaerts declares that the
presidents message is partial neither
to the central powers nor the entente
but Is neutral and inspired by the
wish to serve the cause itself
The central powers are Of the same
mind as President Wilson in the wish