The Detroit times., 1917-01-18
BaFour Says Force Must =
Back Permanent World Peace

was proclaimed as the true end OF
the state; and the general stan
forged with untiring Industry the
wea pona by which at the appointed
moment power might be achieved.
Treaties Useless.
These facts proved clearly enough
that treaty arrangements for main
tanning peace were not likely 20 md
much favor at Berlin. they did not
prove that such treaties once made
would be utterly Intellectual This
became evident only when war had
broken out; tho the demonstration
when u came. was overwhelming
80 long a. Germany remains the
Germany which. without a shadow or
Justification. overran and barbsrous-
~ til-treated country u was
pledged 20 defend. no state can re-
gard It's rights as secure n they
have no better protection than a sol
cmn treaty.
The case is made worse by the
reflection that these methods OF cal
culated brutality were designed bN
the Central Powers not merely 70
crush 90 the duet those with whom
they We're at war. but to intimidate
those with whom they were stu AT
peace.
Belgium was not only victim u
was an example. Neutrals were IN
tended 20 note the outrsges when
accompanied its conquest. the reign
Of terror which followed on Its occu-
patton. the deportation OF portion
OF its population, the cruel oppres-
sion Of the remainder.
And. lest the nations happily pro-
tected either by British fleets or by
their own from German armies
should suppose themselves safe from
German methods. the submarine mas
fwithin tie limip assiduously lni-
80 ka
sister service The war STAINS OF
the Central Powers are well content
TO horrify the world " AT the same
time they can terrorize ~.
II. then. the Central Powers sue
coed. in will he 20 methods like these
that they VIII owe their success
How can any reform OF international
relations be based on peace thus
Such peace would represent the
triumph of all the forces which make
war certain and make u brutal ~
would adv ertise the futility 81 all the
methods on which civilization relies
TO eliminate the occasions ~ interna-
tional dispute aud TO mitigate their
ferocity.
Germany and Austria made the
present war Inevitable by attacking
tho rights ~ one small state. They
gained their initial triumphs by vio-
lating tho treaty guarantees OF the
territories OF another.
Terrorism Is Issue
Are small states going 90 And IN
them their future protectors or IN
treaties made by them a hulwark
against aggression Terrorism by
land and sea viii have proved itself
the Instrument OF victory. Are the
victors likely to abandon IL on the
appeal az neutrals? II existing treat
les are no more than scraps OF paper.
can fresh treaties help usF
II the violation OF the most funda-
mental canons Of international law
be crowned with success viii II not
be IN vain that the assembled nations
labor 10 improve their codc2 None
viii profit by their rules but powers
keep them that will suffer.
Tho. therefore, he people or this
country 2hsre 20 the full the desire
OF tho president FOR peace, they do
not believe peace can be durable ~ Il
be not based on tho success OF the
Allied cause.
A durable peace can hardly he ex-
Tccted unless three conditions are
The hrst is that existing clauses
~ International unrest should be as
far as possible removed or weakened.
The second is that the aggressive
~ the Central Powers should fall
into disrcpute among their own
peoples.
The third IL that behind interna
fl0nal law ana pfnlnU all treaty
engagements for preventing or limit
ing hostilities. some form OF inter
national sanction should be devised
which would give pause 20 the hard =
lest sEEresSor.
These conditions may be difficult
of fulnilment. but We believe them
10 be in general harmony With the
presidents ideas and 'vc are confident
that none Of them can he satisfied.
even imperfecfly, unless peace he So
cured on the general lines indicated
$50 far as Europe is concerned). IN
tho joint note.
Ready to Sacrifice
Therefore. IL is that this country
has made. is making and is prepared
70 make sacrifices ~ blood and
treasure unparalleled in its history.
II bears those heavy burdens not
merely thar II may thus fulfil It's
treaty Obligations. nor Yet that Il
may secure a barren triumph 81 one
group 81 nations over another
IT bears them because u firmly
believes that on the success OF the
Allies depsnd tho prospects Of peace
ful civilization and OF those Internal
tionai reforms which the best think
ers Of the new world a. ~ the old
dare 20 hope may follow on the cos-
sation Of our present calamities.
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