The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-06-11

President Wilson again rose to his
opportunity in giving to Russia ade-
quate expression of American views
regarding the objects Of the war and
the conditions of peace that will be
accepted.
The statement will not be accep-
table to the Prussian junker, but
should on that very account COM
mend itself to the German people as
well as to the Russian nation to
which it was primarily addressed. It
recites clearly the fact that the war
is going against Germany and that
the ruling classes there are deceiv-
ing their own people and attempting
to promote a false propaganda on
both sides of the sea. He properly
stigmatizes the same ruling classes
for their belated manifestations of
liberality toward the Socialist group
"to whom they have never. been just
or fair or even tolerant" That
should at least open the eyes of
American Socialists who have been
so willing to pull the Kaiser's hot
chestnuts out of the fire. peace
without indemnities or annexations"
is no doubt the phrase the President
had in mind as having a pleasing
and sonorous sound" He proceeds
to analyze the principles on which
alone the making Of peace would
have justification.
In unhesitating terms he declines
TO consider the offer ostensibly put
forth from Germany for the restora-
ton of the status quo ante. The
President declares that it was this
very status before the war which
gave rise to the war itself. THAT
status must be altered in such fash
ion as to prevent any such hideous
thing from happening again. .
Wrongs must first be righted, and
then adequate safeguards must be
created to prevent their being COM
mitted again."
With regard to the phrase that has
become so popular in Russia, "No in
IDENTITIES or lamentations" the Presi-
dent makes some obvious discrimina-
tons. mo territory must change
hands, except for the purpose of Sc
curing those who inhabit it a fair
chance Of life and liberty" That
spells Armenia, and perhaps Pales-
tine and other countries suffering
from the oppression of the Turk.
'fNo indemnities must be insisted on
except those that constitute payment
for manifest wrongs done" That
means Belgium, of course. The ques-
ton of indemnity for pillage and ra-
pine and desolation wrought on
French soil, of which it is said accur-
ate accounts have been kept in every
French village, is an open one under
this definition, yet notice is served on
Germany that wanton acts of de-
struction in the future will be
charged to Germany's lonT account
Finally the President speaks for an
organized brotherhood of mankind"
no longer a phrase, but a reality.
The German people themselves are
assured that if thew are carrying on
the struggle with the hope of future
security. that is also the object of the
most formidable of her enemies. The
German people may live under what
ever sovereignty they may choose, as
shall all other peoples, but the peace
Of the world must no longer be en-
dangered by an irresponsible autoc.
racy in alliance with other nations
for selfish aggression.
The message to Russia is also
message to those Americans of
pacifist persuasion who have recently
been harping upon the duty of stat
ing the terms of peace that we ought
TO accept. They now have the state
ment, in clear and excellent English,
and it will prove difficult for them
to quarrel with it. 1t expresses also
the aims of our allies or it would not
have been made at this time. The
President and the people are again
in accord. They feel that he ade-
quately represents their interests and
their ethics as well. and that this is
no time for meddling hands to play