The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-01-12
The ENTENTE REPLY
Continued from page y

vent an apparent security from only
facilitating new aggressions.
But discussion of future arrange.
ments destined to insure an enduring
peace presuppose satisfactory settle.
ment of the actual conflict. The Allies
have as profound desire as the Gov.
eminent of the United States to termi.
nate as soon us possible a war for
which the Central Empires are respon-
stble, and which inflicts such cruel suf.
ferings upon humanity. But they be-
lieve 1t is impossible at the present
moment to attain peace which will
assure them PREPARATION, restitution and
such guarantees to which they are en-
titled by the aggression for which the
responsibility rests with the Central
powers, and OF which the principle it.
self tended to ruin the security of Eu.
rope, a peace which would. on the 9TH
er hand, permit the establishment of
the future Of European nations on a
solid basis. The Allied nations are
conscious that they are not fighting
for selfish interests, but above all to
safeguard the independence OF peoples,
of right and of humanity.
1.-THE Allies are fully aware of the
losses and suffering which the war
causes to neutrals as we'll as to bel.
ligerents, AMI they deplore them, but
they do not hold themselves RESPONSE
BILE for them, having in no way either
wi1led or provoked this war, and they
strive to reduce these damages in the
measure compatible with the inexor-
able exigencies of their defense
against the violence and the wiles
of the enemy.
at is with satisfaction therefore
that they take note OF the declaration
! that the American communication is
In no wise associated in its origin
with that of the Central powers trans
mitted on December IS by the Govern
ment of the United States. They did
not doubt, moreover, the resolution
OF that Government to avoid even the
appearance OF support, even moral,
of the authors responsible for the war.
1.-The Allied governments believe
that they must protest in the most
friendly but in the most specific man
ner against the assimilation establish.
ed in the American note between the
two groups of belligerents. This as
sanitation, based upon public declara-
ton by the Central powers. is in di'
rect opposition to the evidence, both
as regards responsibility for the past
and as concerns guarantees for the fu-
ture. President Wilson, in mention.
ing it, certainly had no intention of
associating himself with 1t.
"If there is an historical fact es'
tablished at the present date, 1t is
the willful aggression Of Germany and
Austria Hungary to insure their hegi-
mony over Europe and their economic
domination over the world. Germany
proved by her declaration of war, by
the immediate violation of Belgium
and Luxembourg and by her manner of
conducting the war; her Stimulating
contempt for all principles Of human
ity and all respect for small states. AS
the conflict developed the attitude OF
the Central powers and their allies
has been a continual defiance Of hu-
manity and civilization.
at is necessary to recall the horrors
which accompanied the invasion of
Belgium and of Serbia, the astrocious
regime imposed upon the invaded Coun-
tries, the massacre of hundred of thou
sands Of inoffensive Armenians, the
barbarities perpetrated against the
populations of Syria, the raids of Yep
pelins on open towns, the destruction
by submarines of passenger steamers
and of merchantmen even under neil
trail flags, the cruel treatment inflict.
ed upon prisoners of war, the judicial
murders of Miss Cayel. of Captain
Frayatt, the deportation and the re.
duction of slavery of civil populations,