Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-01-22

than equality of right among organized
nations. No peace can last, or ought
to last which does not recognize and
accept the prtnctple that governments
derive their just powers from the cont
sent of the governed, and that no right
anywhere exists to hand peoples about
from sovereignty to sovereignty as If
they were property. I take 1t for
granted. for instance, If may venture
upon single example, that statesmen
everywhere are agreed that there
should be a united, independent and
autonomous Poland, and that hence
forth an inviolable security Of life, OF
worship and their industrial and social
development should be guaranteed to
all peoples.
Seas Must Be Free.
IT speak Of this not because Of any
desire to exalt an abstract political
principle which has always been heE
very dear by those who have sought to
build up liberty in America, but for
the same reasons that have spoken
for the other conditions of peace which
seem to me clearly indispensable. be-
cause I wish frankly to uncover reali-
ties. Any peace which does not recog-
nize and accept this principle will in
evitably be upset. 1t will not rest up
on the affections nor convictions Of
mankind.
SO far as practicable every great
people struggling toward the full de-
velopment Of its resources and powers
should be assured a direct outlet to the
great highways of the seas. Where
this can not be done by cession of
territory it can be done by neutraliza-
ton of direct rights Of way under
guarantee which will insure the peace
itself.
And the paths of the sea must alike
in law and in fact be free. The free
dom OF the seas is sine qua non of
peace. equality and cooperation.
No Peace With Armament.
TT is a problem closely connected
with the limitation Of naval armament
and cooperation Of the navies of the
world IN keeping the seas Of the world
at once free and safe. There can be no
sense Of safety and equality among the
nations If great preponderating arma-
ments are henceforth to continue to be
built up and maintained.
The statesmen of the world must
plan for peace and nations must adjust
and accommodate their policy to it as
they have planned for war and made
ready for pitiless contest and rivalry.
The question Of armament, whether on
land or sea, is the most immediate
and practical question connected with
the future fortunes of nations and man
kind.
Thinks Duty Up to Him.
Il have spoken on these great mat
ters without reserve because it has
seemed to me to be necessary if the
worlds yearning desire for peace was
anywhere to find free voice and utter
ance. Perhaps am the only person in
high authority amongst all the peoples
Of the world who Is at liberty to speak
and hold nothing back. am speaking
az an individual and yet am speaking
also. Of course. as the responsible head
of great government, and feel con-
fident that have said what the people
of the United States would wish me to
say May add that I believe 1 am
speaking for friends Of humanity in
every nation. would fain believe that
Lam speaking for the silent mass Of
mankind everywhere who nave had not
as yet a place or opportunity to speak
their hearts out concerning the death
and ruin they see to have come upon
the persons and the homes they hold
most dear.
"And in holding ont the expectation
that the people and government of the
United States will join the other civil
lied nations Of the world in guarantee
ing the permanence of peace upon such
terms as I have named, speak with
the greater boldness and confidence, be-
cause it Is clear to every man who can
think that there is in this promise no
breach In either our traditions or policy
as a nation, but a fultillment of all
we have professed or striven for.
Monroe Doctrine For World.
Il am proposing that all nations adopt
tho doctrine Of President Monroe: That
no nation should seek to extend It's pol
ity over any other nation or people, but
that every people should be left free to
determine its own polity.
II am proposing that all nations
avoid entanglng alliances
which would draw them into competi-
tion Of powers, catch them in net Of
intrigue and selfish rivalry and disturb
their own affairs with influences in
truded from without. The-e is no en-
in a concert Of power. When
all act with the same purpose all act
in the common interest and are free to
live their own lives under a common
protection.
Principles Of Mankind.
81 II am proposing government by the
consent Of the governed that freedom
OF the seas which international con-
ference after conference representa-
tives OF the United States have urged
with the eloquence of those who are
convinced disciples of liberty, and that
Of armaments which makes
Of armies and navies power for order
merely. not an instrument of agrees
sion or Of selfish violence. These are
American principles, American policies.
We can stand for no others, and they
are also the principles and policies OF
men and women ev-
erywhere Of every modern nation. OF
every enlightened community. These
are the principles Of mankind and
must prevail"
GERMANS ATTACK