The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1917-01-05

no peace is possible so long as they
have not secured reparation for vio-
lated rights and liberties, the recog-
milton of the principle of nationalities
and of the free existence of small
states; so long as they have not
brought about a settlement calculat-
ed to end once and for all forces which
have constituted a perpetual menace
to the nations and afford the only eff
fective guarantee for the future Sc
curity of the world.
an conclusion the allied Powers
think it necessary to put forward the
following considerations, which show
the special situation of Belgium after
two and half years of war. In viz
tue of the international treaties signed
by five great European Powers, OF
whom Germany was one, Belgium en-
joyed before the war special status,
rendering her territory inviolable and
placing her, under the guarantee of
the Powers, outside all European con-
flicts. She was, however, in spite Of
these treaties, the first to suffer the
aggression of Germany. For this
reason the Belgium Government
think is necessary to define the aims
which Belgium has never ceased to
pursue while fighting side by side
with the entente Powers for right
and justice.
"Belgians Reduced to Slavery"
Belgium has always scrupulously
fulfilled the duties which her neutral
ity imposed upon her. She has taken
up arms to defend her independence
and her neutrality violated by Ger
many and to show that she remains
faithful to her international obliga-
tons.
"On the fourth of August, 1914, in
the Reichstag the German Chancellor
admitted that this aggression consti-
tuted an injustice contrary to the
laws of nations and pledged himself
in the name of Germany to repair it.
During two and half years this in
Justice has been cruelty aggravated
by the proceedings of the occupying
forces, which have exhausted the re-
sources of the country, ruined its in
dustries, devastated its towns and vii
lagos and have been responsible for
innumerable massacres, executions
and imprisonments.
"At this very moment, while Ger
many is proclaiming peace and hui
mainly to the world, she is deporting
Belgian citizens by thousands and re-
ducing them to slavery.
Belgium before the war asked for
nothing but to live in harmony with
her neighbors. Her King and her
Government have but one aim-the
re-establishment of peace and justice
But they only desire peace which
would assure to their country legiti-
mate reparation, guarantees and safe
guards for the future"
Spectator Outlines Entente's Peace
Terms.
1t will be observed that the entente
Allies do not specifically outline the
definite war aims of any of the En-
tente Governments except as to Bel
GUM, as suggested by President Will
sons note, nor did Germany in her
reply to the Presidents note, but the
London Spectator of the date of the
Entente Allies reply devoted great
er part of its issue to what it declares
are the only peace terms that will be
acceptable, which doubtless voice
public sentiment of all the Entente
Powers, and show how remote is any
prospect Of peace. Briefly summar-
lied the principal demands as outlined
by the Spectator follow:
"The peace terms are to start from
the status quo before the war, thus
including the evacuation of the whole
of Northern France, Belgium and
Nuremberg, and all lands taken from
Servia, Rumania, Russia and Monte
negro.
"Alsace-Lorraine is to be restored
to France. The Danish portion of
Schleswig- Holstein is to go to Den
mark and Posen, Polish Prussia, and
Austrian Poland are to be added to
the new subkingdom of Poland which
the Gar has pledged to create.
1.-THE Slavs Of Herzegovina, Dalma-
tia, Croatia are to be created into q
new kingdom.
Bohemia to be an Independent
State.
"The Rumanian section of Transyl-
vania to be added to Rumania.
"The whole Austrian Tyrol plus
Trieste, Istria and the other portions
of Austria which are Italian in blood
or feeling, to be added to Italy.
Turkey to yield Constantinople
and the Straits to Russia.
"The Armenians to be put under
Russian tutelage.
"The Arabs to be freed, while Sy-
ria, Asia Minor and Mesopotamia are
to be under external protection guar
anteeing tranquility.
"The German colonies to remain in
the hands of the Entente. Moreover,
money indemnity for the ruin Ger
many has done in Belgium, France,
Servia and Montenegro.
"As regards shipping, Germany to
make reparation in kind for all ships
Of commerce destroyed ton for ton,
neutral shipping to be replaced only
after all the demands of the Allies
have been satisfied.
"The Germany navy to be handed
over and distributed among the en-
tente nations.
GAS guarantee against future
- A. Il