Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-01-23

doubt somewhat radical reconsidera-
ton of many of the rules of interna-
tional practice hitherto sought to be
established may be necessary in order
to make the seas indeed free and COM
mon in practically all circumstances
for the use of mankind but the motive
for such changes is convincing and
compelling There can be 10 trust or
intimacy between the peoples of the
world without them. The free, con-
slant, unthreatened intercourse Of ma
lions is an essential part Of the process
of peace and Of development. 1t need
not be difficult to define or to secure
the freedom of the seas if the govern
,ments of the world sincerely desire to
come to an agreement concerning 1t.
Limitation Program.
ut is a problem closely connected
with the limitation OF naval arma-
ments and the cooperation of the
navies of the world in keeping the seas
at once free and safe. And the ques-
ton of limiting naval ornaments
opens the wider and perhaps more diff
f1cult question of the limitation of ar
mics and of all programs of military
preparation. Difficult and delicate as
these questions are, they must be
faced with the utmost candor and de-
cided in spirit Of real accommodation
if peace is to come with healing in it's
wings and come to stay. Peace cannot
be had without concession and sacri-
fee. There can be no sense OF safety
and equality among the nations in
great preponderating ornaments are
henceforth to continue here and there
to be built up and maintained. The
statesmen of the world must plan for
peace and nations must adjust and &C
commodate their policy to it as they
have planned for war and made ready
for pitiless contest and rivalry. The
question of ornaments, whether on
land or sea. is the most Immediately
and intensely practical question con-
nected with the future fortunes of ma
lions and Of mankind.
Speaks FOR the World.
II have spoken upon these great
matters without reserve and with the
utmost explicitness because it has
seemed to me to be necessary if the
worlds yearnina desire for peace was
anywhere to find free voice and utter
ance Perhaps am the only person
in high authority amongst all the peo-
pies Of the world who is at liberty to
speak and hold nothing back ! am
speaking as an individual. and yet am
speaking also. of course, as the re-
sponsible head of great government
and l feel confident that have said
what the people of the United States
would wish me to say. May not add
effect speaking for liberals and friends
| 0F h,,r, {v, 30
every program of liberty? I would fain
believe that I am speaking for the
silent mass of mankind everywhere
who have as yet had no place or oppor-
tuniey to speak their real hearts out
concerning the death and ruin they see
to have come already uDon the persons
and the homes they hold most dear
and in holding out the expectation
that the people and the government
of the United States will Join the
other civilized nations Of the world
in guaranteeing the permanence Of
peace upon such terms as I have
named, speak with the greater bold
ness and confidence because it is
clear to every man who caa think
that there Is in this promise no breach
in either our traditions or our policy
as nation. but fulfllment rather,
Of all that we have professed or striv-
en- for.
World Wide Monroe Doctrine.
81 am proposing, as it were, that
the nations should with one accord
adopt the doctrine of President Mon
roe as the doctrine Of the world
that no nation should seek to extend
its policy over any other nation or
people. but that every people should
be left free to determine its own pol
Icy. it's own way of development. I'M.
hindered. unthreatened, unafraid. the
little along with the great and power
full
~ am proposing that all nations
henceforth avoid entangling alliances
which would draw them into competi-
tions OF power, catch them in net
Of intrigue, and selfish rivalry, and dis
Iturb their own affairs with Influences
intruded from without. There Is no en-
| tangling alliance in concert of
! power When all unite to act in the
same sense and with the same pur-
pose all act in the common interest
and are free to live their own lives
under a common protection.
81 am proposing government by the
consent of the government; that free.
dom Of the seas which in international
conference after conference represen-
/ tatives of the United States have
urged with the eloquence of those who
are the convinced disciples of liberty:
and that moderation Of ornaments
which makes of armies and navies
power for order merely. not an instrn-
ment of aggression or Of selfish yIo-
lence.
"These are American principles,
American policies. We can stand for
no others. And they are also the
principles. and policies of forward
f! looking men and women everywhere,
Of every modern nation. of every en-.
| lightened community. They are the
principles of mankind and must pre-,
vail