The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-08-30
THE PRESIDENTS REPLY.

the war, Mr.. Wilson has dominated
the situation, by the sheer force of
his intellect. and his wonderful gift
of expressing his thoughts.
He has been the one statesman
who has crystallized the aims of the
allied nations. He has voiced the
only real rallying cry Of the OPP
ponents OF Germany. He has ex-
pressed in clear cut terms, a definite
aim to which all can subscribe.
Mr.. Wilson's speech to Congress
on the occasion of the final break
with Germany, and his later addresses,
such as the Flag day grafton, were
promptly adopted by the Allies as
their own. They defined peace
terms and war aims as concretely as
they could be defined until a mill
tary result was achieved. They lift
ed the war from a state of mere
blind struggle. to a crusade with a
purpose. They read like inspired
messages, and will rank with the
great state papers of American his
tory.
Mr.. Wilson's latest state paper, his
reply to Pope Benedict's peace pro-
posals, is the climax.
To a restless. CROPPING nation, torn
with conflicting ideas, it is a banner
to follow, an inspiration to live up
to.
To those who ask for a restate-
ment of peace terms, 1t is a direct,
clear cut answer.
1t is an appeal direct to the Ger
man people over the heads of their
military rulers.
1t is a message of hope and of UNI
swerving purpose.
1t slams the door in the face Of
those who would seek a peace with
the present German government, but
it throws wide the door of welcome
to those who would have a peace
between equals.
The President did not permit him.
self to be drawn into a discussion Of
the terms suggested by Pope Bene-
NA~1s AAC PdAu a wal ana uGSGENGQ
tribute TO the Pope's humane and
generous motives" in trying to end
the slaughter, but he got directly at
the heart OF the situation-the inn
possibility of dealing with any put a
Germany conquered or a Germany
free. He frankly classes the pres
ent German government as an out
law with which any treaty is i'm
| possible.
THE test. therefore, of every
plan OF peace is this: Is it
based upon the faith of all the
peoples involved or merely upon the
word Of an ambitious and intrigu-
ing government ON the one hand
and of a group Of free peoples on
the other?"
I'VE cannot take the word ofthe
present rulers OF Germany as a
guarantee of anything that is to
endure, unless explicitly sup
ported by such conclusive evil
dence of the will and purpose
of the German people themselves
as the other peoples Of the
world would be justified in ac-
cepting."
The message plainly fixes the
blame for the continuation of the
war where it belongs-on the auto
cratic government of Germany. It
extends the hand of friendship to the
people Of Germany. but it offers no
hope of compromise on any terms to
their rulers.
1t theoretically invites the people
Of Germany to throw of their pres
ent shackles and join the free ma
tons of the world. 1t says to them:
I'VE will deal with you directly on
fair terms, but with your self
constituted Representatives we can
have no dealings. We are not
debating the form of government
you shall adopt, but 1t must be
responsible to you as a people for
its actions"
Behind such a program there
should be united country. It in
vites even the Germans in this coun-
try who have the best interests of
their nation at heart. to give It their
best support. 1t should clear the air
Of questionings and doubtings.
If the war can be won by diplo-
macy. this paper is a notable VIC
tory. It cannot but serve to weak
en- the German government at home.
and 1t cannot fail to stimulate and
unite the people OF the Allied Ma
ttons.
TO Pope Benedict may yet come
the credit for making the first sue
cessful move for peace. II Mr.. VIII
sons message so strengthens the
parties in the German Reichstag
which are demanding more repre-
sentative form Of government. that
they can enforce their demands, then
Pope Benedicts proposals offer an
excellent basis on which to begin
negotiations. and one which meets in
large part the aims already outlined
by the American government.
Il is the hope and prayer Of every
humane citizen that that day be not
far on