The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-12-04

Of the plain people here and everywhere
the world. the people who
enjoy no privilege and have very sim
pie and unsophisticated standards OF
right and wrong. is the air all govern
ments must henceforth breathe if they
would live. 1t is in the full disclosing
light OF that thought that all policies
must be conceived and executed in this
midday hour of the worlds life. Ger
man rulers have been able to upset the
peace OF the world only because the Ger
man people were not suffered under their
tutelage to share the comradeship Of
the other peoples OF the world either in
thought or in purpose. They were al
lowed 10 have no opinion OF their own
which might be set up as a rule Of con-
duct for those who exercised authority
over them. but the congress than con
cludes this war will feel the full strength
OF the tides that run now in the hearts
and consciences OF free men everywhere.
Its conclusions will run with those tides.
All these things have been true
from the very beginning OF this stu
pendous war; and cannot help think
ing that IL they had been made plain
at the very outset the sympathy and
enthusiasm Of the Russian people
might have been once for all enlisted
on the side of the allies. suspicion and
distrust swept away, and a real and
lasting union of purpose effected.
Had they believed these things at
the very moment OF their revolution
and had they been confirmed in that
belief since, the sad reyerses which
have recently marked the progress Of
their affairs toward an ordered and
stable government OF free men might
have been avoided. The Russian peo-
pie have been poisoned by the very
same falsehoods that have kept the
German people in the dark, and the
poison has been administered by the
very same hands. The only possible
antidote is the truth. II cannot be
uttered too plainly or too often.
From every point Of view. there
fore, il has seemed to be my duty to
sneak these declarations of purpose,
TO add these specific interpretations
TO what / took the liberty of saying
to the Senate in January. Our en-
trance into the war has not altered
our attitude toward the settlement
that must come when II Is over.
when l said in January that the ma
lions OF the world were entitled not
only TO free pathways upon tho sea,
hut also TO assured and unmolestcd
access to those pathways, was
thinking. and am thinking now, not
Of the smaller and weaker nations
alone which need our countcnancc
and support. but also Of the great and
powerful nations. and OF our presct6
enemies. as well as our present 1850
riates in the war. | was thinking.
and am thinking now. OF Austria her
self among the rest, as wei as OF
Serbia and Of Poland. Justice ana
equality OF rights can be had only al
great price. We are seeking pc
nan.nt not temporary, foundations
o. ,be neace of the world, and must
s.ek them candidly and fearlessly.
As always. the right will prove to
be the eNpedient.
what shaI we do. then. to push
This great war Of freedom and justice
Ia its righteous conclusion? we must
clear away with a thorough mana an
irnnedinents to success and we must
max. every adjustment OF law that
viii facilitate the full and free use
Of our whole capacity ana force as
a fighting unit.
One very embarrassing obstacle tha'
stands in our way Is that VIC are AT
war with Germany. but not WIN hrr
allies therefore very earnestly
,sl,,,,,r,erd that the Congress immedi
ateIy declare the United states IN
state Of war with Austria Hungary
Does II seem strange TO you ina:
this should be the conclusion OF the
argument 1 have just addressed 70
youg II is not. II is in fact the IN
pvitable logic OF what ! nave sald
Hungary IL for the time being
not her own mistress, but simply the
vassal Of the German government. We
must face the facts as they are ana
act upon them without sentiment IT
this stern business The government
| OF Austria Hungary Is not acting upon
| It's own Initiative or in response u
the wishes and feelings OF It's owr
peoples, but as the instrument OF an
other nation. We must meet us Iorct
with out own and regard the Neh'rh
| Powers as but one. The war can be
successfully conducted in no othel
way. The same logic would lead als'
/ TO a declaration OF war against lur
key and Bulgaria. They also are th'
tools OF Germany. But they are mere
/ tools and do not yet stand IN th'
direct path OF our necessary action
/ We shall go wherever the necessl
ties OF this war carry us, but II Seems
/ to me that we should go only wher'
! immediate and practical ronsldeFA
lions lead us and not heed any others
The financial and military measures
which must be adopted will suggest