The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-01-12
COMPLETE TEXT
OF ENTENTE REPLY
Continued from Page One.

must imply the sanctions necessary to
insure their execution and thus to
prevent an apparent security from
only facilitating new aggressions. But
discussion Of future arrangements
destined to insure an enduring peace
presupposes a satisfactory settlement
of the actual conflict.
Allie Desire End Of War.
1.-THE allies have as profound de-
sire as the government of the United
States to terminate as soon as possi'
BILE war for which the central pow
ers have been responsible and which
inflicts such cruel sufferings upon
humanity. But they believe that it is
impossible at the present moment to
attain q peace which will assure them
reparation, restitution and such
guarantees to which they are entitled
by the aggression for which the re-
sponsibility rests with the central
powers and of which the principle it
self tended to ruin the security Of Eu-
rope; a peace which would on the 9TH
err hand permit the establishment OF
the future of European nations on
solid basis. The allied nations are
conscious that they are not fighting
for selfish interests, but above all to
safeguard the independence Of peo-
.,
Deplore Neutral Losses.
1.-The allies are fully aware Of the
losses and suffering. which the war
causes to neutrals as we'll as to the
belligerents and they deplore them;
but they do not hold themselves re-
sponsibIe for them. having in no way
either willed or provoked this war, and
they strive to reduce these damages in
the measure compatible with the in
III 80 thAfVa loft
against the violence and the wiles of
the enemy.
1T is with satisfaction therefore that
they take note of the declaration that
the American communication is in no
wise associated in it's origin with that
of the central powers transmitted on
the eighteenth of December by the
government of the United States.
They did not doubt moreover the res
olution of that government to avoid
even the appearance of a support,
even moral, of the authors responsible
for the war.
1.-THE allied governments believe that
they must protest in the most friendly
but in the pacific manner against the
assimilation established in the Amer.
lean note between the two groups OF
belligerents; this assimilation, based
upon public declarations by the Cen
trail powers, is a direct opposition to
the evidence, both as regards re-
sponsibility for the past and as con-
Germs guarantees for the future. Pres
ident Wilson in mentioning it certain
ly had no intention of associating him
self with it.
Blame War On Central Powers.
IF there is an historical fact es-
tablished at the present date, it is the
wilful aggression of Germany and
Austria Hungary to insure their heg-
emory over Europe and their economic
domination over the world. Germany
proved by her declaration of war, by
the immediate violation of Belgium
and Luxembourg and by her manner of
conducting the war, her. stimulating
contempt for all principles of human
ity and all respect for small states.
AS the conflict developed, the attitude
of the central powers and their allies
has been a continual defiance of hu-
mainly and civilization.
1T is necessary to recall the horrors
which accompanied the invasion Of
Belgium and of Servia, the atrocious
regime imposed upon the invaded
countries, the massacre of hundreds
of thousands of inoffensive Armenians,
the barbarities perpetrated against
the populations of Syria, the raids by
Zeppelins on open towns, the destruc-
ton by submarines of passenger
steamers and of merchantmen even
under a neutral flag, the cruel treat
ment inflicted upon prisoners of war,
the juridicial murder of Miss Cavel
and Captain Bryatt, the deportation
and reduction to slavery of civil pop
ulations, ETC., the execution of such
q series of crimes perpetrated without
regard for universal reprobation fully
explains to President Wilson the pro-
test of the allies.
"They consider that the note of
which they sent to the United States in |
reply to the German note will be re- |
sponse to questions put by the. Amer |
can government and according to the |
exact words of the latter, constitute |
a public declaration as to the condi-
ions upon which the war could be |
Objects of the Entente.
President Wilson desires more. He
desires that the belligerent powers
openly affirm the objects which they
seek by continuing the war; the allies
experience no difficulty in replying to
This request. Their objects in the war
ire we'll known; they have been for
on many occasions by the
chiefs of their governments.
Their objects in the war will not be
made known in detail with all the
equitable compensations and indemni-
lies for damages suffered until the |
hour of negotiations. But the civilized
world knows that they imply in all |