Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1917-06-11
DECLARES
AIMS OF COUNTRY
Tells Russia In Note What
the United States Is
Fighting For
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KulAhiH Iva
IMwAy@F ~--s-
Washington, June IL. = President
Wilson, in a communication to the new
government of Russia, transmitted Sat
urday, has made plain the war aims of
1.-THE United States and its position of
no annexations, no indemnities.
Ono territory must change hands ex-
lcept for the purpose of securing those
who inhabit it fair chance of life
land liberty" says the communication.
"No indemnities must be insisted on
except those that constitute payment
for manifest wrong done.
"No readjustments of power must
be made, except such as will tend to
secure the future peace of the world
and the future welfare and happiness
of its people.
In unmistakable terms, President
Wilson declares against Germany s pro-
lposal to restore the "status quo' be-
fore the war.
1t was the status quo ante out of
which this iniquitous war issued forth,
he says, Z" the power of the imperial
German government within the empire
and its widespread domination and in
lf1uence outside of that empire
"That status must be altered in such
fashion as to prevent any such hideous
thing from ever happening again."
The Aims of America
"In view of the approaching visit
of the American delegation to Russia
to express the deep friendship of the
American people for the people of
Russia and to discuss the best and most
practical means of cooperation between
the two peoples in carrying the present
struggle for the freedom of all peoples
to q successful consummation, it seems
opportune and appropriate that should
state again in the light of this new part
nership the objects the United States
has had in mind in entering the war.
Those objects have been very much be-
clouded during the past few weeks by
mistaken and misleading statements.
and the issues at stake are too momen-
tous, too tremendous, too significant
for the whole human race to permit any
misinterpretations or misunderstand-
ings, however slight, to remain uncor
rected for moment.
"'The war has begun to go against
Germany, and in their desperate desire
TO escape the inevitable ultimate defeat
those who are in authority in Germany
are using every possible Instrumental
Itluence Of groups and parties among
their own subjects to whom they have
never been Just or fair, or even toler-
ant to promote a propaganda ON botn
sides of the sea which will preserve
their influence at home and power
abroad to the undoing of the very men
they are using.
No Profit is. Sought
ttThe nosition of America iii this
war is so cleariy, ,ayowed that no man
can be excused FOR mistaklng 1t. She
seeks no material profit or aggrandlze'
ment Of any kind, She is fighting for
Ino advantage or selfish object of her
own, but for the liberation of peoples
everywhere from the aggressions Of au-
Itocratic force. The ruling classes in
Germany have begun of late to profess
a like liberality and justice of purpose,
but only to preserve the power they
have set up in Germany and the selfish
advantages which they have wrongly
gained for themselves and their private
projects of power all the way from
Berlin to Bagdad and beyond. Govern
Iment after government has, by their
Influence, without open conquest OF Its
territory, been linked together by
link of intrigue directed by nothing
less than the peace and liberty of the
world. The mcshes of that intrigue must
be broken, but cannot be broken unless
wrongs already done are undone; ana
adequate measures must be taken 10
prevent it from ever again beng re-
woven or repaired.
Must Never Happen Again
"Of course, the imperial German gov
eminent and those whom 1t is using
for their own undoing are seeking to
, obtain pledges that the war will end
> lin the restoration of the status quo
lante If was the status quo ante out of
which this iniquitous war issued forth'
the power of the imperial German gov
0 ernment within the empire and its
widespread domination and Influence
9 outside of that empire That status
}, must be altered in such fashion as to
q preven any such hideous thing from
ever happening again.
'fWe are fighting for the liberty, the
self government and the indicated de-
velour1ent of all peoples, and every fea-
4 ture of the settlement that concludes
this war must be conceived ard eyecut-
ed for that purpose. Wrongs must be
k first riphted and then adequate safe
guards must be created to prevent their
jbeinp committed again. We ought not
J. to consider remedies merely because
IS they have a pleasing and sonorous
S sound. Practical questions can be set
It tied only by practical means. Phrases
y viii NOT achieve the result. Effective
0 adjustments are necessary must be
made.
Absolutism Must End
r e'But they must follow principle
J. and that principle is plain. No people
a must be forced under sovereignty under
n which ii does not wish to live. No ter
/ ritory must change hands except for
S the purpose of securing those who in
habit fair chance of life and liberty.
h No indemnities must be insisted on eX-
e eept those that constitute payment for
v manifest wrongs done No readjust-
I ments of power must be made except
V such as will tend to secure the future
= welfare and happiness of its people.
X 4 X x x x 4 X X x x x x x X =
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