Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1917-01-22

navies Of the world in keeping the
seas at once free and safe. And
the question OF limiting naval arma-
ments opens the wider and perhaps
more difficult question of the limita-
ton Of armies and OF all programs OF
military preparation. Difficult and
delicate as these questions are, they
must be faced with the utmost can
dor and decided in a spirit of real ac-
commodation II peace Is TO come with
healing in it's wings. and come TO
stay.
peace cannot be had without con-
cession and sacrifice. There can be
no sense Of safety and equality among
the nations II great preponderatng
ornaments are henceforth TO continue
here and there 10 be built up and
maintained. The statesmen OF the
world must plan for peace and ma
tons must adjust and accommodate
their policy to it as they have planned
for war and made ready for pitiless
conquest and rivalry.
The question Of ornaments, wheth-
er on land or sea. Is the most immedi-
ate and intensely practical questions
connected with the future fortunes OF
nations and of mankind.
81 have spoken upon these great mat
ters without reserve and with the ut
most eXplicitness because it has seemed
TO me 20 be necessary if the worlds
yearning desire for peace was anywhere
to find free voice and utterance.
Perhaps 7 am the only person in
high authority amongst all the people
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
responsible head Of a great govern
ment and feel confident that ! have
said what the people OF the United
States would wish me TO say. May
I not add that / hope and believe
that am in effect speaking for
/ liberals and friends OF humanity in
every nation and Of every program
OF liberty.
Il would fain believe that I am
speaking for the silent mass Of man
kind everywhere who have as yet had
no place or opportunity to speak their
real hearts out concerning the death
and ruin they see to have come al
ready upon the persons and the homes
they hold most dear
"And in holding out the expecta
ton that the people and government
Of the United States will join the
other civilized nations OF the world In
guaranteeing the permanence of
peace upon such terms as / have
named / speak with the greater bold
ness and confidence because It Is
oil n NH hftl
that there Is I'm this promise no breach
in either our traditions or our policy
as q nation. but a fulhllment. either
Of all that we have professed OF
striven for.
Il am proposing. as il we're, thai
the nations should with one ACCORD
adopt the doctrine Of President Mon
roe as the doctrine OF the world; thai
no nation should seek to extend itl
polity over any other nation or peO
pie, but that every people should be
left free to determine its own pol
ity, its own way OF development. un
hindered nthreatened, unafraid thu
little along with the great and pow er
full.
IL am proposing that all nation
henceforth avoid entangliug alliance
which would draw them into compet
tions OF power, catch them in a net ,
intrigue and selfish rivalry, and distuI
their own affairs with influences il
! truded from without. There is no ei
= tnngling alliance On a concert of powC
When all unite TO act in the same sen
and with the same purpose. all act
the common interest and are free to II
3 their own lives under a common prote
ton.
II am proposing government b
j., the consent Of the governed; tina
freedom Of the seas, which I'm inter
national conference after conference
. representatives of the United State
! have urged with the eloquence {
those who are the convinced disci
pies OF liberty; and that moderatio
Of armaments which makes {
: armies and navies q power for orde
merely, not an instrument Of aggres
sion or OF selfish violence.
These are American principle
American policies We could stan
for no others; and they are also n
I principles and policies OF forwar'
looking men and women everywher
: and OF every modern nation and (
every enlightened community. The
are the principles of mankind an
must prevail