Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1917-06-15

jects have been very much beclouded
during the past few weeks by mis-
takes and misleading statements, and
the issues at stake are too moment
Gus, too tremendous, too significant
for the whole human race to permit
any neutrality-suspicious. of misunder'
standings. however slight, to remain
uncorrected for a moment.
"The war has begun to go against
Germany. and In their desperate de.
sire to escape the inevitable ultimate
defeat, those who are In authority In
Germany are using every possible In.
strumentality are, making use even Of
the influence OF groups and parties
among their own subjects to whom
they have never been just or fair or
even tolerant to promote a propaganda
on both sides of the sea which Will
preserve for them their influence at
home and their power abroad to the
undoing of the very men they are
using.
1.-THE position of America In this war
Is so clearly avowed that no man can
be excused for installing 1t. She
seeks no material profit or aggran'
dizement OF any kind. She is fight
ing for no advantage or selfish object
of her own, but for the liberation OF
peoples everywhere from the agrees
sions of autocratic force. The ruling
classes in Germany have begun OF late
to profess 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 objects of power all
the way from Berlin to Babdad and
beyond. Government after Govern
ment has by their influence, withou.
open conquest of its territory, been
linked together In a net OF intrigue
directed against nothing less than the
peace and liberty of the world. The
meshes of that intrigue must be
broken, but cannot be broken unless
wrongs already done are undone; and
adequate measures must be taken to
prevent it from ever again being re-
woven or repaired.
"Of course. the Imperial German
Government and those whom ii is us.
ing for their own undOing are seeking
10 obtain pledges that the war will
end in the restoration of the status
luo ante. II was the status quo ante
cut OF which this iniduitous war is.
sued forth, the power OF the Imperial
German Government within the En-
1ire and its widespread domination
md influence outside OF that Empire.
That status must be altered in such
ashton as to prevent any such hideous
hing from ever happening again.
I'VE are fighting for the liberty for
he self.government and the undie-
ated development Of all peoples and
very feature of the settlement that
concludes this war must be conceived
nd executed for that purpose
Wrongs must first be righted and then
Nequate safeguards much be created
o prevent their being committed
gain. We ought not to consider
merely because they have
leasing and sonorous sound. Prac.
ical questions can be settled only by
ractical means. Phrases will not ac.
the result Effective read.
ustments will and whatever readjuAt.
lents are necessary must be made
But they must follow principle
md that principle is plain. No people
must be forced under sovereignty un.
Ter which It does not wish 10 live. No
erritory must change hands except
or the purpose OF securing those who
nhabit 1t a fair chance OF life and
liberty. No indemnities must be in.
isted on except those that constitute
'ayment for manifest wrongs done
o readjustments of power must be
lade except such as will tend to Sc.
ure the future peace of the world
nd the future welfare and happiness
I It's peoples.
"And then the free people of the
'orld must draw together In some
ommon covenant. some genuine and
tactical cooperation that will in ef-
oct combine their force to secure
eace and justice in the dealings OF
ations with one another. The broth.
rhood of mankind must no longer be
fair but empty phrase; it must be
ven a structure Of force and reality.
he nations must realize their com.
ION life and effect a workable part.
ership to secure that life against the
ggressions Of autocratic and self !
leasing power. For these things We
m afford TO pour out blood and
easure. For these are the things
e have always protested to desire,
nd unless we pour out blood and
easure now and succeed, we may
ever be able to unite or show con.
lering force again in the great cause
human liberty. The day has come
conquer or submit II the forces OF
ltocracy can divide us, they will
1ercome us; If we stand together,
Glory is certain and the liberty which
Glory will secure, We can afford
ZEN to be generous, but we cannot
ford then or now to be weak or omit
~ single guarantee of justice and q
'curity." 4