New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-18
Irdorses Peace League

The people of Great Britain, Mr.. Bal
four SAYS, share President Wilson's de
sire for peace, but do not believe II
can be durable unless based on an Al
lied victory.
Great Britain's note was entirely un-
expected by officials here, but was
gratifying because they interpreted Ii
as step toward the world federation
10 preserve peace which President vii
son. both in his speeches and in ms
peace note. has pledged the United
States.
Great Britain justifes her continu-
ance of hostilities, IL was pointed out
not only for the immediate objects oil
tho war. but also on the necessity that
"behind international law and behind
all treaty arrangements for preventing
or limiting hostilties some form OF
international sanction should be de
vised which would give pause to the
hardest aggressor."
II is lust some such arrangement. II
was pointed out, which President Will
son has been urging and which is eN-
pccted to cause wider disagreement on
American foreign policy than any other
question raised in the country's his
tory. Great Britain's answer was IN
terpreted as her official acceptance and
Endorsement Of the Presidents pro
ptsal.
The text of the note follows:
In sending you translation Of
the Allied note | desire to make the
following observations which you
should bring to the notice Of the
United States government:
| gather from the general tenor
of the Presidents note that, while
he is animated by an intense desire
that peace should come soon, and
that when it comes it should be
lasting. he does not for the moment
at least concern himself with the
terms on which it should be ar
ranged.
His Maiesty's government entire
lv share the Presidents ideas. but
thew feel strongly that the dura-
bilitv Of peace must largely depend
on lis character and that no stable
eystem of international relations
can be built on foundations which
are essentially and hopelessly de-
fective.
Must Destroy Lust of Conquest
This becomes clearly apparent II
we consider the main conditions
which rendered possible the calami-
tiee from which the world rs now
suffering. These we're the exist
ence Of great powers consumed with
the lust of domination IN the MIDST
of a community of nations Ill pre-
nared for defence, plentifully sup
Dlied. indeed, with international
laws hut with no machinery for en-
forcing them and weakened by the
fact that neither the boundaries OF
the various states nor their inter
nal constitution harmonized with
the aspirations of their constituent
races. or secured to them just and
equal treatment.
That this last evil would be great
ly mitigated if the Allies secured
the changes in the map Of Europe
outlined in their joint note is mani
fest. and | need not labor the point.
II has been argued, indeed that
the expulsion of the Turks from Eu-
rome forms no proper or logical part
of this general scheme. The main
tenance Of the Turkish Empire was
during many generations regarded
by statesmen of worldwide author
itv as essential to the maintenance
Of European peace. Why. 10 II asked.
should the cause Of peace be now
associated with complete reversal
Of this traditional policy?
The answer is that circumstances
have completely changed. II is un-
Continued on page 4. column