The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1917-12-04

the very beginning of this stupendous
war, and | cannot help thinking that if |
they had been made plain at the very |
outset the sympathy and enthusiasm OF
the Russian people might have been once |
for all enlisted on the side of the allies,
suspicion and distrust swept away and
real and lasting union OF purpose effect |
ed. Had they believed these things at the
very moment of their revolution and had
they been confirmed in that belief since
the sad reverses which have recently
marred the progress of their affairs to-
ward an ordered and stable government
of freemen might have been avoided
The Russian people have been poisoned
by the very same falsehoods that have
kept the German people III the back
ground and the poison has been admin
istered by the very same hand The only
possible antidote is the truth 1t cannot
be uttered too plainly and too often.
From every point of view, therefore, it
has seemed to be my duty to speak these
declarations of purpose, to add these spe-
cfc interpretations which ! took the lib
erty of saying to the senate in January.
Our entrance into the war has not al
! tered our opinion toward the settlement
that must come when it is over When |
said in January that the nations of the
world were entitled not only to free
pathways over the seas. but also to be
assured OF an unmolested access to these
pathways | was thinking, and am think
ing now, not OF the smaller and weaker
nations alone, which will need our coun-
tenance and support, but also of the great
and powerful nations and OF our present
enemies as we'll as our present associates
in the war. | was thinking and am think
now OF Austria among the rest as
well as OF Serbia and of Poland. Justice
and equality Of rights can be had only
at a great price.
We are seeking permanent, not tenn
lporary, foundations for the peace of the
world and must seek them candidly and
lfearlessly. As always the right will
prove to be the expedent
What shall we do then, TO push this
great war of freedom and justice 10 its
righteous conclusion? We must clear
away with a thorough hand all impedi-
ments to success and we must make every
adjustment of law that will facilitate the
full and free use of our whole capacity
and force as fighting unit.
One very embarrassing obstacle that
stands in our way is that we are at war
with Germany but not with her allies
i, therefore, very earnestly recommend
that the congress Immediately declare
the United States in state of war with
Austria Hungary.
Does it seem strange 10 YOU that thi,
should be the conclusion OF the argument
have just addressed to you? 1t is not
1t is, in fact, the inevitable logic Of what
! have said. Austria Hungary is for Tho
time being not her own mistress, but
simply a vassal of the German govern
ment. We must face the facts as they
are and act upon them without sentiment
in this stern period. The government o.
Austria Hungary is not acting upon it,
own initiative, or in response 10 tn.
1 wishes or feelings OF its own people, bu
e as the instrument Of another nation
5 The same logic would lead Us also TO
declaration Of war against Turkey an,
e Bulgaria. They also are the tools OF Ger
: many. But they are mere tools and d
; not stand in the direct path OF our nee
/ essary action.