The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-09-17

the interest and for the benent OF the
populations concerned and not as a part
Of any mere adjustment or compromise
Of claims against rival States: and
Fourth. That all well defined ma
tional aspirations shall DO accorded the
utmost satisfaction that can be &C.
corded them without introducing new
or perpetuating old elements of discord
and antagonism that would be likely
in time to break the peace of Europe
and consequently Of the world
The Presidents speech at the tomb
Of WASHINGTON on July dwelt upon
"the ends for which the association Of
peoples Of the world are fighting and
which must be conceded them before
there can be peace:
"I. The destruction OF every arbitrary
power anywhere that can separately, Sc
cretly and Of It's single choice disturb
the peace Of the world: or II It cannot
be presently destroyed. at least its re-
duction to virtual impotence.
III. The settlement OF every question.
whether OF territory. OF sovereignty. Of
economic arrangement or Of political re-
lationship, upon the basis OF the free ac-
ceptance Of that settlement by the peo-
pie Immediately concerned, and not upon
the basis OF the material Interest or ad-
vantage of any other nation or people
which may desire q different settlement
Cor the sake OF it's own exterior influence
or mastery.
"III. The consent Of all nations to be
governed in their conduct toward each
other by the same principles Of honor
and of respect for the common laws OF
civilized society that govern the individ-
ual citizens of all modern States in their
relations with one another, to tho end
that all promises and covenants may be
sacredly observed. no private plots or
conspiracles Matched. no selfish injuries
wrought with impunity. and a mutual
, trust established upon the foundation Of
| mutual respect for right.
'IV. The establishment Of an organi-
sation of peace which shall make 1t GER
tain that the combined power OF free
nations will check every invasion OF
| right and serve to make peace and jus
| tice the more secure by affording a def
mite tribunal of opinion to which all
must submit and by which every inter-
national readjustment that cannot be
| amcably agreed upon by the peoples d.
rectly concerned shall be sanctioned"
1t Is these addresses of the Presi-
dent, broad and statesmanlike, yet not
pointing to the map Of Europe rs the
address of January pointed, that
Austria turns to in her endeavor to
draw the belligerents to secret and
non.binding consideration of the pre-
requisites of peace. 1t will be OBJ
jected by critics Of the invitation that
Austria does not turn sQuarely to Mr..
WILSON'S principles. There is a
phrase Of possible withdrawal at the
tail Of the paragraph announcing that
the "far reaching application" is not
likely to meet with objection from
the Teutonic Powers:
! "Presurposing that this application IS
general and reconcilable with the vital
interests of the States concerned"
Germany might find that nearly
every point of the Presidents prin-
ciples was not reconcllable with her
own ideas OF her vital interests
Doubtless, If she came to the confer.
ence as a conQuerOr, she would choose
to accept no Interpretation of any OF
the principles unless it suited her
fancy. The point most favorable to
consideration Of the Austrian invita-.
ton, however. is the fact that Ger.
many would not come to the table rs
a conQueror. 1t is impossible that
Austria can believe that Germahy's
military masters would be received
by allied Powers OF Civilization al
any conference, public or private
Vienna has in its files speech which
leaves no room for doubt on that sub
ject. 1t is President WILSON'S speech
of April 6, in which he said:
For myself am ready. ready still
ready even now. to discuss a fair ant
just and honest peace at any time tina,
is sincerely purposed; a peace in which
the strong and the weak shall far,
alike. But the answer. when l pro
posed such a peace. came from the Ger
man commanders in Russia, and I can
not mistake the meaning OF the answer"
1t was in that speech that thu
President declared that Americas an
swer to German force must be forct
force to the utmost, force without
stint or limit"