The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1918-02-28
what shall be done with Poland.
Foe for Barter and Concession.

'fIn the determination of all ques-
tons affecting the Balkan states he
defers, as understand him, to Austria
and Turkey; and with regard to the
agreements to be entered into concern
ing the non-Turkish peoples Of the
present Ottoman empire to the Turk
ish authorities themselves. After
settlement all around, effected in this
fashion, by individual barter and con-
cessfon, he would have no objection,
if 1 correctly interpret his statement,
to league of nations which would IN
dertake to hold the new balance of
power steady against external disturb
ances.
1T must be evident to everyone who
understands what this war has
wrought in the opinion and temper Of
the world that no general peace, no
peace worth the infinite sacrifices Of
these years of tragical suffering, can
possibly be arrived at in any such
fashion.
Peace of World Is at Stake.
1.-THE method the German chancellor
proposes is the method of the congress
of Vienna. We cannot and will not
return to that. What is at stake now
is the peace of the world. What we
are striving for is a new international
order based upon broad and universal
principles of right and justice
mere peace of shreds and patches. Is
it possible that Count Won Hertling
does not see that, does not grasp it, is,
in fact, living in his thought in a world
loo r. co..
gotten the reichstag resolutions Of the
18th of July, or does he deliberately
ignore them? They spoke of the con-
ditions of a general peace, not of ma
tiOnal aggrandizement or of arrange
mentS between state and state. The
peace of the world depends upon the
just settlement of each of the several
problems to which adverted in my re-
cent address to the congress. I, OF
course, do not mean that the peace
of the world depends upon the accept
ance of any particular set of sugges-
lions as to the way in which those
problems are to be dealt with. 1 mean
only that these problems, each and all,
affect the whole world; that unless
they are dealt with in a spirit of IN
selfish and unbiased justice, with
view to the wishes, the natural con-
nections, the racial aspirations, the Sc
curity and peace of mind of the peo-
pies involved, no permanent peace will
have been attained.
"They cannot be discussed separate
ly or in corners. None of them con-
stitute a private or separate interest
from which the opinion of the world
may be shut out Whatever affects
the peace affects mankind, and moth
ing settled by military force, if settled
wrong, is settled at all. 1t will pres
emily have to be reOpened.
Refers to Reichstag Resolutions.
'Is Count Won Hertling not aware
that he is speaking in the court of
mankind, that all the awakened ma
tons of the world now sit in judgment
on what every public man of whatever
nation may say on the issues of a con-
fict which has spread to every region
of the world? The reichstag resolu-
lions of July themselves frankly ac-
cepted the decisions of that court.
There shall be no annexations, no con-
tributions, no punitive damages. Peo-
pies are not to be handed about from
one sovereignty to another by an in
ternational conference or an under
standing between rivals and antagon-
lists. National aspirations must be re-
spected, peoples may now be dominat-
ed and governed only by their own con-
sent.
"SeIf- imperative.
'Self-determination' is not a mere
phrase, it is an imperative principle
| of action, which statesmen will hence
forth ignore at their peril All the
| parties to this war must join in the
settlement Of every issue anywhere in
| Volved in it, because what we are seek
| ing is a peace that we can all unite tC
guarantee and maintain and every item
| of it must be submitted to the common
| judgment whether it be right or fair
an act of justice rather than bargain
| between sovereigns.
1.-THE United States has no desire
to interfere In European affairs or tc
act as arbiter in European territorial
disputes. She would disdain to take
advantage Of any internal weakness OF
disorder to impose her own will upor
another people. She is quite ready tt
be shown that the settlements she ha.
suggested are not the best or the mos
enduring. They are only her own pro
visional sketch of principles and Of the
way in which they should be applied
"But she entered this war becaus,
she was made a partner, whether sh'
would or not, in the sufferings and in
/ dignfties inflicted by the military mas
tiers of Germany, against the peace ant
security of mankind, and the condi
lions of peace will touch her as nearl,
as they will touch any other nation t,
which is entrusted a leading part il
the maintenance of civilization. Sh
cannot see her way to peace until tn
causes of this war are removed, its re
newal rendered as nearly as may b
impossible.
1.-The war had it's roots in the dis
regard of the rights of small nation
and of nationalities which lacked tn
union and the force to make good thei
I and tho organizoti01 for a0rOIIno0f