South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-11-26

detachment from European affairs,
II was natural for the American gov
eminent when the war broke out in
Europe TO consider II a quarrel
among European nations and TO de-
clare its neutrality.
II was pointed out that for two
years and a half the American gov
eminent observed its neutrality and
called the attention of both groups
OF belligerents 10 violations Of sea
law. Germany's offenses became in
tOlerable and America entered the
war both for that reason and be-
cause America did have a
ity OF ideals Of government and Of
human rights with the allies. Amer
lea as became a great country. was
impelled 10 put forth great efforts
and she d:d.
Allied statesmen have fully APP
preciated the effect of American
arms in winning the decision. Never
theless. II was contended by some.
this had been a controversy among
European nations and the winning
group. II was suggested, supposed
hat America, having accomplished
her ends. would return to her de-
tachment and allow the countries
intimately concerned to arrange a
settlement. according to the Euro
pean viewpoint of the situation.
Wanted Friendly Counsel.
These statesmen made II plain
that they would receive every
friendly counsel the United States
would offer, the more so because
they knew that America wanted
nothing in n material way for her
self, but was interested only in real
izing her ideals. The losses the
other belligerents have suffered in
comparison with those Of the
United States also have been cited
as q reason for the allies having a
predominant influence in shaping
the new order in Europe.
These were some Of the concep-
tions put forward by the allied gov
ernments with much ~tenacity and
and skill, but always in a friendly
spirit.
The contentious Of the American
government generally and substan-
ItCllH were llLf II Idu tuIIlt liAlO lIlC
war not alone on account OF specific
grievances against Germany. but on
account also of certain fundamental
principles OF justice and right.
These principles had been an
nounced with fullness several times
by the American government and
had resulted in a great effort by
the American people.
Looked at from Washington these
principles. each time they had been
enunciated in part or in whole, had
been received f%avorabiy BY the Eu-
ropean peoples and seemingly by the
allied governments.
" was not meant TO be under
stood that the American government
had thought the allied governments
had formally accepted them. but the
attitude OF the ministers unofficial
" and of the press and of all emil
nent men outside the immediate q
m~inistrations and OF the peoples as
a whole a caused the conviction
20 prevail in America that these
principles had been approved and
accepted as ideals on which the war
was being prosecuted.
Presented Clean Issue.
The American people never had
been conscious that they were fight
ing for territorial or colonial inter
ests Of any allied governments. ex-
cepting insofar as these came within
the framework Of the American
governments principles. Conse-
quently. II was necessary to bring
out that these points, having been
accepted by the central powers, pre-
sented a clean issue as TO whether
they were to be officially accepted
by the allied powers.
If The allied powers could not see
their way clear TO accept them. the
American government was in the
position of having conducted the
for purposes which were not
identical with those OF the allies.
This presented a rather delicate
issue at the outset as IL was realized
that IL might require the submission
of the entire subject TO the Ameri-
can congress. The European min
listers felt the force Of the views
presented. and this IN time brought
about an entire agreement on the
American points as a basis Of peace