Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1918-02-14

be because he feels constrained, suppose,
to defer to Germany and Turkey in the
circumstances. Seeing and conceding, as
he does, the essential principles involved
and the necessity Of candidly applying
them, he naturally feels that Austria can
respond to the purpose of peace as ex-
pressed by the United States with less
embarrassment than could Germany. He
would probably have gone much further
had 1t not been for the endorsements Of
Austria's alliances and of her dependence
upon Germany.
WHAT CAN BE DISCUSSED.
After all, the test Of whether It is pos
sible for either government to 60 any
further In this comparison Of Views is
simple and obvious. The principles to be
applied are these:
First, that each part Of the final set
Element must be based upon the essential
Justice Of that particular case and upon
such adjustments as are most likely to
bring peace that will be permanent;
Second, that peoples and provinces are
not to be bartered about from sovereignty
to sovereignty as II they were chattels and
pawns in a game, even the great game.
now forever discredited. of the balance
of power; but that,
Third, every territorial settlement
involved in this war must be made in
the interest and for the beneht Of the
populations concerned and not as q
part of any mere adjustment or COM
promise Of claims amongst rival States;
and.
Fourth. that all we'll defined national
aspirations shall be accorded the ut
most satisfaction that can be accorded
them without introducing new or per-
petuating old elements Of discord and
antagonism that would be likely in
time to break the peace Of Europe and
consequently of the world.
EITHER THIS OR FIGHT.
A general peace erected upon such
foundations can be discussed. Until
| such a peace can be secured we have
no choice but to go on. So far as we
can Judge, these principles that we re-
gard as fundamental are already ev-
erywhere accepted as imperative except
among the spokesman OF the military
and annexation party in Germany
If they have anywhere else been rec.
ognized. the DIRECTORS have not been
sufficiently numerous or influential to
make their voices audible. The tragi-
cal circumstance is that this one party
in Germany is apparently willing and
able to send millions of men to their
death to prevent what all the world
now sees to be just.
| AMERICA WILL STICK.
would not be true spokesman of the
people Of tho United States II I did not
say once more that we entered this war
upon no small occasion and that we can
never turn back from a course chosen
upon principle. Our resources are in part
| mobilixed and we shall not pause until
they are modified in their entirety. Our
armies are rapidly going to the front and
will 60 more and more rapidly. Our whole
strength will be put into this war OF
INSTRUMENTATION from the
threat and attempted mastery Of selfish
groups Of autocratic rulers-whatever the
difficulties and present partial delays.
We are indomitable in our power of inde-
pendent action and can in no circum-
stances consent to live in a world gov
erned by intrigue and force. We believe
that our own desire for new interna-
tional order under which reason and Jus
tice and the common interests Of man.
kind shall prevail 10 the desire Of en-
lightened men everywhere. Without that
new order the world will be without peace
and human life will lack tolerable con-
ditions Of existence and development
Having set our hand to the task Of accept.
ing It, we shall not turn back.
| hope that It 10 not necessary for me
to add that no word of what I have said
is intended as q threat. That IL not the
temper of our people. have spoken
thus only that the whole world may know
the true spirit Of America-that mer
everywhere may know that our passion
for Justice and for self government IL nc
mere passion Of words. but q passion
which once set In action. must be salts
fed. The power Of the United States II
menace to no nation or people. It will
never be used in aggression or for tn,
ACKNOWLEDGMENT Of any selfish interest o,
our own. 1t springs out Of freedom ant
Is for the service Of freedom.