The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-01-09

not wait for 1t. Not once but again
and again we have laid our whole
thought and purpose before the
world. not in general terms only. but
each time with sufficient definition
to make 1t clear what sort OF
definitive terms Of settlement must
necessarily spring out Of them.
Lloyd Georges Aims Approved.
Within the last week Mr.. Lloyd
George has spoken with admirable
candor and in admirable spirit for
the people and Government Of Great
Britain. There IL no confusion ~
counsel among the adversarieS II
the Central Powers. no uncertainty
Tho only secrecy Of counsel. the only
lack Of fearless frankness. the only
failure to make definite statement
Of the objects Of the war lies with
Germany and her allies. Tho issues
Of life and death hang upon these
definitions. No statesman who has
the least conception Of his respon-
sibility ought for a moment to per-
NIT himself to continue this tragical
and appalling outpouring Of blood
and treasure unless he II sure be-
yond a peradventure that the objects
Of the vital sacrifice are part and
parcel OF the very life Of society
and that the people for whom he
speaks think them right and i'm
perative as he does.
There is. moreover. a voice calling
for these definitions OF principle and
Of purpose which Is. it seems to me.
more thrilling and more compelling
than any OF the many moving voices
with which the troubled air Of the
world is filed. 1t Is the voice Of the
Russian people. They are PROSTATE
and all but helpless. II would seem.
before the grim power OF Germany.
which has hitherto known no relent-
ing and no pity. Their power ap-
parently is shattered. And yet their
soul is not subservient. They will
not yield either in principle or in
action. Their conception Of what is
right, of what It is humane and
honorable for them to accept, has
been stated with frankness, "a
largeness OF view. a generosity OF
spirit and universal human sym
pathy which must challenge the ad-
miration OF every friend Of man
kind; and they have refused to COM
pound their ideals or desert others
that they themselves may he safe.
would Like to Ala Russia.
They cal, TO us to say what II is
that we desire. in what, II in any
thing. our purpose and our spirit
differ from theirs: and I believe that
the people of the United States
would wish me to respond with utter
simplicity and frankness. Whether
their present leaders believe 1t or
not, Il Is our heartfelt desire and
hope that some way may be opened
whereby We may he privileged TO
assist the people of Russia 10 attain
their utmost hope ot liberty and
ordered peace.
II will he our wish and purpose
that the processes OF peace, when
they are begun, shall be absolutely
open, and that they shall involve
and permit henccforth no secret
understandings OF any kind. The
day OF conquest and ACKNOWLEDGMENT
is gone by: SO is also the day OF
secret covenants entered into in tho
interest of particular Governments
and likely at some unlocked for mo-
ment to upset the peace OF the world
II is this happy fact, now clear Ia
the view OF every public man whose
thoughts do not still linger in an
age that IL dead and gone, which
makes it possible for every nation
whose purposes are consistent with
justice and the peace OF the world
TO avow now or at any other time
the objects it has in view.
We entered this war because
violations Of right had occurred
which touched us to The quick enc
made the life OF our own people i'm
possible unless they were corrected
and the world secured once for al
against their recurrence. What We
demand In this war. therefore. !!
nothing peculiar to ourselves. 1t l:
that the world be made At and saf'
to live in; and particularly that Il
be made safe for every peace lovinl
nation which, like our own. wishe:
to live Its own life, determine III
own institutions. be assured of jus