Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-09-28
The Foundation for Peace.

Zach time PRESIDENT WILSON do-
dresses himself in his public utter
ances to the question of the peace that
is to be won through this war he enun-
ciates more clearly the principle of
world justice and brings to sharper
focus the thought of the allied peoples
upon the essential of an enduring
unity among the nations. His speech
last night in New York. in opening
the liberty loan campaign, was the
plainest expression yet given of the
thought that the peace toward which
We are progressing by way of battles
won must be based upon justice to all.
Two particular points stand out con-
spicuously in this address, SO pregnant
with suggestions and enunciated prin
ciples. One is that there can be no
compromise with the enemy, no bar
gain, no dealing. The other is that
when peace is attained there must be a
league of nations to guarantee and
keep that peace, and that leagues con-
stitution will be part of the final terms
upon which peace is framed.
So far as he speaks the will Of the
aHies-and there is reason to believe
that he is now regarded as speaking
for them in spirit if not in exact terms
President Wilson's statement sounds
the doom of any hope Germany may
have entertained of having dominant
voice at the peace table, in shaping by
compromise the final agreements. We
cannot "come to terms" says the Pres
ident, with the governments of the
central empires. "They have convinced
US that they are without honor and do
| not intend justice; they observe no
covenants, accept no principle but
force and their own interest
Notice is served upon the German
people that "we cannot accept the word
of those who forced this war upon US;
we do not think the same thought or
speak the same language of agree
ment." This is notice that if the Ger
man people hope to participate on
terms of mutual confidence in the
framing of the terms of peace they
must change their government. For, it
is the plain meaning of the Presidents
speech, that this government is an out
law.
Germany will have to redeem her
character says Mr.. Wilson, mot by
what happens at the peace table, but
by what follows" That sounds clear
note. 1t may be heard and understood
even in Berlin. But there is another
note, of warning to any power that
may seek advantage from the peace
terms, that in the settlement, so far
as this country can go in determine
tion, FIVE essential principles must
govern: No discrimination between
those to whom we wish to be just and
those to whom we do not want to be
just, but a justice that plays no favor
ties; no special or separate interest of
any single nation or group of nations
inconsistent with the common interest
Of all; no leagues or alliances Of spe-
cial covenants within the general and
common family Of nations; no special
economic combinations within the
league and no economic boycott save
as that power may be vested in the
league as a means of discipline and
control; and finally all treaties and
agreements to be known in their en-
tirety to the world.
Here, then, is broad, sound basis
for peace. Upon it will be built q
structure more secure than upon any
other foundation.
The President declares for no nego.
: tiated peace with outlawed Germany,
but for immediate and enduring peace,
guaranteed by all the great powers,
with justice to all, including the enemy
peoples.
And the whole world will say,
"Amen!"