Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-01-08

10 pTVSEAM lOE WOrlO pedces
time with sufficient definition to
make it clear what sort Of defini-
tive terms Of settlement must nee
essarily spring out of them. With
in the last week Mr.. Lloyd George
has spoken with admirable can
dor and in admirable spirit for the
people and government of Great
Britain. There is no confusion of
counsel among the adversaries Of
the central powers, no uncertain
ty OF principles, no vagueness Of
detail. The only secrecy of coun-
sci, the only lack of fearless
frankness, the only failure to
make definite statement Of the OBJ
tects of the war, lies with Ger
many and her allies. The issues
of life and death hang upon these
definitions. No statesman who has
the least conception Of his re-
sponsibility ought for a moment to
permit himself to continue this
tragical and appalling outpouring
of blood and treasure unless he is
sure beyond 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 imperative as he does.
HSsFs voice Of Rassias IL,
~ There Is, moreover. a voice call
Ing for these definitions of prin-
ciple 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
filled. 1t is the voice of the Rus
sian people. They are PROSTATE
and all but helpless, it would seem.
before the grim power of Ger
many, which has hitherto known
no relenting and no pity. Their
power apparently is shattered.
and yet their soul is not subserv-
lent. They will not yield either
in principle or in action. The con-
ception of what is right, of what is
humane and honorable for them to
accept, has been stated with a
frankness, a largeness of view, a
generosity of spirit and uni
versal human sympathy which
must challenge the admiration Of
every friend of mankind; and they
have refused to compound their
ideals or desert others that they
themselves may be safe. They
call to us to say what it is that
we desire, in what, if in anything
our purpose and our spirit. differ
from theirs; and l believe that the
people of the United States would
wish me to respond with utter
simplicity and frankness. Whether
their present leaders believe it or
not, it is our heartiest desire and
hope that some way may be opened
whereby we may be privileged to
assist the people of Russia to at
tain their utmost hope Of liberty
and ordered peace.
Peace Must BE Open.
It will be our wish and purpose
that the processes of peace, when
they are begun, shall be absolute
ly open and that they shall in
volve and permit ,henceforth no
secret understandings Of any kind.
The day of conquest and aggran-
dizement is gone by, SO is also the
day of secret covenants entered
into in the interest OF particular
governments and likely at some
unlocked for moment 10 upset the
peace of the world. 1t is this
happy fact, low clear to the view
of every public man. whose
thoughts do not stiIl linger in an
age that is dead and gone, which
makes 1t possible for every ma
ton whose purposes are consist
ent 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 and
made the life of our own people
impossible unless they were cor,
rected and the world secured once
for all against their recurrence.
What we demand in this war,
therefore. is nothing peculiar to
ourselves. 1t is that the world
be made fit and safe to live in;
and particularly that 1t be made
safe for every peace loving nation
which. like our own, wishes to
live its own life, determine its
own institutions, be assured Of
justice and fair dealing by the
other peoples Of the world as
against force and selfish agrees
sion.
Program Of Peace.
All the peoples of the world are
In effect partners In this inter-
est and for cur own part We see