Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-01-09
PRESIDENT VOICES
Continued from Page one)

L hEOl1JE1N1 OlOEO
Continued from Page one) "a
atives dealing? For whom are the rep
resentatives Of the Central Empires
speaking? Are they. speaking for tbs
majorities Of their respective parlia-
ments, or for the minority parties. thai
military and imperialistic minority
which has so far dominated their whole
policy and controlled the affairs Of Tur'
key and Of the Balkan states, which
have felt obliged to become their as
sociates in this war?
The Russian representatives have
insisted, very justly, very wisely and
in the true spirit OF modern democ-
racy, that the conferences they have
been holding with the Teutonic and
Turkish statesmen should be held
within open, not closed doors, and al
the world has been audience, as vas
desired. To whom have we been lis
tening. then? To those who speak the
spirit and intention Of the resolutions
of the German Reichstag of the ninth
Of July last. the spirit and intention
OF the Liberal leaders and parties OF
Germany, or to those who resist ano
defy that spirit and intention and in
sist upon conquest and subJugatlon
or are We listening, in fact, to both
unreconciled and in open and hope
less contradiction? These are very Sc
rious and pregnant questions. Upon
the answer to them depends the peace
of the world
AGAIN Challenged Adversaries
But whatever the results Of the par
legs at Brest- Litovsk, whatever the
confusions of counsel and Of purpose
in the utterances of the spokesman OF
the Central Empires, they have acaii
attempted to acquaint the world WIZ
their objects in the war and have again
challenged their adversaries to say
what their objects are and what sol;
If settlement they would deem just
and satisfactory. There is no gooC
reason why that challenge should moi
he responded to. and responded 70 witt
the utmost candor. We did not wait
for it. Not once. but again we have
laid our whole thought and purpose
before the world. not in general terms
only, but each time with sufficient
of definitive terms Of settlement must
necessarily spring out of them. With
in the last week Mr.. Lloyd George has
spoken with admirable candor and II
| admirable spirit for the people and
| government of Great Britain. There is
! no confusion of counsel among the adj
yersaries of the Central Powers. nc
| uncertainty of principle. no vagueness
, Of detail. Tie only secrecy of coun-
sci. the only lack of fearless frank
/ ness, the only failure to make definite
statement of the objects of the war
/ lies with Germany and her allies.
Issues of Life and Death
The issues of life and death hang upon
these definitions. No statesman who has
the least conception of his responsibility
ought for moment to permit himself t
continue this tragical and appalling out
rouring of blood and treasure unless he Is
sure Ueyond a peradventure that the OBJ
.ec;s of the vital sacrifice are part anc
parcel OF the very life of society anl
that the people for whom he speaks thinl
them right and imperative as he does
There is. moreover, a voice calling fol
these definitions of principle and of pur'
pose which is, it seems to me. moro
thrilling and more compelling than any
c. the many moving voices with whicl
the troubled air of the world is filled. ]
is the voice OF the Russian people. They
are PROSTATE and all but helpless. i
Wouid seem. before the grim power q
Germany, which has hitherto knowa nc
relenting and pity. Their power appar
emily is shattered. And yet their sou
is not subservient. They will not yiel
either in principle or i'll action. Theu
conception OF what is right, OF what i:
humane and honorable for them 10 accept
has been stated with a frankness. j.,
larseness Of view. q generosity of spiri
and a universal human sympathy whic.
must challenge the admiration of every
friend of mankind; and they have refused
10 compound their ideals or desert othel
That they themselves may he safe. They
call To Us to say that il is that we desire
in what, if in anything our purpose an
our spirit differ from theirs: and 7 be
lieve that the people of the United State:
would wish me to respond with utter sim
rlicity ard franhness. Whether thei
heartfelt desire ard hope that some way
may be opened whereby We may be priv
ileged to assist the people of Russia to at
tain their utmost hope of liberty and or
Cered peace.
1t will be our wish and purpose tina
the processes of peace, when they are h.
Gun. shall be absolutely open. and tina
they shall involve and permit hencefortt
no secret understandings of any kind
! The day of conquest and aggrand
izement is gone by; so is also the da,
! of secret covenants entered into in til,
, interest of aIticular governments ant
likely at some unlocked for moment t.
, upset the peace of the world II i
! this happy fact, now clear to the view
I OF every public man whose thoughts d,
! not still linger in an age that is Geat
and gone. which makes it possible 70
! every nation whose purposes are con
sistent with justice and the peace o
, the world TO avow now or at any othe
I time the objects it has in view
We entered this war because VIC
! lations of right had occurred which
/ touched US to the quick and made til.
/ life of our own people impossible un