Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-04-08

own and that, if ii should be lost, their
own great nations place and mission in
the world would lie lost with it.
Il call YOU to witness. my fellow
countrymen. that at no stage OF this ter
rhle business have ! Judged the pur-
poses Of Germany Unexpectedly.
should be ashamed. in the presence OF
affairs so grave. 50 fraught with thu
destinies Of mankind throughout all the
world, 70 speak with trucuencc. to use
the weak language Of hatred or vim
dictivc purpose. We must Judge as we
would he judged. ! have sought to
learn the objects Germany has in this
war from the mouths of her own
spokesNen and TO deal as frankly with
them as | wished them To deal with me-
! have laid bare our own ideals, our
own purposes. without reserve or doubt
ful phrase. and have asked them T. say
as plainly what il is that they seek.
Germany Thirsts for Power
I'VE have ourselves proposed no in
Justice, no aggression. We are ready.
Whenever the final reckoning is made,
to he just TO the German people, deal
fairly with the German Power as
with all others. There can be no
difference between peoples in the fin
Il Judgment, If it is indeed TO be a
righteous Judgment.
ITO propose any thing but Justice.
even handed and dispassionate justice
TO Germany at any time, whatever
the outcome Of the war, would be to
renounce and dishonor our own cause.
For we ask nothing that We are not
willing to accord.
II has been with this thought that
| have sought to learn from those who
spoke for Germany whether it was
justice or dominion and the execution
Of their own will upon the other ma
lions Of the world that tho German
leaders We're seeking. They have
answered, answered in unmistakablc
terms.
They have avowed that it was not
justice but dominion and the unhind .
cred execution Of their own will. The
aNoWal has not come from Germanys
statesmen. 1T has come from her
military leaders. who are her real
rulers. Her statesmen have said that
they wished peace and were ready to
discuss its terms whenever their OBJ
ponents We're willing to sit down at
the conference table with them.
ChancelIor's Terms Indefinite
Her present Chancellor has said. in
indefinite ana uncertain terms. in
deed and in phrases that often seem
TO deny their own meaning. but with
as much plainness as he thought pru~
dent, that he believed that peace
should be based upon the principles
which we had declared would be our
own in the final settlement AT
! Brest Litovsk her civilian delegates
spoke in similar terms, professed their
desire TO conclude q fair peace and
accord to the peoples with whose for
. tunes they We're dealing the right to
choose their own allegiances
But action accompanied and fol-
lowed the profession. Their military
masters the men who act for Ger
/ many and exhibit her purpose in exc
cution. proclaimed a Very different
conclusion.
I'VE can not mistake what they
have done-in Russia. in Finland, in
the Ckraine, in Rumania. The real
test Of their justice and fair play has
come. From this we may judge the
rest. They are enjoying in Russia a
cheap triumph in which no brave or
gallant Nation can long take pride.
a great people, helpless by their own
act' lies for the time at their mercy.
IheIr fair professions are forgotten.
lhey nowhere set up justice, but
everywhere impose their power and
exploit everything for their own use
ana ACKNOWLEDGMENT and the peoples
Q. conquered provinces are invited to
ne Tree under their dominion.
Playing for Big Stake
are we not justified in believing
! 'hat tney would do the same things
a. thelr Western front If they We're
ny there face to face with armies
WHOM even their countless divisions