Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-18
Knox Protests
Peace League
Continued from Page One

menace in the future most improbable.
Germans, too in this broad sense are
certain of the questions of the condi-
tons under which the United States is
to face the future--Certain questions.
but not all questions. We must guard
against too great ampl!fcation just here.
Restitution becomes an accomplished
fact with the evacuation of invaded ter
rltories and the definite return to France
Of Alsace-Lorraine. The principle Of
restitution. applied to Germany's en-
forced relinQuishment of political and
economic means of ACKNOWLEDGMENT in
Russia. Rumanias Turkey and elsewhere,
extends into the field OF measures to
guarantee the world against a revival
Of the menace of TeIItonIc dominion.
Preparation Is a matter of arithmetic,
OF law and of equitable justice. In other
aspects it extends also into the concep-
tion Of practical. in Contradistinction to
paper. guarantees for the future. In
this view it is no: improper TO consider
whether the imposition of excessively
onerous money payments might not have
the effect of either a desperation favor
able TO anarchy or else a necessity to
allow Germany great foreign trade ia
cllities Gf indeed she can find customers
for her goods in order that she might
produce the wealth required for vast IN
IDENTITIES
The latter alternative in the long run
might have the result Of forcing eco
nomic ACKNOWLEDGEMENT on people who,
we have seen. can now not be safely in
trusted with great power in the world
This war must be a lesson to Germans
! and 20 all who may ever think of emu
! latin3 them. II occurs to me that to
demand the cancellation of the German
I Internal bonded war debt and the allo-
cation of that sum to the funds for
! the n6emnities of restoration. etc.
might possibly be considered. Such a
scheme would appear TO punish the peo-
pie who financed a villainous war in a
way that they would be slow to forget
: should Not Return Colonies
LAS part of guarantee for the fu-
ture. as well as for the sake of hu-
manity and the interest of the peoples
: affected il seems entirely clear that her
/ colonies should not be returned TO Ger
! many but should either be divided
I among the chief belligerents or else
jointly held by them, with their respec'
tive local interests and their position as
! factors in victory. In either case, the
| Allies could determine and appOrtior
such share of raw materials from their
tropical and other territories as they
found convenient after supplying their
own requirements and having in vie"
to give Germay the means of subsistece
but not the means of ACKNOWLEDGMENT.
THE setting up of new free States a;
a Gordon to cut off the future OF th'
'Mittel Europa and near-eastern dream
of founding Teutonic world dominion is
in this respect, another practical meas
ure in the broad conception OF rea
guarantees for the future.
states New American Doctrine
Here is the road we have Travelled
The United States of America slowly
but in the end very clearly, perceive'
that a menace OF Europe by the domin
ion of aggressive military power was Il
this nineteenth century a menace ais
TO the safety of this nation. Americ
manifested this perception by throwin
its entire power into the scales to joi
in the suppression of that menace o
Europe by military imperialism.
Can you not perceive emerging froI
these facts new American doctrine
will state this great new doctrine
these words If a situation should arise !
which any Power OF combination of Pow
l ers should directly or indirectly menac
the freedom and peace OF Europe. III
United States would regard such sltui
\ tion with grave concern as menat
t to It's own freedom and peace, and wou
e consult with other Powers affected wi,
a view to concerted action for the r
moyal OF such menace
"If this had been the avowed an
understood policy of the United Stats
r before July, 1914, 1t is, in my judgmen
u very improbable that the war woul
have occurred. When at length Il
: United States had perceived and ha
e acted on this policy with mighty effe'
: the war entered on it's last and victor
4 Gus phase.
!, America has now perceived and ma
:. tested it's perception OF the principle
. this policy. 1t has put this policy
d successful test. Avowed by public Q
v ficial declaration, It might prove worth
; / believe, to serve with the Monr
Doc.rine as fundamental doctrine
: American diplomacy II entangles US
2 M ways. but 4 makes us the potent
Z al,x af ltht defenders % liberty wheney
sreat r1enaee Hlali arise"