The sun., 1918-02-12

materials Of manufacture would af-
ford no foundation for peace.
Neither, he may rest assured, will
separate and selfish cotnpacts with
regard to provinces and peoples.
Count Czernin seems to see the
fundamental elements Of peace with
clear eyes and does not seek to OBJ.
scure them. He sees an Independent
Poland. made up Of all tho indis-
putably Polish peoples who lie con-
tiguous to one another. is a question
Of European concern and must of
course be conceded: that Belgium
must be evacuated and restored, no
matter what sacrifices and conces-
sions that may involve; and national
aspirations must be satisfied, even
within his own empire. in the COM
mon interest Of Europe and man.
kind.
II he 10 silent about questions
which touch the interest and pur-
pose Of his allies more nearly than
they touch those OF Austria only, It
must, Of course. be because no feels
constrained. I suppose. to defer to
Germany and Turkey in the circum-
stances.
Seeing and conceding. as he does.
the essential principles involved and
the necessity Of candidly applying
them. he naturally feels that Austria
can respond to the purpose of peace
~ as expressed by the United States
with less embarrassment than could
Germany. He would probably have
gone much further had II not been
for the embarrassments Of Austria's
alliances and Of her dependence upon
Germany.
Sets Forth Principles Applied.
After all. the test of whether 1t is
possible for either Government to go
any further in this comparison Of
views is simple and obvious. The
principles to be applied are these:
First, that each part Of the final
settlement must be based upon the
essential justice Of that particular.
case and upon such adjustments as
are most likely to bring q peace
that will be permanent:
6ONVuOs Nu0N POOPiOo pSON-
inces are not to Be bartered about
from sovereignty to sovereignty
~ u they were moro chattsls and
- -pAwps in q game. even the great
game, now forever discredited. Of
the Balance Of power; but that
Third, every territorial settle
ment involved In this war must be
made In the interest and for the
benefit of the populations con-
cefned and not as part Of any
mere adjustment or compromise of
claims against rival States: and
Fourth. that all we'll defined ma
tional aspirations shall be accorded
the utmost satisfaction that can be
accorded them without introduce
ing new or perpetuating old ele-
ments Of discord and antagonism
that would be likely in time to
break the peace Of Europe and
consequently Of the world.
A general peace erected upon such
foundations can be discussed. Until
such a peace can be obtained we
have no choice but to go on. So far
as we can Judge these principles
that We regard as fundamental are
already everywhere accepted as i'm
perative except among the spokes-
men Of the military and annexation
list party in Germany. II they have
anywhere else been. rejected. the OBJ
jectors have not been sufficiently
- numerous or influential to make
their voices audible. The tragical
- L. No l.i -,
In Germany Is apparently willing and
able to send millions Of men to their
death to prevent what all the world
now sees to be just.
Never Tarn Back From Our Course
would not be a true spokesman
Of the people Of the United States
II did not say once more that we
entered this war upon no small oc-
casion and that We can never turn
back from a course chosen upon prin-
cip.e. Our resources are In part
mobilized now. anI We shall not pause
until they are mobilized in their en-
tirety. Our armies are rapidly going
to the fghting front. and will go
moro and more rapidly Our whole
strength will be put into this war
of femancipation--emancipation from
the threat and attempted mastery Of
selfish groups Of autocratic rulers
whatever the difficulties and present
partial delays.
We are indomitable in our power
Of independent action. and can in no
circumstances consent to live in a
world governed by intrigue and
force. We believe our own desire
for a now international order. under
which reason and justice and the
common interests Of mankind shall
prevail, Is the desire Of enlightened
men everywhere. without that now
order the world will be without peace
and human life will lack tolerable
conditions Of existence and develop
ment. Having set our hand to the
task OF achieving It We shall not
turn back.
hope It IL not necessary for me
to add that no word Of what have
said 10 Intended ~ q threat. That
10 not the temper Of our people.
have spoken thus only that the
whole world may know the true
spirit Of America--that men every.
where may know our passion for
Justice and for slf-government ID
no mere passion Of words. but q pas
sion which, once sst In action. must
be satisfied. The power Of the United
States 10 . msnaos to no nation or
people. 1t will never b used in az
gression or for the asgrandisement
OF any selfish interest Of our own. II
springs out Of freedom and 10 for the
service Of freedom.