Evening star., 1918-01-25

. EVENING SIAR, Fh
torted representation of German policy
which is contained In Mr., Wilson's
message. but will deal IN detail with
the points which Mr. Wilson lays down
there. not less than fourteen points, IN
which he formu1ates his peace program,
and I pray your indulgence in. dealing
'.The first point 10 the demand that there
shall be no more secret International
agreements. History shows 1t is we above
all others who would be able to agree 70
the publicity Of diplomatic documents. 4
Austria Hungary was known to the, whole
world from 1888, while tho offensive
agreement OF the enemy states nrst saw
the light of publicity during the war.
sian archives. The negotiations at Brest-
Litovsk are being conducted with full
publicity This proves that we are
quite ready to accept this proposal and
declare publicity Of negotiations to be
general political principle.
Also a German Demand.
"In his second point Mr.. Wilson de-
mands freedom of shipping on the seas
manded by Germany as the first and
one of the most important requirements
for the future. Therefore there fs here
no difference Of opinion. The Limitation
introduced by Mr.. Wilson at the end,
which I need not quote textually. is not
intelligible. appears superfuous and
would therefore best be left out. (The
clause reads: "Except as the
seas may be closed in whole or in part
by International action for the enforce
ment of international covenants.D
1t would, however, be highly i'm
,portant for the freedom Of shipping in
future If strongly fortified naval bases
on important international routes, such
as England has at Gibraltar, Malta,
Alden, Hongkong, the Falkland Islands
Would Remove Economic Barriers.
Point three-We, too. are in thorough
accord with the removal of economic
barriers which interfere with trade in
superf1uous manner. We. too. condemn
economic war. which would inevitably
bear within it causes of future warlike
complications.
Point Characterization of arma-
ments: AS already declared by US the
idea Of limitation of armaments Is en-
tirely discussable. The financial posi-
ton Of all European states after the
war might most effectively promote a
hear"). It is therefore clear that an
might be reached with
out difficulty on the first four points of
Mr.. Wilson's program"
Colonial Settlement.
1T now come to the fifth point-settle-
ment Of all colonial claims and disputes.
Practical realization OF Mr.. Wilson'S prtn-.
ciples in the realm Of reality will encoun-
ter some difficulties in any case. / believe
that for the present it may be left for
England, which has the greatest colonial
empire, to make what. she will of this
of her ally. This point of the
program also will have to be discussed in
due time, on the reconstitution of the
worlds colonial possessions, which we
also demand absolutely.
Point s. Evacuation of Russian ter
ritory: Now that the entente has re-
fused within the period agreed upon by
Russia and the quadruple alliances to
join in the negotiations, l must in the
name of the latter decline to allow any
ing here with questions which concern
only Russia and the four allied powers.
l adhere to the hope that with recog-
milton Of self-determination for the
peoples on the western frontier Of the
former Russian empire, good relations
peoples and with the rest Of Russia, for
whom we wish most earnestly a return
of order. peace and conditions guaran-
teeing the welfare of the country.
Point [ :. s.na;- BelgiumEMy I..,es prsdeees, .ss,
at no time did the annexation of Bel
gium to Germany form a point in the
program OF German policy. The Belgian
question belongs to those questions the
details of which are to be settled by
Points Referred To.
TThe four first points in President
VI; fo6 fn o. Of
secret diplomacy. free navigation Of the
seas outside territorial waters, sub
ject to international laws: removal of
economic barriers and establishment of
reduction of ornaments. The fifth
point provided for impartial adjust
ment of all colonial claims. based upon
the principle that the interests of the
concerned must have equal
weight with the claims of the govern
ment whose title is to be determined
The ninth point in the Presidents
speech called for readjustment of the
Italian frontiers along clearly recog-
nizable lines Of nationality: the tenth,
velopment of the peoples Of Austro-
the eleventh for the evacua-
ton of Rumania, Serbia and Montenegro.
free access to the sea for Serbia and
Of the relations among the
Balkan states. with international guar
antees of their independence.
Point twelve In the Presidents ad-
dress declared that the Turkish por-
tions OF the present Ottoman empire
should be assured a secure sovereignty.
but the other nationalties which are
now under Turkish rule sould be as
sured an undoubted security Of life.
and an absolutely unmolested opportu-
nifty of autonomous development The
Dardanelles. the President said, should
be permanently opened rs a free pas
sage to the ships and commerce Of all
nations under international guarantee.
FERRIS QUITS SHIP BOARD