The Bismarck tribune., 1918-10-07
President Wilson's
Basis for Peace

Basis for Peace
In substance, the basis of a just
peace, as outlined by President Wilson
in his II principles of January 8, his
four principles of February II and
his speech of Sept. q, was as fol-
lows:
ONE-Covenants Of peace must be
reached in the open. No more secret
diplomacy.
TWO-Absolute freedom of the seas
in peace and war.
THREE-Eliminatio of economic
barriers among all nations associated
to maintain peace.
FOUR-Guarantees Of armament re-
with domestic safety.
FIVE-Adjustment Of all colonial
claims impartially, based on the rights
Of the people concerned.
SIX--'Evacuation of Russia, with
complete freedom for Russia to shape
her own government and destiny as
she wishes.
SEVEN-'Evacuation and restora-
ton OF Belgium, with her complete
sovereignty guaranteed by all.
EIGHT-Evacuation Of French terri
tory and the righting Of the wrong
done when Germany seized Aisace-
Lorraine in 1871. ~.
--NINE-~Re cad jussRsnt OF the Italian
Austrian frontier on clear basis OF the
lines of nationality.
TEN-Free opportunity for the au-
tonomous development OF the various
ma nationalities in Austro- Hungary.
ELEVEN-EvacuatiO and the res
toration of Serbia, Rumania and Mon
tenegro, with guarantees for the free
dom of all Balkan states.
TWELVE Sovereignty for the
Turkish portion of the Ottoman EN-
<pire. with autonomy for other nation.
alities now under Turkish rule.
THIRTEEN - Independence for a
united Poland, with an outlet to the
sea-
FOURTEEN-An association of the
nations for mutual guarantees Of in.
dependence and territodial integrity
for all nations, large and small alike.
THE FOUR PRINCIPLES.
First-Each part OF the final settle
ment must be mased upon essential
Justice of that particular case and adj
justments likely to bring permanent
peace.
Second--Peoples and provinces
must not be bartered about from SOW
ereignty to sovereignty as mere chat
tells and paWns in a game, now for
ever discredited, of the balance OF
power.
Third-Every territorial settlement
must be made in the interest of the
populations concerned and not as a
compromise of claims among rival
states.
F'ourth-All well defined national
aspirations shall be accorded the ut
most satisfaction that can be accord
ed them, without introducing new or
perpetuating old elements of discord
likely to break the peace of the world
THE LATEST ANSWER.
In his New York speech ofcSept ~.
President Wilson reiterated much OF
the above principles. gave a distinct
warning to the allied nations that Sc
revenve after the war must be scrap.
ped and answered Austria's proposal
for secret discussion of peace terms
in these words:
I'VE are all aware there can be no
peace obtained by any kind OF bar
gain or compromise with the govern
ments of the central empires. because
we have dealt with them already and
have seen them deal with other gov
that were parties to this
struggle. at BrestLitovsk and Buchar-
est );
"They have convinced us that they
are without honor and do not intend
Justice. They observe no covenants.
accept no principles. but force and
their own interest.
"We cannot come to terms with
them. They have made it impossible.
The German people must by this time
be fully aware that we cannot accept
the word of those who forced this war
lpon us. We do not think the same
thoughts or speak the language OF
agreem ent." @-tg g..