Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-06-02
RUSSIA OFF SLATE,
SAYS Mr.. ASQUlTH


hero the bulk Of us look forward as
the only enectual safeguard not merely
against war, but against international
spoliation and brigandage.- Such are
his pretensions. but Ct the very time
that he was speaking his subordnstes
were writing out the terms. not Of
treaty, Int OF a capitulation as harsh
upon the one side and as humiliatine
10 the other as any to be found In the
annals of history. One hardly knows
which to be mo:o surprised at-the
cynicism which could impose such con-
ditions or the credulity which could
peiiefe that they or anything like
them could ever form the basis Of a
permanent settlement. They authorize
Germany. In effect, to retain as pawns
and hostages as much OF Russia's
european territory as can be snatched
by force or by intimidatio from
paralyzed and distracted spokesman.
and On the shore Of tho Black Sea and
III the Caucasus. districts which have
oeen Tor forty years emancipated are
10 be handed back (for no one VIII be
taken In by the clumsy insincerity of
Nthe reference In this connection to the
wishes OF the populations concerned) to
snare once again with Armenia the
horrors and desolation OF Turkish rule.
Can any one doubt who reads this
document what a German victory in
the war would mean for Europe and
for the world?
To take one example only. what
would be the fate of Belgium IL Ger
many were ever able TO dictate to the
western powers after the pattern seen
at Brest?
IL Is not by such roads as these that
what lately, called a clean peace can
NC attained This so-called peace
treaty at Brest is everything that an
International compact ought not TO be-
10 eNtorted by mcnaces from un-
willing men who are themselves des,i
tute OF authority to bind the Russian
people 1t ruthlessly and recklessly
initiates what has been for centuries a
great national unity. Its aim Is TO
aggrandize the conoueror and hix al.
lies at the expense OF the vanquished.
without any regard, except the hoI.
lowest lip-service. to the interests or
wishes OF the populations Transferred
and wherever carried Into effect would
SOW seeds OF controversies and con-
hicts. internecine and international.
that would embroil the nations for
generations TO come
1t Is incredible that such a mode NJ
terminating hostilities should commend
user TO the Judgment or conscience
Oh civilized people. i bolieve that e
requires. so far az Germany lis con-
cerned. to be ratified by the Relchstap
on whose records there still remains
presume. the famous resolution OF
ias' July Whatever history may have
10 say as TO the origin OF the war.
inc peace TO which we look forward
me only peace worth having, the onlv
cream peace. must be peace not OF
rulers or Parliaments. but of peoples
FORMER PREMIER
STATES ALLIES, AIMS
There are. as have had occasion TO
say before, number Of questions thu,
rust OF necess;;" be left over 70. n,a1
decision to the arh!tral authority of
-" '"nterence which. as we hope. Will
i''" the germ ana even perhaps tho
first embodiment OF the league OF NJ.
lions. $50
So far as know. there is no terri
'''ai ACQUISITION which we In this
Country nave made by or through the
var "hich we should not be ready to
submit to the judgment Of such
tribunal.
TERMS WHICH MUST
OF
hu'' at the same time. 1 repeat my
e"'fe agreement with President Will
son as 10 the interdependence-J might
"''"os' say the solidarity-of the fun
damental problems Of peace You can
Eot deal with them after what seem.
TO me Count Hertling's chosen methods
DIS 'hougn they were the leaves OF an
artichoke to be pluckad OF and dispose5
Tree and spontaneous self-dcyeloDno,t
Tor peoples small or great saferu.rd,l
by adequate and appropriate machinery
against wanton infringement Of inter
national right-these must form m.
basis OF any peace
The one thing, 1t seems to me ~ y.
now OF paramount Importance in tho
best interests OF the world is that ~
peoples With whom in the long ri, ~
issue rests should be brought to under
stand-au the peoples should To
brought 10 understand-that. so far az
'he a!iies arc concerned we have ope
ana only one, governing end. To uh,.h
everything else Is subordinate-to huild
up upon that foundation the fabric 80
future world
what we have got 10 do is 90 49,.
iac's in the race. not to minimize dan.
gers not to underrate risks. NOT 20
oVerrate IN spirit OF uncalcuIat,ne
and sanguine hopefulness DIR on,s
prowess and our own resources Az
these are necessary Cautions which T
mink II is not inopportune PERHAPS |
now and again to impress unon a.
people OF our country. There :,
thing we must never do and that 9.
despair Of our cause 90 W
The sky is sometimes bright ana .. :.
sometimes clouded. but what All.
with conhdeace. as 1t has from ~
hrst moment war was declar<d-and
nave never abated by one lot A. ~.
single moment that faith and baI,.,
lis the knowledge that we have IN,
on our side those great spiritual force.
"h'ch are above and beyond niater,al
power anhough they need materia,
power-don't doubt that they nead ~,
the material Dover W. rio Z. -