Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-12-14
US. MORAL FORCE
MEANS JUST PEACE
American Ideals, ExempIified
by Mr.. Wilson, Guarantee
UnseIfish Settlement.
NO SESSIONS THIS MONTH
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

Copyright. 1918. by N. 7. Evening Post. Incl
PARIS, December 14.-When Presi-
dent Wilson touched the soil Of France
it could be said that he touched the
soul of France. He is spiritual influ-
ence which the peoples Of Europe have
exalted, and he is admittedly the most
powerful factor in making peace.
After examining all the elements in
the situation, including those which
are ready to forget the sacrifices that
have been made and to go back to the
old order Of things that breeds more
war, as well as those which look upon
the decisions of Wilson as ancient
people looked on those of Solomon.
and especially the common folk and
plain people, there can be no doubt
in the mind Of any American that
just as the United States sent France
the physical force that fought along
side the brave French and British
troops In the allied armies and navies,
turning the tide of victory, so Amer
lea has sent to those nations her
greatest moral force to turn the
scales in favor Of a righteous peace.
Allies Conscience Must Guide.
It isn't a question Of obtaining for
Germany advantages or even an equal
voice in the peace conference, for Ger
many must accept a dictated peace,
but it is question of the conscience
of the allied nations not permitting
hnv Ca1E fo hot ri l,% ar 10
peace can be based only on the prac-
tical application of principles already
laid down and accepted by all the bel
ligerents.
After talking with many of the
principal persons who will have in
their hands the shaping of the course
of the peace conference, I would sum-
Notwithstanding differences in
and at times Of desire. the
allies are going eventually to get
together; Col. House. following close
ly the instructions of the President.
has been expressing the viewpoint of
though the terms of the armistice
follow in some cases the provisions
Of famous secret treaties, also the
pact Of London, the allied govern
ments are pledged in the final analy-
sis to make peace along the lines OF
French already have agreed to re-
turn the Rheinish provinces. and the
present italian fine is open to discus
sion, with every indication that the
Slavic peoples will be given an out
let on the Adriatic; in the flush Of
governments will unquestion-
ably wish to retain much more than
was originally asked. but the spirit
Of the people everywhere makes i'm
possible a deviation from pledges. so
that it may be considered definite
that territorial lines will follow
closely the principles laid down in
the fourteen points OF President wilson
Start First Week in January.
1T will be difficult to get down to
business before the first week in jan
uary. David Lloyd George. the Brit
ish premier, and Arthur J. Balfour.
the foreign secretary. are at the mo-
ment busy with rehabilitation prob
lens in England. but will be here the
last week Of December. The King of
Italy and Premier Orlando are COM
ing at the same time, SO that instead
of Mr. Wilson's going to Rome. the
heads of the principal countries in
volved will sit down to discuss every
thing informally. laying the founda-
tion for an agreement among the al
lies, after which they will open the
formal peace conference with repre-
Of Germany present Presi-
dent Wilson probably will attend tho
opening session, make a speech. keep
in touch with the proceedings for a
few sessions. and then go back to
America, leaving the conference to
arrange the details. II any moro fun
damental questions arise. Mr.. Wilson
will return to Europe about May or June
for final action.
The President himself works fast,
but Europeans believe much in social
SO the rest of the
that sort of thing. The President
must take some part in social func-
tions also, but he is less interested in
that feature than are his colleagues.
Any one who supposes that Mr.. Will
son was persuaded to come to Europe
sense of vanity or expec-
tation Of public manifestations is Sc
riously mistaken. Undoubtedly the
given would be flatterfng to
any man, and Mr.. Wilson is no ex-
ception, but fanatical outbursts Of joy,
the public's tribute. are only of few
days duration, and 1t is the practical
business Of the peace conference that
requires the presence of Mr.. Wilson.
Traditions Inspire Delegates.
Whatever the mistakes Of the Presi-
dent at home. whatever his errors in
judgment. particularly his failure to
appoint conspicuous republicans. new
ertheless this atmosphere is such that
every man with American blood in his
veins feels that what is here is not
the man Wilson, but the spirit of
America, the spirit that freed Cuba,
that emanctpated the black race. that
fought the war Of 1872, that gave the
world the Declaration Of Independ-
ence. It is this which is incarnated in
sisting that the settlement must not
follow selfish interests, but principles
and pledges already given.
Because certain interests recognize
that behind President Wilson Is Ameri-
can public opinion, they are making
assiduous attempts to prove that the
last election meant the reputation by
America Of all Of the fourteen points,
and saying that Col. Roosevelt is right
In declaring that President Wilson does
not represent America. But while thers
Is this distinct effort to weaken Mr.
Wilson'S power. one must not lose per-
spective and believe the effort Will be
successful, or that 1t truly represents
the French or British people. Rather
does it represent the pressure of certain
business interests upon the foreign Of
fees Of Europe. SO Americans Of every
political party should be particularly
careful at this time not to furnish am
munition for these elements.
Statements such as that made by
Mann, the republican
leader, produced a favorable impress
sion here, and what Is needed Is more
like them. Even Col. Roosevelt could
do no better service to his country at
this time than to Join with other
Americans in saying that
as America was united in war, so she
IL united In making q peace upon the
principles Of American democracy. and