The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1918-03-09
United States Senate to
Debete Peace Terms
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CARELESS of the rights of other peoples
affected thereby; and
Whereas, agreements resulting from
such congresses create or perpetuate
strained conditions, and by countenanc-
ing injustice SOW the seed of later
wars; and
Whereas, the readjustment to be
brought about is therefore of vital i'm
portance to each nationality and
people; and
Whereas peace conferences of the
past have ignored the claims of small
and subject nationalities by denying
and by allowing their fate to be de-
cided by Indifferent, biased, or hostile
parties; and
Whereas the declared purpose of the
present war is to preserve and extend
democracy among the nations of the
world, most of the belligerents having
repeatedly stated that this war is be-
ing fought in the defense of the rights
and integrity of smaller nations; and
Whereas, the exclusion of any small
or subject nation from participating in
the conference held to establish world
democracy and conclusive peace would
be contrary to the import of the above
declarations, and such exclusion is GER
tain to result in the ignoring of their
rights and interests, as has been the
case in all past conferences; and
Whereas, to deny to any people ad-
mission into the commonwealth OF ma
lions would be an offence to the moral
sense of mankind: therefore, be it
Resolved 0) That it is indispens-
able to the future permanent peace OF
the world that the national, political,
and economic rights of small and sub
iect nationalities be restored and con-
ceded
CD That if the coming peace is not
to be illusory it must be inspired by
justice alone and not by strategic con-
sideration of the selfish, economic In
terests of the few strong powers; that
the terms of peace should exclude all
provisions which give any nation an
advantage, privilege, or concession not
equally shared in by other nations, and
that hereafter when outside assistance
is required by any country for the de-
velopment of it's potentialities, the op-
portunity to share in this development
shall be free and open to all other
countries on equal terms.
Small Nations and the Peace
Conference.
60 That the right of each small
and subject nationality to separate de-
Lucrative representation at the peace
conference be recognized, and that it's
case and interest be discussed and de-
termined in open, public session.
"a That the nations that have de.
clared themselves champions OF world
democracy and of the liberties OF small
and subject nations make their posi-
ton clear to the world by pledging
themselves to favor the admission OF
separate deliberative representatives
of all nationalities into the peace con-
ference
60 That in no case should any one
be disturbed because of race, language,
or religion, nor on. that account be
subjected to intolerant treatment; that
every one has a right to civil equality.
to liberty of conscience and religion,
to the free use of his language, and the
pursuit of happiness.
co That the repatriation of all per-
sons exiled or forcibly removed from
their homes for whatever alleged rea-
son, is the first obligation of the power
Immediately responsible therefor.
CD That complete restitution
should be made by such power for all
private property destroyed, and full
reparation for all damage done, and
that this should be guaranteed by the
powers Immediately responsible there
for.
Secret Diplomacy Must Go.
(S) That secret diplomacy, one OF
the traditions of autocratic and per-
sonal governments, the chief weapon
of despotism and the most prolific
source of the worlds disturbance, is
also the one indispensable instrument
for the oppression of small nationali-
ties that it has and can have no place
in a democratic world, and should be
rejected and discarded by all civilized
nations.
MAD D0l INV