Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1918-09-20
WHEN THE PEACE CONFERENCE
COMES WHO SHOULD REP
RESENT US?

Congressman Campbell, from this
district made q ten minute speech in
the House last Friday on the recent
peace feeler sent out by Germany. He
very clearly expressed the sentiments
of his constituents. The following is
taken from the Congressional Record:
Mr.. CAMPBELL of Kansas. Mr..
Chairman, the German vice chancellor
in his Stuttgart speech yesterday
made q plea for peace without victory
and without indemnities. He also
urged that the peace be negotiated be-
fore the allied armies reach German
soil. There can be no such peace.
(Applause.) Peace must follow vic
tory that is so complete that no gov
eminent or people will ever again con-
template the conquest of the world.
(Applause.)
Nothing in the progress Of human
history has ever been Of such moment
to mankind as complete military vic
tory by the allied armies over the
armies under the outlaw Government
of Germany, and this victory should
and shall be won on the German side
of the Rhine. (Applause.) Prussian
autocracy, the outlaw Government
that now disgraces civilization, must
be destroyed upon the soil that bears
the shame of its birth and punishment
imposed and indemnity required that
is suited to all its crimes against hui
manity.
This work now presses forward and
gives glorious promise Of immense &C.
complishment. Our military and nav
al forces are doing their part Of the
work; shells are reaching German soil;
our soldiers are on their way to Ber-
lin: (Applause.) When the military
victory that is now in sight is COM
plete, then the round table.
And it is not inopportune to say
that the most important international
matters that have ever been the sub
ject of parley or engaged the attention
of nations and international statesmen
will be considered at the peace confer
ence at the close of the war. The al
lies, as victors, will award the honors,
assess the damages, and apportion the
benefits of the most stupendous war
in the history of civilization. Cues
tions affecting for centuries the well
fare of the nations involved and Of all
mankind will be considered and set
tied there.
It is in no sense disparaging to 9TH
er nations to say that our own country
will have large interests to conserve
at that conference. In our case the
welfare of 100000 of people and
of their posterity for centuries is in
volved. A great estate is affected.
The work, therefore, Of preparing Tor
the peace table becomes important,
whether the victory shall be this year,
next year, or the year after. Who shall
sit at that table for us?-. It will be
no place for mediocrity or inexperi-
ence. The most accomplished interna-
tional statesman today living in Eur
one and Asia will be seated there as
the representatives of governments
participating in the war. There can
be no improperly in now suggesting
that the ablest and most experienced
men in our Republic be asked by the
President to hold themselves in readi-
ness and to prepare themselves for
that stupendOus task. In this con-
nection / would like to see our living
ex-Presidents, the Chief Justice Of our
Supreme Court, our Secretary OF
State, our former living ambassador
who have served in European and
Asiatic courts with rare distinction
and great ability, and the chairnen
and ranking members Of the Commit
tees on Foreign Affairs in both House
and Senate all members Of that great
commission. The commission should
also include at least two membere
each, representing business, labor and
finance. -, -.
The men have suggested would
make the members Of the American
commission the equals in high 1u'olr
of ability and in international repu-,
tation Of the members Of any. other
nation participating in the settlements
of the greatest questions that have
engaged the minds Of international
stHteSmen in all the annals OF time.
The American people would feel q
aenaa a aecurity II such q commission
az 40 been suggested was assured as
the -repfeseitnfives Of this eroat Re
public IN that great eoufersne& ZAP.
Planss)