Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1918-11-14
MEMBER OF THE ASSOCIATED
PRESS
THURSDAY. NOVEMBER IA. 1918
THOSE FOURTEEN PEACE POINTS

The Germans are trying to have the
peace conference called at once. so as
to avoid complying with all the terms
CT the armistice. They want discus
sion of the fourteen peace conditions
laid down by the president to begin
as quickly as possible.
The vague and tentative character
of the fourteen points of Jan. s, &C
cepted by Germany and Austria as a
basis for peace is illustrated by the
changes and explanations they are
undergoing
The president himself withdrew
clause ten which proposed the pres
ervation Of Austria Hungary, with
free opportunity for autonomous de-
velopment, in his note of Oct 10 to
Austria Hungary, he pointed out that
the recognition of Czecho-Slovak bel
ligerency and of Jugo- Slavic claims
altered the circumstances and made
it necessary to submit the future of
the dual monarchy to the decision Of
it's constituent peoples.
Clause three, which proposes re-
moval of all economic barriers and
establishment of equality of trade
conditions among the nations is so
vague that it not unnaturally has
been construed as an attempt to COM
nit the United states by treaty TO
free trade.
The president, just before election,
disavowed this Interpretation, and de-
clared what he meant was a policy OF
equal treatment in trade to every na-
tion by each nation. The clause, how
ever remains idoalistic and needs
definition.
When the allies transmitted their
reply TO Germany's request for an
armistice and It peace based on the
presidents fourteen conditions, they
found it necessary to qualify two
more of the clauses. The clause de-
claring in favor of absolute freedom
of the seas in peace or war, except
as they may be closed by interna-
tional action for the enforcement OF
international covenants" was reject
cd Inv the allies on the ground that
it's phraseology is so indefinite that
the whole matter must be left to the
conference.
When the president declared in IA
vor of freedom of the seas the journal
pointed out that the position was not
feasible in time of peace there mas
been complete freedom of he seas
for one hundred years. In time OF
war there can be no freedom of the
seas. in the sense the president meant.
Had there been such freedom Of the
seas during the present war, Germany
would have won and the world would
be at the kaiser's feet today.
The allies also refused to accept on
ito face the clause regarding the eVac-
nation of Belgium and France by ''eH
many. Instead of the vague nt;er'
ance by the president, the allies stated
that Germany must make "compeh-
sation for all damage done the clV''-
ian population of the allies and thelr
property by The aggression OF Ger
many by land, by sea and from theI
air."
Thus it will be seen that the Tour
teen points will play no part IN the
neace discussion except as proaa
basis for discussion. The intertpre-
tations placed on these conditions oy
the allies will be imposed on Ger
many. with no consideration Cor herr
wishes, but with the stern determnia-
ton to see justice done and to make
future wars as nearly impossible as
can be humanity done.
Germany will not be allowed toI
win by diplomacy what she has vain
~ sought to win BY her sword. NorI
will idealistic altruism Of any other
form of sentimentaiism ever il 1t
hear an American label, be suffered
to release Germany from the full con-
sequences of her crimes.