New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1918-01-12
cryTIES WAR
llTA lNST GERMANY
Ready to Meet Peace Issue.

ever the confusions of counsel and
Of purpose in the utterances OF
the spokesman Of the central en-
pires they have again attempted
| to acquaint the world with their
objects in the war and have again
challenged their adversaries to
say what their objects are and
what sort of settlement they
would deem just and satisfac-
tory. There is no good reason
why that challenge should not be
responded to, and responded to
with the utmost candor.
eve did not wait for it. Not
once but again and again, we
have laid our whole thought and
purpose before the world, not in
general terms only, but each time
with sufficient definition to make
it clear what sort Of definite terms
of settlement must necessarily
spring out Of them. Within the
last week Mr.. Llyod George has
spoon with admirable candor and
in admirable spirit for the people
and government Of Great Britain.
No Confusion Among
the Nations.
"There is no confusion of
counsel among the adversaries of
the central powers, no uncer-
tainty Of principles. no vagueness
of detail. The only secrecy of
counsel. the only lack Of fearless
frankness, the only failure to
make definite statement Of the OBJ
jects of the war, lies with Ger
many and her allies The issues
of life and death hang upon these
definitions.
"Nos statesman who has the
least conception of his response
bility ought for moment to per-
NIT himself to continue this trag-
zeal and appalling outpouring of
blood and treasure unless he is
sure beyond a peradventure that
the objects Of the vital sacrifice
are part and parcel of the very
life of society, and that the people
for whom he speaks think them
right and imperative as he does.
Russia's Case Calls
For Declaration.
There is, moreover, vote
calling for these definitions Of
principle and Of purpose which is.
it seems to me, more thrilling and
more compelling than any of the
many moving voices with which
the troubled air of the world is
filled. It is the voice Of the Rus
sian people. They are PROSTATE
and all but helpless, it would
seem, before the grim power of
Germany, which has hitherto
known no relenting and no pity.
"Their power, apparently, isl
shattered. And yet their soul is
not subservient. They will not
yield either in principle or in ac-
ton Their conception of what
is right, of what it is humane and
honorable for them to accept, has
been stated with frankness. al
Of view. a generosity Of
spirit, and a universal human
sympathy which must challenge
the admiration of every friend Of
mankind; and they have refused
to compound their ideals or desert
others that they themselves may
be safe. They call to us to say
what it is that we desire, in what, I
if In anything, our purpose and
our spirit differ from theirs; and
I believe that the people Of the|
United States would wish me to re-
spond, with utter simplicity and
frankness. Whether their present
leaders believe it or not. it is our
heartfelt desire and hope that
some way may be opened whereby
we may be privileged to assist the
people Of Russia to attain their /
utmost hope of liberty and ordered
peace.
Enough Of "secret
Understandings.
ut will be our wish and pur-
pose that the processes Of peac.
when they are begun. shall be alb
open and that they shall
involve and permit henceforth no
secret understandings Of any
kind, The day Of conquest and
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT is gone by; so s
also the day Of secret covenants
entered into IN the interest Of par.