Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-01-11
Text Of Wilson's Speech

more be made secure in the inter-
est of all.
9. A readjuStment of the frontiers
of Italy should be effected along
clearly recognizable lines of ma
tionality.
10. The peoples OF Austria-Hun-
gary, whose place among the ma
tons we wish to see safeguarded
and assured should be accorded the
freest opportunity of autonomous
development.
Free Access to Sea
1l--Rumania, Serbia and Monte
negro should be evacuated; occupied
territories restored; Serbia accord
ed free and secure access to the
sea: and the relations of the sew
eral Balkan states to one and an
other determined by friendly coun-
sci along historically established
lines of allegiance and nationality;
and international guarantee of the
political and economic independence
and territorial integrity of the sew
eral Balkan states should be en-
tered into.
1.-THE Turkish portions of the
present Ottoman empire should be
assured secure sovereignty, but
the other nationalities which are
now under Turkish rule should be
assured an undoubted security Of
life and an absolutely unmolested
opportunity of autonomous develop
ment, and the Dardanelles should be
permanently opened as a free pass
age to the ships and commerce of
all nations under international
guarantees.
Ian Independent Polish state
should be erected which should in
clude the territories inha bited by
indisputably Polish populations,
which should be assured free and
secure access to the sea and whose
political and economic and independ-
ence and territorial integrity should
be guaranteed by international cove
nant.
IA general assertion of ma
tions must be formed under specific
covenants the purpose of affording
mutual guarantees of political in
dependence and territorial integrity
to great and small states alike.
Have Mo Jealousy
In regard to these essential rectifi-
cations of wrong and assertions of
right we feel ourselves to be init
mate partners of all the govern
ments and the peoples associated to-
gether against the imperialists. We
cannot be separated in interest or
divided in purpose. We stand to-
gether until the end.
For such arrangements and cove
nants we are willing to fight and
continue to fight, until they are
achieved; but only because we wish
the right to prevail and desire a
just and stable peace such as can be
secured only by removing the chief
provocations, to war, which this pro-
gram does remove. We have no
jealousy Of German greatness and
|. there is nothing in this program that
impairs it, We grudge her no
achievement or distinction of learn
ing or of pacific enterprise such as
have made her record very bright
and very enviable. We do not wish
to injure her and block in any way
her legitimate influence or power.
We do not wish to fight her either
with arms or with hostile arrange
ments of trade if she is willing to
associate herself with us and the
other peace-loving nations of the
world in covenants of justice and
law and fair dealing. We wish her
only to accept a place of equality
among the peoples of the world--the
new world in which we now live
instead of a place of mastery.
Must Know Spokesman
Neither do we presume to suggest
to her any alteration or modifica-
ton of her institutions. But it is
necessary, we must frankly say, and
necessary as a preliminary to any
intelligent dealings with her on
our part, that we should know whom
her spokesman speak for when they
speak to us, whether reichStag ma
jority or for the military party and
the men whose creed is imperial
domination.
We have spoken now. surely in
terms too concrete to admit of any
further doubt or question. An evil
dent principle runs through the
whole program l have outlined. 1t
is the principle of justice to all
peoples and nationalities and their
right to 1--we on equal terms of
liberty and safety with one an
other whether he be strong or
weak. Unless this principle be made
its foundation no part of the struc-
ture of international justice can
stand. The people of the United
States could act upon no other prin-
ciple and to the vindication of this
principle they are ready to devote
their lives. their honor, and every
thing that they possess. The moral
climax of this, the eliminating and
final war for human liberty has
come, and they are ready to put
their own strength, their own high
est purpose, their own integrity and
Nn fIo