The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-01-08

righted, in order that peace may
once more be made secure in the in-
terest Of all.
"LX-A readjustment Of the from
tiers Of Italy should be effected along
clearly recognizable lines OF nation
ality.
"x-The peoples Of Austria Hun
gary, whose place among the nations
we wish to see safeguarded and as
sured, SHOULD be accorded the freest
opportunity Of autUnomlous develop
ment.
"XI-Rumanla, Serbia and Nom
tenegro should be evacuated, OcBu~
pied territories restored; Serbia ac-
corded free and secure access to the
sea; and the relations of the several
Balkan states to one another deter
mined by friendly counsel along his
torically established lines OF alleg-
lance and nationality; and interna-
tional guarantees Of the political and
economic independence and terrltor-
ial integrity OF tht several Balkan
states should be entered into.
"XII-The Turkish portions Of the
present Ottoman empire should be
assured a secure sovereignty, but the
other nationalities which are now
under Turkish rule should be asstir-
ed an undoubted security Of life and
an absolutely unmolested opportun-
ity Of autonomous development, and
the Dardaneiles should be perman-
entity opened as a free passage to the
ships and commerce Of all nations
under international guarantees.
'xII-An Independent Polish state
should be erected which should in
a. hn FfV
indisputable Polish populations,
which should be assured a free and
secure access to the sea, and whose
political and economic Independence
and territorial integrity should be
guaranteed by international c0ven-
ant.
'xIV-A general association Of na-
tons must be formed under specific
covenants for the purpose Of afford
ing mutual guarantees Of political
independence and territorial integrity
to great and small states, alike.
ain regard 70 these essential
rectifieatiohs Of wrong and as
sertions Of right we feel our
selves to be intimate partners OF
all the governments and peoples
associated together against the
inpsriaIists. We cannot be
separated in interest or divided
in purpose. We stand together
until the end. For such arrange
ments and covenants we are
wiIIinu TO faint 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 provoeations 10 war, which
this program does remove.
1--WE have no jealousy Of Ger
man greatness and there 10
nothing in this program that
impairs It. We grudge her no
achievement or distinction OF
such as have made her record
very bright and very enViabIe.
We do not wish TO injure her or
to block in any way her lsuti-
mate influence or power. We
do not wish to fight her either
with arms or with hostile ar
ranqernents Of trade, IL she 10
WILLING to associate herself with
US and the other peace loving
nations of the world in covenants
Of Justice and law and fair deal
ing. We wish her only to accept
place of equality among the
peoples of the world - the new
world in which we now IiVe-in-
stead of place Of mastery.
Neither do we presume to suggest
to her any alteration or modification
Of her institutions. But ii is neces-
sary, we must frankly say, and nee
essary as a preliminary to any In
telligent dealings with her on our
part, that we should know whom her
spokesmen speak for when they
speak to us, whether for the reich
stag majority or for the military
party, and the men whose creed is
imperial domination.
VIII Fight To End For u.
''We have spoken now, surely, in
terms too concrete to admit of any
further doubt or question. An evil
ient principle runs through the
whole program have outlined. 1t
IS the principle Of justice to all peo-
Pies and nationalities. and their right |
% live on equal terms Of liberty and |
safety with one another, whether |
hey. be strong or weak. Unless this |
be made its foundation no |
,art Of the structure Of international |
Justice can stand. The people. of the |
United States could act upon no 9TH |
n principle, and to the vindication |
If this principle they are ready to |
levote their lives, their honor and |
everything that they possess. The |
moral climax of this, the culminat-
ng and final war for human liberty |
las come, and they are ready to put |
heir strength, their own highest
purpose, their own integrity and de-
often to the test.