Mexico Missouri message., 1918-01-24

QeunltlOn 10 make IL Clear WHAT BOTI
Of definite terms OF settlement must
necessarily spring out OF them. Within
the last week Mr.. Lloyd George has
spoken with admirable candor and in
admirable spirit for the people ard
government Of Great Britain.
There Is no confusion Of counsel
among the iadversaries Of the central
powers, no uncertainty of principle,
no vagueness OF detail. The only Sc
crecy of counsel, the only lack OF
fearless frankness, the only failure
to make definite statement Of the
objections OF the war lies with Ger
many and her allies.
Crest Issues In Balance.
The issues Of life and death hang
upon these definitions No statesman
who has the least conception of his
responsibility ought for a moment to
permit himself to continue this trag-
ical 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.
There is, moreover, a voice calling
for these definitions of principles and
Of purpose which is, II 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. 1t is the voice Of the
Russian people. They are PROSTATE
and all but helpless, It would seem,
before the grim power of Germany,
which has hitherto known no relent-
ing and no pity. Their power, appar-
emily, Is shattered.
Russians Are Lauded.
And their soul is not subservient.
They wlil not yield either IN prlncIpIe
| or III action. 1neIr conception Ot WAC,
Is right, vi wnat Is humane and hon
oraDIe Tor them TO accept, has beeA
| stated with Irankne5s, u largeness Vi
view, a generosity OF spirit and uni.
versal human sympalny wnIcn mus,
friend VI manKinu; ana Iney nave re
| fused to compound LneIr ideals or de
sert oLhers mat tney themselves may
be safe.
Tney call on US 10 say what it il
| that We uesIre; in what, II anything
our purpose and our spirit dlt1er iron
| theirs. And / believe mat the peOpI,
oil tue United States would wish mt
to respond, with utter simplicity ant
frankness. Whether their present leaI
ers believe it or not, it is our heartfelt
desire that some way may be opened
whereby We may be privileged 10 as
sist the people of Russia 10 attain
their utmost nope OF liberty and Oh
dered peace.
1t wlIl be our wish and purpose tina
the processes of peace, when they ar,
begun, snail be absolutely open an
that they shall involve anu p...
henceIorth no secret understanding
of any kind.
The day of conquest and aggrar
diZement is gone by; SO Is also tn
day of secret covenants entered int
in the interest of particular COVER
ments and likely at some unlooked-fo
moment to upset the peace of tn
world.
Public Diplomacy Necessary.
1t is this happy fact. now clear t
the view Of every public man wnos
thoughts do not still linger in an az
that Is dead and gone, which makes
possible for every nation whose pu
poses are consistent with justice an
the peace of the world to aVow nov
or at no other time, the objects it IL.
in view.
We entered this war because Viol;
tiOns of right had occurred Whic
touched us TO the quick and made tn
life OF our own people impossible III
less they were corrected and the worl
secured once for all against their r,
currence. What we demand in thi
war, therefore, is nothing peculiar
ourselves. 1t Is that the world b
made fit and safe to live in; anu p
ticularly that it be made safe fc
every peace-loving nation which, lik
our own, wishes to live its own lif
determine it's own institutions, be a
sured of justice and fair dealing by ii
other peoples OF the world as again
, force and selfish aggression.
All the peoples of the world are
effect partners in this interest, an
for our own part we see very clear
that unless justice be done to others
will not be done to US. The progra
of the worlds peace. therefore, is ol
program; and that program the on
: possible program as we see it is thii
? The Program of Peace.
l-Open covenants OF peace witho'
private international understanding
, 2-Absolute freedom of the seas
> peace or war except as they may
| oIo.od H., int orfinn