The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1918-01-18


key and Of the Balkan States which
have eelt obliged to become their asso-
ciates in this war? The Russian rep
| resentatives have insisted, very justly,
very wisely and in the true spirit Of
modern democracy that the conferences
they have been holding with the Teu-
tonic and Turkish states-Hen should be
held within open, not closed, doors.
and all the world has |been audience
as was desired. To WHOM have we been
listening, then?
To those who speak the spirit and
intention of the resolutions of the Ger
man Reichstag OF the ninth Of July
Last, the spirit and intention of the
Liberal leaders and parties Of Germany.
or those who resistant defy that spirit
and intention and insist upon conquest
and subjugation? Or are we iistening.
in fact, to both, unreconciled and in
open and hopeless contradiction?
These are very serious and pregnant
questions. Upon the answer to them
depends the peace of the world.
But whatever the results of the par
legs at Brest-Litovsk, whatever the con-
fusion Of counsel and Of purpose in the
utterances Of the spokesman Of the Cen
trail Empires, they have again attempt
ed to acquaint the world with their
objects In the war and have again chal-
Ienged their adversaries to say what
their objects are and what sort of set
Element they would deem just and sat-
isfactory.
There is no good reason why that
challenge should not be responded to
and responded to with the utmost can
dor. We did not wait for 1t. 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 definitive
terms OF settlement must necessarily
spring out of them.
Within the last week Mr.. Lloyd
George has spoken with admirable can
dor and in admirable spirit for the peo-
pie and Government Of Great Britain.
There is no confusion Of counsel among
the adversaries Of the Central Powers,
no uncertainty Of principle, no vague
ness Of detail. The only secrecy of
counsel, the only lack of fearless frank
ness. the only failure to make definite
statement Of the objects Of the war
I lie with Germany and her allies. The
issues Of life and death hang upon
these definitions No statesman who
has the least conception Of his respon-
sibiiity ought for moment to permit
himself to continue this tragical and
appalling outpouring Of blood and treas
ure unless he is sure beyond perad-
venture 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 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 filed. 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 relenting
and no pity. Their power, apparently,
is shattered. And yet their soul is not
subservient.
They will not yield either in prin-
ciple or in action. Their conception
Of what is right, Of what is humane
and honorable for them to accept, has
been stated with frankness, a large
ness of view, a generosity of spirit and
universal human sympathy which
must challenge the admiration of every
friend of mankind; and they have re-
fused to compound their ideals or de-
sert others that they themselves may
be safe.
They call to us to say what 1t is
that we desire, in what, if in anything.
our purpose and our spirit differ from
| theirs; and believe that the people
Of the United States would wish me
to respond with utter simplicity and
frankness. Whether their present
| leaders believe it or not it is our heart
felt desire and hope that some way may
be opened whereby we may be privi-
legged to assist the people of Russia
to attain their utmost hope of liberty
and ordered peace.
j 1t will be our wish and purpose that
the processes of peace, when they are
begun, shall be absolutely open and that
they shall involve and permit hence
! forth no secret understandings OF any
kind. The day of conquest and aggran-
dize1hent is gone by so; SO is also the
day Of secret covenants entered into in
/ the interest OF particular Governments
and likely at some unlooked-for mo-
menti to upset the peace of the world.
It Is this happy fact, now clear to