Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1918-02-15

probably have gone much farther had
not been for the embarrassmenis OF
Austrias alliances and Of her depend
ence upon Germany
The Test, After Al.
After all, the test OF whether it is
possible for either government to go
any further in this comparison OF
views is simple and obvious The
principles TO be applied are these:
First That each part of the final
settlement must be based upon he es-
sential justice Of that particular case
and upon such adjustments as are
most likely TO bring peace that will
be permanent
Second That peoples and provinces
are not TO be bartered about from
sovereignty 10 sovereignty as II they
were mere chattels and pawns IN a
game. even the great game. now for
ever discredited. Of the balance of
power; but that,
a.
involved in the war must be made In
the interest and for the benefit Of the
populations concerned and not as
part of any mere adjustment or com
promise Of claims amongst rival
states; and
Fourth That all well defined ma
tional aspirations shall be accorded
the utmost satisfaction that can be
accorded them without introducing
new or perpetuatng old elements of
discord and antagonism that would
be likely In time to breake the peace
Of Europe and consequently OF the
world.
\ general peace erected upon such
foundations can be discussed Until
such a peace can be secured we have
no choice but to go on. So far as we
can Judge, these principles that we re-
gard as fundamental are already every
where accepted as imperative except
among the sopkesmen Of the military
and annexationist party in Germany
II they have anywhere else been re-
jeceed the DIRECTORS have not been
sufficiently numerous or influential 10
make their voices audible The tragi-
cal circumstances Is that this one par
ty In Germany is apparently willing
and able TO send millions of men to
their death to prevent what all the
world now sees to be just
No Change Of Course.
would not be true spokesman Of
the people Of the United States II
did not say once more that we enter
cd this war upon no small occasion,
and that we can never turn back from
course chosen upon principle Our
resources are in part modified now,
and we shall not pause until they are
modified in their entirety. Our ar
mics are rapidly going to the fighting
front and will go more and more rap
idlv. Our whole strength will be put
into this war OF emanciation eman.
cipation from the threat and attempted
mastery OF selfish groups Of autocratic
rulers whatever the difficulties and
present part al delays. We are in
dom'table in our over of independ-
ant action and can in no circumstances
consent to live in a world governed by
intrigue and force. We believe that
our own desire for a new international
order under which reason and Justice
end the common interests OF mankind
shall prevail is the desire of enlighten-
cd men everywhere. Without that new
order the world will be without peace
md human life will lack tolerable con-
ditions OF existence and development.
Having set our hand to the task ot
achieving It, we shall not turn back.
| hope that is not necessary for
me to add that no word of what |
have said is intended as threat. That
is not the temper okour people have
spoken thus only that the whole world
may know the true spirit of America
that men everywhere may know that
our passion for justice and for self
government Is no mere passion OF
words, but a passion which once set
In action, must be satisfied. The power
Of the United States Is menace TO no
nation or people. II will never be uesd
in aggression of for the aggrandize-
ment of any selfish interest OF our
own. 1t springs out Of freedom and