The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-09-28
The President's Vision OF q New
World.

ton OF tnat response us n"ttei
Of course is the most impressive and
effective appeal that could possibly
be made to Americans.
What the President did last night,
on an occasion that will be historic,
was to state again the principles and
issues for which our boys are fighting
to-day in France; and this statement
is distinguished by greater clarity Of
phrase, and by broader, fuller per-
ceptlon of the significances of 1t all,
than in any of his previous utter
ances; and this is true notwith-
standing his studied abstention from
any attempt to apply specifically and
geographically the principles which
he has made so clear to the popular
apprehension.
The five war aims, or issues, in
Guided in this latest definition Of the
American purpose are these:
I. Shall the military power Of any ma
ton or group OF nations be suffered to
determine the fortunes OF peoples over
whom they have no right to rule except
the right Of force
H. Shall strong nations be free TO
wrong weak nations and make them sub
ject to their purpose and INTEREST,"
III. Shall peoples be ruled and domi-
mated, even in their internal affairs. by
arbitrary and irresponsible force or by
their own will and choice?
". Shall there be common standard
OF right and privilege for all peoples
and nations, or shall the strong do as
they will and the weak suffer without
redress?
V. Shall the assertion of right be hap
hazard and by casual alliance. or shall
there be a common assent to oblige the
observance OF common rights?
1t Is apparent at a glance that the
first four of these issues are one and
the same thing. The thing is stated
differently by Mr.. WILSON, from four
slightly different angles Of enuncia-
ton, merely to gain reiterative force
for the great oyershadowing principle
which is in the Presidents mind and
heart; namely, equal, impartial JUS
tice for all nationalities; in world
politics the same fundamental Idea
that makes America what 1t is; de-
mocracy against autocracy based on
military strength,
1t Is only when we come to the
fifth issue, or principle. that we get
at that which the President came to
New York to say to the world,
1t is this: Impartial Justice in
every item Of the settlement must be
assured and secured for all the
future by a League Of Nations,
federation Of the civilized and honest
Powers Of the world virile and
potent enough to enforce its decisions
and mandates.
The second and secondary categor-
ical statement Of principles in Mr..
WILSON'S address means precisely the
same thing, without attempting any
nearer approach to specific geograph-
Ical or political definitions. We para
phrase here the Presidents specifica-
lions:
I. In melting out that impartial JUS
tlce which the victorious result of
the world conflict is to insure there
must be no discrimination between
friends of the present and foes Of the
present.
III. No selfish interests Of any vic
tor nation, or any group of victor
nations, must be allowed to Interfere
with that general principle of Impair
tlal justice to all which he has so
broadly and clearly stated.
III. The same thing is implied in
the third statement: No interior
leagues or alliances or special cove
nants within the League Of Nations.
". No commercial boycott except
as means Of enforcement in the
common interests Of all.
V. No secret treaties.
All this is crystalline truth, stated
with dynamic simplicity. AS THE
SUN has forcseen and believed, the
President Is unqualified in his rejec-
! ton of the idea that the present
mllltarlstic Government of Germany,
the present Prussian autocracy of
the Hohenzollerns, can be trusted to
participate In the League of Nations
without the guarantees of fidelity