Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-10-15
What Do the Terms Mean9

| Gus antiquities in these terms should develop
| or radical differences in interpretations should
be placed thereon. the end may not be as near
as it would now seem. 1t is automatic that until
the minds of contracting parties meet there can
| be no contract.
| hope | will not be accused OF criticisrg
our noble president whose every utterance is
! so beautifully worded as to be universally ap-
| plauded. when | suggest that the time has now
arrived when these terms and conditions should
be analysed and their actual purport made
known. 1t would be a sad thing if the Amer
lean people should get What they have pee.
shouting for and then discover that they have
been shouting for something they did not want
OF the major item in these terms only do
feel confident of my Interpretation.
By removal of all economic barriers and the
establishment of neutrality of trade conditions
(see condition three), freedom from economic
serfdom" (see Wisconsin campaign letter., the
prohibition of ANY form of economic excl, sion"
and the prevention of all economic rivaries in
definite and binding terms" (see speech OF Sep
TENDER 27), especially when read in the light of
the school OF political economy in which the
president was educated, and which for many
years he taught and has always spoken, leaves
no doubt in my mind that he intends to estab-
lish international free trade in such definite
and binding form" that the enactment of pro-
tective tariff. as distinguished from a tariff for
revenue only, by any signatory nation will COR
stitute an act of war against all other parties o
the treaty.
Undoubtedly our allies will welcome, the
neutral world will rejoice and the central powers
will be willing to surrender practically every
thing for such provision. This is evident from
the tact that there are two essentials to a mar
kct-~hrst, ability to pay, and second, needs. |
put ability to pay first, for the mere possession
OF the means with which to .uy always creates
needs. After the war all the world will &c in
need, but America only will possess the means
with which to buy. International free trade,
therefore, should be acceptable to everyone ex-
cept experienced Americans
But there are several other matters that in
terest me wherein | am entirely at sea: First
does 'even-handed and dispassionate Justice"
(see Third Liberty loan speech) and impartial
justice, with no discrimna ion between those to
whom we wish to be just and those to whom
we do not wish to be just no favor
ties and no standard but the equal rights of the
several people concerned (see Fourth Liberty
loan Speech) mean that the sufferers of atroci-
ties and the perpetrators thereof are to be &C
corded the same treatment in the treaty? If
not, will someone cite statement in condition
or speech that more than squints, if indeed it
squlnts. at indemnity or reparation?
Second-Do these quoted statements and
others OF similar import in what the president
IS pleased to call his practical program as dis
tingulshed from thesis (see speech OF Sep
TENDER ~ imply that the people Of BELGIUM,
whose factories have been strapped, natural re-
sources plundered, cities burned, youth deport-
ed, children mutilated, manhood sterilized,
women debauched and the people of Germany,
whose lands as yet IRE unscathed by the horrors
of war and whose barns and warehouses are
bursting with loot, are to face this new, unset
fish world from which "all economic rivalry has
hpa ~ linz
cannot believe that is what our noble president
means, but have looked in vain for any state
ment which our representatives at the peace
table can quote with reliance should Germany
claim its legal right to place the most favorable
Interpretation possible upon solemn PROPOSE
ton tor contractural settlement.
Third-Does the statement, Germany will
have to redeem its character, not by what hap
pens at the peace table, but by what follows"
(see the Fourth Liberty loan speech). throw
favorable or unfavorable light upon what Amer
leans hope the president intends? Has Ger
many probably read this passage? Will it be
likely to quote it at the peace table if our rep
resentatives, then and there, for the first time
call up old scores?
Fourth-DoeS the statement of September
H., All who sit down at the peace table must
come ready and willing to pay the price y"
that price is impartial justice in every item of the
settlement, no matter whose interest is crossed"
imply that Orientas, for instance, are to have
free access and right of donicile in all coun-
tries, as we'll as the right'to sell the products of
their labor therein without encountering protec-
tive tariffs? How else can Economic rivalries"
between Japan and the United States "be re-
moved in definite and binding" form?
r.,d The ft5, Of the presidents "a conditions
impartial adjustment of ali colonial claims,
based upon strict observance of the principle
that, in determining all such questions of SOW
ereignty, the interests of the populations con-
cerned must have equal weight with the equita-
Bile claim OF the government whose title is to be
determined"
,Fifth-Does the foregoing imply modifca-
ton of the statement in the Declaration of In
dependence, Governments derive all their lust
powers from the consent of the governed" Is
1t likely to cause any discussion with our allies,
and especially with England, in view of the fact
that three days before the president announced
his '.'principle' David Lloyd George had said
of1claly, secondly, a territorial settlement
must be secured based on the right of self
determination, or the consent of the governed?"
These, and many similar statements from the
highest earthly authority on an occasion of gray
est Importance doubtless mean definite things.
am SIMPLY asking for light and am willing to
pay for it if l get it.
In my search for truth have addressed two
letters to the secretary to the president and one
to the president himself. The only reply |
have thus far received is to the effect that the
presidents statements are all perfectly clear.
But they are not clear to my mind. | was en-
boldened to ask more definitely by the presi-
dents assurance of September u that he was
glad to answer again and again. so that those
who struggle in the ranks may have reply
whose meaning no one can have any excuse for
not understanding"
Recognizing the gravity of the situation
should we and our allies place one interpreta
ton upon the presidents utterances and our
enemies after accepting them, should show or
Ia chAI- L. IL = 1