Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-02-28
VICTORIES THE ONLY
ARGUMENT FOR PEACE
So Says Former President
Taft in His Public
Ledger Editorial

Former President William H. Taft.
in an editorial published this morning
in the Public Ledger, of which he is
associate editor, discusses the issue of
peace, asserting that the only arguments
which can make an impression on the
Teutons are victories on the western
front. lie says
Chancellor Won IIertling's reply TO
President Wilson's address OF February
] does not help the situation. Ger
many's spokesman processes fundamcn-
tai agreement with four general prin-
ciples stated by the President as the
basis for a proper settlement of the
war One of these was that each part
of the settlement should be based on the
essential justice of that part and should
be made with a view TO securing per-
manent peace. The second was that
peoples and provinces We're not to he
hartered from one sovereignty to an
other to secure balanC. of power.
The third was that every territorial
settlement must be for the benefit Of
populations concerned and not in adj
justment of claims among rival states.
The fourth was that well-detined ma
tjonal aspirations should be satisfied so
far as possible without creating new or
rcviving old elements of disCOTd likely
10 break the peace Of Europe and the
world.
Count Won Hertlhg's insincerity in
accepting these rules appears in the
hard peace he has driven with the Boil
shevikL The paCt Violates them all
leave Russia is not based on essential
justice, nor will It secure permanent
peace save as Germany's mailed fist
will preserve il against the will of the
part Of Russia to secure n balance Of
power sought by Germany and Austria.
II Is not for the benefit of the popula-
tons concerned. but Is in adjustment of
the claims of Germany and Austria to
loot and to extend suzerainty after the
war. Il obstructs and defeats well :
defined national aspirations of independ-
cnt Russia, and seeks TO satisfy new
national aspirations of Finland and the
Ukraine under circumstances which Will
put them under German and Austrian
influence and make them constant
menace to the peace Of Europe
The war aims of the United states and
Of her Allies have been sufficiently stated.
Further elaboration or restatemeut is
likely to produce Inconsistencies and
differing points Of view which are COM
fusng to the Allied peoples. Indeed the
messages of the President already de-
liVered considered as a whole. are not
wholly free from this fault. We cam
not win the war by talk, We cannot
sever Austria from tho German alliance.
especially after the Russian debacle,
nipc we ever so sweetly. The arguments
that will tell with the German and Aus
trian peoples are Allied victories on the
western front from the North Sea TO
the Adriatic and nothing else. Let us
address our whole energies to achieving
these
What We must steel ourselves aGains
I'm this country is the organization of al
( inconCusive peace party. AS the losses
of life and the burdens Of taxes and con
trlbutions and the occasional and inev
table discouragements crowd upon u
in the progress of the war, the insdiou
passimists, the treasopable, weak-kneed
-hc pacihsts, the selfish and unpatrioti