The sun., 1919-09-19

upon definite and wen understood
foundation, supported by such
covenants as men can depend upon,
supported by such purposes as will
permit OF n concert of action
throughout all the free peoples OF the
world.
don't believe that we even now
stop to consider how remarkable the
Peace Conference in Paris has been.
II 10 the first great international con-
ference which did not, meet to con-
slider the interests and advantages Of
the strong nations. The heart of
this treaty ~ that II gives liberty
and Independence to people who never
could have got II for themselves.
You have only TO take the formulas
Of the war in order to see what was
the matter. The formula OF pam
Germanism was Bremen to Bag
dad" Germany was looking for the
line of least resistance to establish
her power. and unless, gentlemen,
the world makes that line of abso-
lutte resistance this war viii have
to be fought over. You must settle
the difficulties which gave occasion
to the war or you must expect war
again.
am not saying that Germany
was the only aggressor and intriguer.
but I am saying that there was the
field where lay the danger Of the
world In regard to peace.
Intimacies Of "Big Four.v
was glad. after inaugurated Il.
that drew together the little body
that was called the big Four" It
was very simple council of friends.
The intimacies of this little room
were the centre Of the whole Peace
Conference and they we're the intima-
cies Of men who believes the same
things and thought the same thoughts
Now the peace of the world is abso-
lutely indispensable to US and imme-
diately Indispensable to us. There Is
not q single domestic trouble that
can be worked out in the right tenn
per or opportunity and In time un-
less we have conditions that we can
count on.
We cannot arrange q single ele-
ment Of our business until we have
settled peace and know whether we
are going to deal with a friendly
world or an unfriendly world.
In an open market mems minds
must be open. II has been said SO
often that II Is very trite saying,
but II remains nevertheless true
that financial panic Is a mere state
of mind.
But while the whole world is in
doubt what to expect the whole
world IL under the apprehension
that Is Characteristic Of a panic.
want to remind you how the per
manency OF peace Is at the heart of
this treaty. This Ia not merely a
treaty of peace with Germany; It Is
nothing less than a world SETTLE
ment, and at the centre Of It stands
this covenant for the future which
we call the covenant of the League
OF Nations. The covenant OF the
League OF Nations Is the instru-
mentality for the maintenance Of
peace.
II any member of the league ig-
nores the promises with regard to
arbitration and discussion. what hap
pensf An absolute isolation and boy
colt.
There is not. so far as / know,
a single European country-and I
say European because / think our
own country Is exceptional-which
Ia not dependent upon some other
part Of the world for some of the
necessaries of Its life.
So that what I am emphasizing Is
that the heart of this covenant Is
arbitration and discussion. and that
that Is the only possible basis for
peace In the future.
It Is a basis for something better
than peace. Really civilization pro-
ceeds on the principle of understand
ing one another. You know how
peace between those who employ
labor and. those who labor depends
upon conference and mutual under
standing. II you don't get together
with the other aide It will be hos
tility to the end.
My fellow citizens. believe in
Divine Providence. II I did not /
would go crazy. II I thought the
direction Of the disordered affairs of
this world depended upon our finite
endeavor should not know how to
reason my way to sanity. But / do
not believe there Is any body of men.
however they concert their power or
their influence. that can defeat this
great enterprise. which is the enter
prise OF divine mercy and peace and
good will.