The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-07-11

y LII LII 1919.
terssts which directly or indirectly
affected almost every nation in the
world-without many minor compro-
misses. The treaty. as q result. is not
exactly what we would have written.
Squares with Principles.
It IL probably not what any one OF
the national delegations would have
written. But results were worked
which were on the whole better, I
think that 1t will be found that the
compromises which were accepted as
inevitable nowhere cut TO the heart
OF any principle. The work Of the con-
ference squares, as a whole, with the
principles agreed upon as the basis
OF the peace as we'll as with the prac-
teal possibilities of the international
situations which had to be faced and
dealt with as facts.
shall presently have occasion to
lay before you a special treaty with
France, whose objects is the tempo
provoked aggression BY the power with
whom the treaty of peace has been
negotiated. It's terms link it with this
treaty. l take the liberty. however.
Of reserving II for special explanation
on another occasion.
The role which America was to play
in the conference seemed determined.
as l have said, before my colleagues
and reached Paris-determined by
universal expectations Of the nations
whose representatives, drawn from all
quarters of the globe, we were to deal
with. 1t was universally recognized
that America had entered the war to
promote no private or peculiar inter-
est of her own, but only as the cham
pion Of rights which she was glad to
share with free men and lovers OF
Justice everywhere. We had formu-
lated the principle upon which the
settlement was to be made-the prin-
ciples upon which the armistice had
been agreed to and the parleys of
peace undertAken-And no one doubt
ed that our desire was to see the treaty
OF peace formulated along the actual
lines Of these principles-and desired
nothing else.
We were welcomed a. disinter ested
friends. We were resorted to as arbi-
traitors in many a dimcult matter. r.
was recognised that our material aid
would be indispensable In the days to
come when industry and credit would
have to be brought back to their nor
mai operation again and communities
beaten to the ground assisted to their
feet once more, and 1t was taken for
granted, am proud to say. that we
would play the helpful friend in these
things as in all others without preju-
dice or favor. We were generously
accepted as the unaffected champions
Of what was right. 1t was
responsible role to play. but l am
happy to report that the nne group
OF Americans who helped with their
expert advice in each part Of the va
ried settlements sought in every trans
action to justify the high confidence
reposed In them.
And that confidence, It seems to
; me. is the measure Of our opportunity
and of our duty in the days to come,
In which the new hope of the peo-
pies of the world Is to be fulfilled or
disappointed. The fact that America
is the friend OF nations. whether
they be rivals or associates. is no new
fact: 1t is only the discovery OF it by
the rest of the world that is new.
America Reaches Majority.
America may be said to have just
reached her majority as world
| power. 1. was almost exactly twenty
one years ago that the results OF the
war with Spain put us Unexpectedly
| in possession of rich islands on tho
other side of the world and brought
us into association with other govern
ments in the control of the West In
dies. 1t was regarded as a sinister
and ominous thing by the statesmen
| OF more than one European chan
| ceilory that We should have extended
our power beyond the confines OF our
continental dominions. They were ac-
| customed 10 think of new neighbors
| as a new menace, of rivals as watch
/ full enemies. There were persons
/ amonest us at home who looked with
deep disapproval and avowed anxiety
| On such extensions OF our national
| authority ever distant islands and
! over peoples whom they feared we
Nigh. exploit. not serve and assist.
! But we have not exploited them. We
have been their friends and have
| sought to serve them. And our
dominion has been a menace TO no
| other nation.
| We redeemed our honor 20 the ut
| most in our dealings with Cuba. She
! is weak, but absolutely free. ana 1t
! Is her trust in US that makes her free.
Weak peoples everywhere stand ready
to give us any authority among them
!, that will assure them a like friendly
/ oversight and direction. They know
! that there is no ground for fear In
+, receiving us as their mentors and
! guides. Our isolation was ended twen-
! ty years ago and now fear OF us Is
! ended also, our counsel and associa-
! ton sought after and desired.
j There can be no question of our
| ceasing to be a world power. The
| only question is whether we can re-
+, fuse the moral leadership that Is Of
+, fered US. whether we shall accept or
re tect the confidence Of the world.
| The war and the conference OF the
! peace now sitting in Paris seem to me
! to have answered that question Our
/ participation in the war established
! our position among the nations and
! nothing but our own mistaken action
I can alter 1t. 1t was not an accident
! or a matter of sudden choice that we
are no longer isolated and devoted to a
! policy which has only our own inter-
| est and advantage for its object.
| 1t was our duty to so in. II we were,
indeed, the champions Of liberty and
of right We answered to the call OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION OF