The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-07-10


The treaty as a result, is not ex-
actly what we would have written.
1t Is probably not what any one of
the national delegations would have
written. But results were worked
out which on the whole bear test.
think that it will be found that the
compromises which were accepted
as inevitable nowhere cut to the
heart of any principle. The work
whole, with the principles agreed
upon as the basis of the peace as
well as with the practical possibili-
ties of the international situations
which had to be faced and dealt
with as facts.
l shall presently have occasion to
lay before you a special treaty with
France, whose object is the tenn
porary protection of France from
with whom this treaty of
peace has been negotiated. Its
terms link II with this treaty. I
take the liberty, however, OF re-
serving 1t for special explanation
on another occasion.
Dlsinterested Friends.
The role which America was to
play in the conference seemed de-
termined, as l have said. before my
colleagues and l got to Paris-de-
termined by the universal expecta-
lions of the nations whose repre-
sentatives, 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 IN
terest of her own, but only as the
champion of rights, which she was
glad to share with free men and
lovers of justice everywhere. We
had formulated the principles upon
which the settlement was to be
made-the principles upon which
the armistice had been agreed to
and the parleys of peace under
taken-and no one doubted that our
desire was to see the treaty of
peace formulated along the actual
lines of those principles-and de-
sired nothing else. We were well
coined as disinterested friends. We
were resorted to as arbiters in
many a difficult mattr. It was
recognized that our material aid
would be indispensable in the days
to come, when industry and credit
would have to be brought back to
their normal 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 prejudice
or favor. We were generously ac-
cepted as of what was right. 1t
was very responsible role to play,
but l am happy to report that the
fine group of Americans who helped
with their expert advice in each
part of the varied settlements
sought in every transaction to JUS
tify the high confidence reposed in
them. .
And that confidence. it seems to
me, is the measure of our oppor-
tunity, of our duty in the days to
come. in which the new hope of the
peoples Of the world is to be full
filled or disappointed. The fact
that America is the friend of the
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
may be said to have just reached
her majority as a world power. 1t
was almost exactly twenty-one
years ago that the results of the
war with Spain, put us uneXpect-
eddy in posse ssion Of rich lands on
the other side Of the world and
brought us into associations with
other governments in the control OF
the We Indies. 1t was regarded
as a sinister and ominous thing
by the statesmen of more than one
European Chancellory that we
should have extended our power
beyond the confines OF our CONT
mental dominions. They were ac-
customed to think of new neigh
l., If ri
watchful enemies. There were per-
sons amongst us at home who
looked with deep disapproval and
avowed anxiety on such extensions
of our national authority over dis
tant islands and over peoples whom
they feared we might exploit. not
serve or 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 to the ut
most In our dealings with Cuba.
She Is weak. but absolutely free;
and 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 men
tors and guides. Our isolation
now fear of us is ended also, our
counsel and association sought
after and desired. There can be
no question of our ceasing to be a
world power. The only question Is
whether we can refuse the moral
leadership that is offered us,
whether we shall accept or reject
the confidence OF the world.
Own Mistaken Act Can Alter II.
The war and the conference OF
peace now sitting in Paris seem TO
me to have answered that question.
Our participation in the war es-
tablished our position among the
nations and nothing but our own
mistaken action can alter IT. It
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 interest
and advantage for It's object. It
was our duty to 90 in, n we were
indeed the champions OF liberty and
Of right. We answered to the call
of duty IN a way 50 spirited so
utterly without thought Of what we
spent VI DlOO'l UT treasure 30 Fl-
fective, so worthy Of the admiration
Of true mon everywhere. so wrought
out of the stuff of all that was
heroic, that the whole world saw at
last. in the flesh. in noble action,
great ideal asserted and indicated.
by n nation they had deemed ma
terial and now found to he COM
posed Of the spiritual forces that
must free men OF every nation from
l.. L.
that a new role and now respon-
sihilitY have come TO this great ma
ton that we honor and which we
would all wish to lift to vet higher
evels OF service and achievement.
The stAge Is set. the destiny dis
closed. We can only go forward.
with lifted eyes and freshened
shirt to follow the vision. II was
Of this that we dreamed at our
birth. America shall in truth show
The wav. The light streams upon
the path ahead, and nowhere else.