New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-02-23
Fourteen Point Casualties

The fourteen points having been
tacitly ignored in the recent news, it
is worth while, perhaps, to take note of
their present status. Fair accuracy, it
is believed, may be claimed for the fol-
lowing summary:
/. open covenants of peace, openly
arrived at" Ignored in all the vital dis
cussons and conferences.
2. "Absolute freedom of navigation
upon the seas, alike in peace and war;"
Abandoned, the explanation being given
that inasmuch as in future wars there
will be no neutrals, the President regards
the making of the proposal as a Joke on
himself
3. Removal, as far as possible, of all
economic barriers and the establishment
Of an equality of trade conditions among
all nations conserving to the peace and
associating themselves for it's mainte-
nance" Modified so as to exclude, at
the option of the dominant powers ma
lions consenting to the peace and willing
to associate themselves for it's main
tenance.
a. adequate guarantees given and
taken that national ornaments will be
reduced to the lowest limits consistent
with domestic safety" Indefinitely post
poned until commission, not yet ap-
pointed, by leagues executive council,
not yet created, shall report a scheme
and the report is unanimously approved.
5. adjustment of all colonial claims,
based upon strict observance of the
principle that in determining all such
questions of sovereignty, the interests of
the population concerned must have
equal weight with the equitable claims
of the government whose title is to be
determined" A vague article which has
given way to a recognition of the eX-
tinction of the titles of the Central
Powers, and proposal to have colonial
administration by manufactures" which
sometimes is to have the effect of an
neXation and sometimes not.
6. "Evacuation of all Russian terri
tory" Troops Of the Allies maintained
in Russia, Siberia and the Ukraine, and
declaration by our State Department
that the Bolshcvk government is an
"outlaw" one and urging all neutrals to
break off relations with it. Since the
"outlaws" have been asked to attend
friendly conference.
z. Belgium to be evacuated and re-
stored" Evacuated but not yet restored
and no agreement reached as to what
the damage bill is to include.
8. "Invaded France to be evacuated
and restored and Alsace- Lorraine to be
receded.' Evacuated and recession agreed
to, but no agreement reached concerning
indemnifcation or how to compel pay
ment.
8. GA reimbursement Of the frontiers of
Italy along clearly recognizable lines Of
nationality" In conference
10. Austrian Slav states. Recognized
II. Rumania, Serbia and Montenegro
and a general Balkan settlement with
restorations and access to the seas
Evacuated, but otherwise problems not
yet attacked.
~. Turkey and the Dardanelles:
Agreement that nom Turkish territories
are to be trimmed away, but other
phases Of the problem deferred
13. An independent and enlarged Po-
land with access to the seas: In fair
way toward achievement.
Ia. "a general association of nations
must be formed, under specific covenants,
for the purpose of affording mutual
guarantees of political independence and
territorial integrity to great and small
states alike" A general association of
oil nations abandoned in favor of
scheme for an association of some
nations.
The casualties suffered by the four
teen points, it will be agreed, are heavy.
Item by item there has been complete re-
cession or materia modification. A
series of rearguard actions have oc-
Cured, each one further back, precisely
as was anticipated The fourteen points
in some respects were too nebulous and
In others were too violative of justice
to endure analysis