The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1919-01-18

PARIS, Jan. Is. President lutnr
care. opening the conference Of
Paris, spoke az follows.
Gentlemen, France erccts and
thanks you for having unanimously
chosen. a. tho seat OF your laborH,
the city which, for over four years,
the enemy has made the principal
military objective, and which the
vialor % the allied armies has vie
toriously defended against unccna'
ingly renewed offensivcs.
Allow me 60 see Ia your decision
tho homage OF all the nations that
you represent toward country
which. sun more than any others,
has endured the suffcrings OF war
OF which entire provinces. transform
ell into vast battlefields, have been
systematically wasted by the In.
vader. and she has paid hum.nity's
tribute TO death.
France has borne these enormous
sacrifices without having incurred
the slightest responsibility FOR the
frightful catastrophe which has
overwhelmed the universe. and. al
the moment when this circle of hor'
ror Is ending. all the powers whose
delegates are assembled here. may
acqui, themselves 81 any share In
the crime which has resulted in 30
unprecedented disaster.
Humanity Has Confidence
what gives you authority TO
establish a peace OF Justice Is the
fact that none Of the people OF whom
you are the delegates. pas had any
part in injustice. Humanity can
place confidence in you. because you
are not among those who have out
ragged the rights Of humanity.
There is no nsed % further In
formation or for special inquiries in
to the origin OF the drama which
has just shaken the world. The
truth, bashed In blood. has already
escaped from the imperial archives.
The prcmeditatcd charact~ Of rhc
trap Is today clearly proved.
In the hope OF conauering first.
the hegcmony 81 Europe and next.
the mastery OF the world. the central
empires. bound together rs a secret
plot. found the most abOminable pre-
text for trying TO crush Serbia and
force their way 20 the East NJ the
same time. they disowncd the most
solemn undertakings in order 10
crush Belgium and force their WAY
into the heart Of France. These are
the two unforgcttabie outragcs which
opened the way 10 aggression The
combined efforts OF Great Britain.
France and Russia broke themselves
against that man-madr Arrogance.
"If those who wished 20 reign by
the sword have persisted b. the
sword. they have but theYHclveg to
blame. They have been slestroyed
by their own biinaness.
shameful Proposals
what could be more significant
than the shameful bargains they AZ.
tempted to offer 10 Great Britain
and France at the end Of July. 1914.
when. together. they suggested nj.
low us TO attack France on land
and We will not enter tho channel
and when they Instructed their am
bassador to say 10 France. We viii
only accept a declaration Of nsutSll-
lty on your part II you surrcnder>o
US Briey and Nerdun.' II 10 in the
light Of these facts. gentlemen. that
all the conclusions you wxl have TO
draw from the war will take shape.
"Your nations entered the war sue
cezsively. but came one and all. TO
the help Of threatened right.
Like Germany. Great Britain and
France had guaranteed tho indie
pendence OF Belgium. Germany
sought to crush Belgium. Great
x,-f,atr GA pranee hath syvorc 20