Omaha daily bee., 1919-07-11

termined by the universal expecta-
tions 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 its own, but only as the
champion of rights which it 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 wei
coined as disinterested friends.
u. S. Acted As Arbiters.
l. We were resorted to as arbiters
in many a difficult matter. 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
it was taken for granted, I am
proud to say, that we would play
the helpful friend in these things
as i'll all others without prejudice or
favor.
We were generously accepted as
the unaffected champions of what
was right. 1t was a very response
be role to play; ut l am happy to
report that the fine group of Amer
leans who helped with their expert
advice in each part of the varied
settlements sought in every trans
action to justify the high confidence
reposed in them.
America Owes Duty.
sand that confidence, it seems to
me, is the measure of our opportu-
nifty and 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 ex-
actly II years ago that the results of
the war with Spain put US unex-
pectedly in possession of rich
islands on the other side of the
| world and brought US into associa-
ton with other governments in the
control of the West 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 be-
yond the confines of our continental
dominions. They were accustomed
to think of new neighbors as a new
menace, of rivals as watchful enc
mics.
People Disapproved Action.
There were persons amongst US
| at home who looked with deep dis
approval and avowed anxiety on
such extensions of our national au-
thority over distant islands and
over peoples whom they feared we
might exploit, not serve and assist.
But we have not exploited them.
1--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 utmost in our dealings
with Cuba. She is weak but abso-
lutely free; and it is her trust in us
that makes her free. Weak peoples
everywhere stand ready to give US
4 any authority among them that will
assure them a like friendly over
sight and direction. They know
that there is no ground for fear in
receiving us as their mentors and
guides. Our isolation was ended
20 years ago; and now fear of US is
ended also, our counsel and asso-
ciation sought after aud desired.
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
offered Us, whether we shall accept
or reject the confidence of the
world.
America is Worlds Leader.
"The war and the conference of
peace now sitting in Paris seem to
me to have answered that question.
Our participation in the war estab-
lished our position among the ma
tions and nothing but our own mis-