Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1919-01-27
PRESIDENT WILSON'S
ADDRESS. OUTLINING
LEAGUE OF NATIONS

tinguished privilege to be permitted
to open the discussion in this con-
ference on the League Of Nations.
We have assembled for two purposes,
to make the present settlements
which have been rendered necessary
by this war and also to secure the
peace of the world, not only by the
present settlements, but by the ar
rangements we shall make at this
conference for its maintenance.
The League of Nations seems to me
TO be necessary for both OF these
purposes. There are many complicat-
ell questions connected with the pres
cnt settlements, which perhaps can
not be successfully worked out to an
ultimate issue by the decisions we
shall arrive ut here. can easily con-
ccivc that many of these settlements
will need subsequent consideration; (;
that MANY of the decisions we make
shall need subsequent alteration IN
some degree. for if | may Judge by
my own study of some of these ques-
tions, they are not susceptible Tor
con dent judgments at present.
Ii Is therefore necessary that We
should set up some machinery by
which the work of this conference
should be rendered complete.
We have assembled here for the
purpose Of doing very much more
than making the present settlements
that arc necessary. We arc assembled
under very peculiar conditions of
world opinion. may say, without
stralning the point, that we are not
tho representatives Of governments,
but representatives of the peoples.
II will not suffice to satisfy govern
mental circles anywhere. IL Is nccos-
sary that we should satisfy the
opinion of mankind.
The burdens of this war have fallen
in m unusual degree upon the whole
population of the countries involved.
| do not need to draw for YOU the
picture OF how the burden has been
thrown back from the frl nj upon the
Older men. upon the women. upon the
children, upon the homes of the
civilized world. and how the real strain
Of the war has come where the eyes OF
the government could not reach,
but where the heart of humanity
beats
We arc hidden hv these people to
make a peace which Will make them
secure. We are hidden by these
people 10 sec to il that this strain
does not come upon them again.
And venture to say that II has been
possible for them to bear this strain
because they hoped that those who
represented them could get together
after this war and make such an
other sacrifice unnecessary.
1t solemn obligation on our part
therefore. to make permanent are
rangements that justice shall be
rendered and peace maintained.
Thus is tho central object of our
meeting. Settlements may be tom
porary. but the action Of the nations
in the interest Of peace and justice
must be permanent. We can set up
permanent processes. We may not
be able to get up 4 permanent dc
ciSion
Therefore, it seems to me that we
must take as far rs We can picture
Of the world into our minds Is 1t not
a startling circumstance, for one
thing. that the great discoveries OF
science, that the quiet studies OF men
in laboratories, that the thoughtful
deyelonrnents which have taken
place in quiet lecture rooms have
now been turned 10 the destruction
of civilization? The powers OF de-
struction have not so much multi
piled as thev have gained facilities.
The enemy whom we have Just
overcome, had at his seats Of learning
some Of the principal centres OF
scientific study and discovery, and
he used them in order to make de-
struction sudden and complete.
And only the watchful and con-
tinuous cooperation OF men can see
to If that science. as well as armed
men. i kept within the harness OF
civilization
In . sense the United States is less
interested in this subject than The
other nations here assembled. With
her great territory and her extensive
sea borders. il IS less likely that the
United states should suffer from the
attack Of enemies than that other
nations should suffer. And the ardor OF
the United States-for II Is a very deep
and genuine ardor-for the society
Of nations is not an ardor springing
out OF fear or apprehension, but an
ardor springing out Of the ideals
which have come IN the conscious
ness of this wer.
In coming into this war the United
States never for n moment thought
that she was intervening in the poll
tics Of Europe, or the politics Of Asia,
or the politics of any part OF the
world. Her thought was that all the
world had now become conscious that
there was single cause Of justice and
Of liberty for men of every kind and
place.
Therefore, the United States should
feel that its part in this war should
be Dlaved in vain if there ensued upon
il abortiye European settlements. 1t
would feel that il could not take part
in guaranteeing those European set
Elements unless that guarantee in
volved the continuous superintend-
encc of the peace of the world by the
associated nations OF the world.
Therefore, it seems TO me that we
must concern our best judgment IN
order to make this eague Of Nations
q vital thing thing sometimes
called into life TO meet an exigency-
but always functionlng IN watchful
attendance upon the interests of the
nations. and that its continuity
should be d vital continuity; that its
functions. are continuing functions
that do not permit an intermission of
its watchfuIness and of its labor; that
it should be the eye Of the nations, to
keep watch upon the common inter-
est-an eye that did not slumber, an
eye that was everywhere watchful
and attentive.
And if We do not make it vital,
what shall we do? We shall disappoint
the expectations Of the peoples
THIS is what their thought centres
upon.
/ had the very delightful expert