The Devils Lake world., 1921-05-25

Reprinted from LaFollette's I
three installments in The W.
The new administration within a
few weeks will be called upon to give
the people Of the United States the
s.formal and effective peace" with
Germany which was pledged before
the election.
On April 30, the Senate adopted the
Knox resolution declaring war at an
end. The interests Of the American
people and the stabilizing Of condi-
tions abroad will be advanced by the
early consummation of a treaty Of
peace with the German Government.
Some Of the leaders in the Senate
who voted US into the war, declare
that we must not "desert our allies"
and that we must pledge them our as
sistance in carrying out the terms of
the Versailles treaty exclusive of the
covenant Of the League Of Nations
The German Government, mean
while, has appealed to the United
States to intervene with the allies to
prevent the coercion of Germany by
brute force into compliance with the
terms of that monstrous and impos-
sible treaty.
An honest observance Of our moral
obligations, as we'll as wholesome
regard for the peace of the world and
our interests as nation, require that
this country should refuse to be an
accomplice in the further spoliation Of
Central Europe. On the contrary:
this Government is in honor bound to
use its influence to modify the terms
Of the treaty in accordance with our
solemn pledges during the war.
To steer an honest course at this
time, we must go back of the treaty
to the pledges which were made by
our government to the world, upon
which our own people and the allies
acted during the war, and upon which
Germany in November, 1918, con-
scented to sign an armistice. The only
peace that deserves the support of the
American people must conform with
these pledges.
President Wilson came before Con-
gress in April, 1917, and asked for a
declaration Of war against the Ger
man Empire. It was the principles
enunicated in this address upon which
Congress acted and to which it gave
its consent when it declared war. In
this address Mr.. Wilson said:
eve have no quarrel with the
German people. We have no
feeling toward them but one of
sympathy and friendship. 1t was
not upon their impulse that their
government acted in entering the
war. 1t was not with their pre-
vious knowledge and approval"
Referring to the reports of German
"spies" and "plots" so prevalent Al
that time, Mr.. Wilson said:
"We knew that their source lay
not in any hostile feeling or pur-
pose Of the German people to-
ward us-who were no doubt as
ignorant Of them as we ourselves
were-but only in the selfish de-
signs of a government that did
what it pleased and told its peo-
pie nothing"
Later, in the same address, he said
eve are glad now that we see
the facts with no veil Of false
pretense about them, to fight
thus for the ultimate peace of the
world and FOR THE LIBERIA
TION OF ITS PEOPLES, THE
GERMAN PEOPLES INCLUD-
ED; for the rights of nations
great and small and the privilege
of men everywhere to choose their
way Of life and of obedience.
The world must be made safe for
democracy"
And, finally, he said:
1T will be all the easier for US
to conduct ourselves as belliger-
: ents in high spirit or right and
fairness, because we act without
animus, not in enmity toward
people, or with desire to bring
injury or disadvantage upon
them, but only in armed opposi-
tion to an irresponsible govern
ment which has thrown aside all
consideration Of humanity and Of
right and is running amuck. We
are, let me say again, the sincere
friends of the German people,
and shall desire nothing so much
e, as the early re-establishment Of
intimate relations of mutual ad-
vantage between u.s."
Four days after the President hi
delivered his message Congress, .
April 6, passed joint resolution d
claring the existence Of a. state
war between the United States al
the Imperial German Government.
The aims, the purposes, and 4
pledges made by President Wills
were the aims, purposes, and pledg
upon which this nation entered q
n conducted the war and which We
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