Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-05-06
INSIST ON WILL TO PEACE


Not alone Englishmen were listen
ing to Ambassador Houghton's re-
marks at the Pilgrims dinner Mon
day evening. German and French
leaders were doubtless tuned in. The
impression intended for them to re-
ceive doubtless got across to them.
The dominant note in it suggests Its
own origin. It was given by the rep
resentative Of the plain American
citizens who are weary Of fiub-dub-
bling. They want peace. They ex-
pect an earnest effort to that end
among the peoples who are trying to
borrow our money.
There has been abundant patience
shown them. They have been beset
by difficulties. It is true. But there
has been noticeable lack Of the viii
to peace. The gesture Of Germany
in the choice Of Hindenburg is sus-
ceptible Of other than indications Of
peace OF an inclination to peace. AL
ready there is renewed whining that
Germany cannot pay according to
the Dawes plan. Has anyone any
doubt whether the defeated would
have paid according to the German
plan, had Germany won the war?
Except such selfishness shall be
found to have been enlightened by
the experiences Of the war the es-
sentials to q real peace will be found
lacking. Ambassador Houghton ad-
mirably expressed the situation
when he said:
THE full measure of American
helpfulness can be obtained only
when the American people are as
sured that the time for destructive
methods and policies has passed and
that the time for peaceful upbuild-
ing has come. They are asking
themselves IL that time has in fact
arrived. And that question they
must be given to them. 1t must
come from the peoples Of Europe,
who alone can make the decision.
IL the answer is peace, then you
may be sure that America will help
to her generous utmost. But If
which God forbid-that answer shall
continue confused and doubtful, then
] fear that those helpful processes
which are now in motion must in
evitably cease.
We are not, as a people interested
In making speculative advances. We
can undertake to help only those
who try to help themselves. And in
saying this we are not thinking spe-
cifcally of any one nation, but rather
OF situation in which we are all
alike involved.
Now with the working out of that
problem in its details, the American
people have no will nor desire to
NEEDLE. They recognize that into it
factors enter with which they are
only indirectly concerned. Their
geographical position alone frees
them from considerations which 9TH
er nations must regard. They offer
no advice. But / may say to you
that they hope and that they fer
ventiy pray that peace may soon
De reached-not peace of mere
contrivanee and arrangement based
primarily on force, for that would
merely be the prelude to another
war, but a peace which contains the
elements Of permanency-a peace
which VIII deserve and receive the
moral support of mankind because it
Is just.
And they. believe that such a
peace can come in only one way. 1t
must be based upon the assumption
OF good faith by all who participate
In 1t. That assumption may be larg-
err or 1t may be smaller, but in pro-
portion as men seek to eliminate it
altogether their work will be In vain.
For now. as always. peace can come
only through mutual and hopeful en-.
oeavor. Peace Is an adventure in