PRESIDENT WILSON'S REPLY.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LX, Issue 17074, 30 August 1917, Page 5

PRESIDENT WILSON'S REPLY.

A NOBLE "UTTERANCE.

Received August 29, 10.55 p.m

WASHINGTON, August 28

. President Wilson's reply says: Every heart is touched by the dignity and force of the Pope's moving appeal, but the response must be based on firm facts. The Pope does npt desire a mere cessation of arms, but a stable, enduring peace so that the agony must not be gone through again. After summarising the Pope's proposals, President Wilson continues: It in manifest that no part of the programme can be carried out unless restitution of'the status Quo furnishes a firm and satisfactory basis. Our object is to deliver free peoples from the menace of the actual power of a vast military establishment controlled by an irresponsible government which secretly planned to dominate the world and tried to carry out its plan without regard to treaties of international honour. Germany chose her own time tor the war. She struck fiercely and suddenly and stopped at no barrier, either of law or mercy. She swept the Continent in a tide of blood. It is not our business, how the German people came under a ruthless master, but we must see that the rest of the world is not left to the mercy of the German Government. We think the Pope's plan would involve the recuperation of the German Government's strength, which would necessitate a permanent combination of the nations against Germany and result in abandoning the new-born Russia to intrigue.

Mr Wilson concluded: Can peace be based on the restitution of German power, or any word of honour pledged by Germany ? Peace cannot rest on political and economic restrictions designed to benefit some nations and embarrass others. The American people have suffered intolerable wrongs at th e hands c Ovormany, but we do not desire va,: ■■■<■■■ against' the German people. : ould rest on the rights of peopic.~-■-• ;t Governments ;—upon the rights at nil peoples to freedom, security and self-government,;and participation upon fair terms in economic opportunities. We include the German people if they accept equulity. Not to seek domination is the test of every peace plan, whether based on the faith of Popes or only the wo"d of ambitious and intriguing Governments. The 'United States' aim is -clearly stated. We believe the intolerable wrongs done by the German Government ought to be repaired, but not at the expense of the sovereignty of any people. We deem it inexpedient, and in the end worse than futile, such proposals as punitive damages, "dismemberment of empire, or the establishment of a selfish, exclusive -economic league. We cannot take the word of the present rulers of Germany as a guarantee of anything enduring, unless' it is explicitly supported by conclusive evidence of the will and purpose of the German people. Without such guarantees, treaties, agreements, covenants, and territorial adjustments, if made by Germany, could not be depended upon. We must await new evidence of the purpose of the people of the Central Empires. God grant it may be given soon.