AMERICA'S AIMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 February 1918, Page 2

AMERICA'S AIMS.

MB. WILSON TO REPLY. ? AUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATIONj’ Received, this day at 8.45 a.m. WASHINGTON, Feb. 11. . Mr. Wilson addressing Congress, said United States did not desire to interfere in European affairs and was disinclined & take advantage of internal disorders to impose her- will on other people.. Mr Wilson will answer Hertling before Congress' at 0,2.30. today. STATEMENT BY MR WILSQNReceived, this day at 8.45 a.m. WASHINGTON February 11. Mr. Wilson holds that he can dis--cuss a general peace, based on justiceto each part in settlement of territor--ial settlements for the interests of population concerned. Mr Wilson declares that until the war of emancipation has been achieved, on the basis of the peoples freedom, the United States will continue to fight. FURTHER VIEWS. I AMERICA’S STRONG STAND.. (Received. This Day at 8.50'. a.m.) WASHINGTON, Feb. 11. Dr Woodrow Wilson in his Congress speech, opposed Herr Graf von Her filing’s and Count Czernin’s policies, but said lie conceived that Czernin saw clearly- the fundamentals for a permanent peace. Austria, seeing the necessity of. conceding the essential principles and - applying therii, can respond to the United States programme with less embarrassment than Germany. Mr Wiisbn said we cannot turn baete to the basis of Hertling’s proposals, America is' ready to' be" shown that the terms of settlements she suggests a not the best. All well defined national aspirations will be accorded all the' satisfaction possible without irilroduc--ing new, or perpetuating of old diSSnrd--ant elements likely to break the wOtfld' peace. The war started from a dis- 1 I regard of the rights of small j nations, and convenants. We must make this impossible in future. Hertling cannot expect this to go unaltered while he demands the international settlement of economic questions. A general peace can he dismissed only, if based on justice, equality of peoples* and national autonomy. \ FURTHER EXPRESSIONS. OF MR WILSON'S VIEWS. f ATTSTR ILIAN <fc N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION^ (■Received This Day at 10.15. a.m.} «. WASHINGTON, Feb.,ll. Mr Wilson condemned Hertling’s speech, which was vague and confusing, and full of unequivocal phrases, but he welcomed Count Czernin’s statement for its friendly tone. / Mr Wilson declared that no annexations, no contributions and no punitive charges are essential factors in the discussion of peace, but we don’t want % peace made of shreds and patches. He doubts whether the belligerents will find, is possible to continue to compare their views. They were: Firstly—That erneh part of the finaF settlement must be based upon e.wmiiall justice. Secondly The peoples’ and provincesought not to be bartered about like chattels in order to maintain the balance’ of power; Thirdly— Territorial settlements must be for the peoples’ benefit, not merely adjustments of rival States’ claims. Fourthly—Well defined national aspirations must lie accorded all possible satisfaction. Until a general peace on such terms is possible, United States must continue to fight. Everyone concerned admitted these principles, except the military autevcrats in Germany FAVOURABLE TO CZERNIN’S SPEECH. (fb'ceiv ’ This Dav at 11.25. a.m.) WASHINGTON, Feb. 11. , Mr Wilson said Czernin had adopted a friendly tone, and seemed to'see the fundamentals of. peace with clear eyes, and was not seeking to obscure them. Czernin probably would have gone further if Austria had not been embarrassed by her alliances, or was not dependent so largely upon Germany. United, States will continue to the end because the war is really one of emancipation.

SPEECH WELL RECEIVED

AATERTCA’S ATTITUDE—FIGHT ON. WASHINGTON, Feb. 11.

The soeech hod a most favourable reception, and is likely to gain countrywide approval. It K interpreted to mean that the main purpose of America is to drive the wedge further between Germany and Austria.

Mr Wilson said peace was impossible on HertTing’s basis. The militarists in Germany nrefer to send a million to death, rather than accept a just peace. America ;had suffered indignities inflicted by Germany, and there cannot be peace until the cause of the war is removed.