MR WILSON’S SPEECH.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 April 1918, Page 1

MR WILSON’S SPEECH.

AFTER ONE YE ATE r AUSTRALIAN it N.Z. CARI.B ASSOCIATION it RKUTF.iI.J

NEW YORK, April 7. .Mr "Wilson’s speech at Baltimore was tlu' occasion of the celebration, of America’s acceptance of Germany's challenge to fight and the inauguration of the Liberty War Loan. The President declared the nation was awake and there was tn> need to call. It kue.w tlie war must cost the utmost sacrifices of the lives of our best- men and if need he, all we possess. The people were ready to lend their utmost even where it meant sharp skimping, and daily sacrifices'. The cause we are lighting for-stands more sharply revealed now than ever before. America’s way now is more sure than ever before. The cause is their own, and if it should be lost, their own great nations place and mission in the world will he lost. He reminded his audience that ho had never judged Germany’s purposes intemperately. He would be ashamed to speak with turbulence and weak language of hatred or vindictive purpose. Me sought to learn the objects of Germany from her own spokesman, and to deal frankly with them, as he wished them to deal with him. America proposed no injustice. and no agression. She was ready whenever the final reckoning was made to he just, to the Gorman people and deal fairly with German power. Gorin aif leaders have answered in unmistnkoablo terms, that not justice but dominion and unhindered execution of their own will, is what they want. This avowal had not come from Germany’s statesmen, but 'from her military leaders, who arc her real rulers. After reviewing the various German peace offers, he compared them with their actions in v Russia, Finland, ami 'rise where. which followed these pro"ession. Thee actions proclaimed a

very different conclusion to such profession. Are we not justified in believing they would do the same things on their western front, if not face face with armies which the'., countless divisions cannot overcome. II ■' hen they have felt their cheek fo be final, they should propose favourable equitable terms iu ro'mrd to Belgium. France and Italy, could they blame ns if we concluded they did so oidv to assure themselves of a free baud in Russia and the East. Their purposes arc undoubtedly to make all Slavic peonies all free, ambitious nations of the Baltic Peninsula, and all lands that Tur-’-ny lias dominated and misruled

iect to their will ami ambition, and to build upon that dominion an Empire of force, whereupon they fancy they can erect an Empire of crain and fin rime rcial supremacy, an Empire as hostile to America as to Europe, which it will over-awe, an empire which ultimately will master Persia, Tudia and the "•copies of the Far East. -Mr Wilson added that the programme would bo carried out by America aid all who care for or dare to stand ivith her must arm themselves to congest the mastery of the world, a tnasery wherein the rights of men, women, and all who are weak enough, must ior the time being, lie trodden under food in the long struggle for freedom and the right to begin again. He was ready, even now, to discuss a fair, just honest peace if it wore put forward .vith sincere purpose, but the answer when he proposed such a peace, came from tlie German commanders in Russia and the meaning of power could not be mistaken. Therefore he accepted the challenge, and I know you accept it. All the world shall know you accept the answer. It shall'Uppear in the utter sacrifice of self and forgetfulness with which wo shall give all tint we love, and all we have, to r°!K u the world and make it fit ior freemen, like ourselves, ’to live in. My fellow countrymen, (henceforth let everything we do to' accomplish ring true to this response, till majesty and might of our concerted powers fill the tliought and utterly defeat the force of those who flout and misprize what we honour and hold dear. Therefore but one response is possible from us—force, force to the utmost,' force without stint, or limit, the righteous and triumphant force which shall make right tho law of the world and east every selfish dominion down in tho dust.

AMERICA'S AIM. LONDON April 7. Tin* Press Bureau states President Wilson replying to the King expresses his gratification at the generous mesage. lie adileil—We eoiithum x '' do out utmost to put the whole ioree ol United - States into the great- struggle.