AIM OF THE WAR.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 July 1918, Page 3

AIM OF THE WAR.

AMERICA’S CONCEPTION

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPYRIGHT.]

(Reuter’s Telegram.)

(Received This Day at 9.25 a.m.) WASHINGTON, July 4th

President Wilson speaking at Mount Vernon celebration on Independence Day, gave America’s conception of the great struggle therein she is engaged On the one' hand stand the people of the world, the people stricken of Russia still among the rest, though they for the moment are unorganised and helpless. Opposed to them the masters of many armies stand in au isolated, friendless group of Governments' who speak for no common purpose, but only a selfish ambition of their own, by which none can profit, hut themselves, whose people are fuel in their hands, disposing of the lives and fortunes of every people who fall in their power. The Government are clothed in trappings of a primeval age and authority of an age altogether alien to our own. There can be but one issue. The set-, tlement must be final. There can he no compromise and no halfway decision is conceivable. These are the ends for which the associated peoples of the world ure fighting, which must ho conceded ' to them before there can he peace:—First—Tlie destruction of every arbitrary power anywhere that can separately, secretly and of its single choice disturb the peace of the world, or if it cannot he presented destroyed at least its reduction to virtual impotence.

Second, —The settlement of every question, whether of territory, sovereignity, economic arrangement or political relationship, upon tho basis of a free acceptance of that settlement by the people immediately concerned, not upon a basis of material interest or the advantage to any other nation or people Which may desire a different settlement for the sake of their own exterior influence or mastery. Third —The consent of all nations to be governed in their conduct toward each other by the same principles of honour and respect for the common law of civilised society, as that governing individual citizens and all modern states and in their relations with one another, to the end that all promises and covenants may he sacredly observed, and or private plots or conspiracies hatched, and no selfish Tnjury wrought with impunity and a mutual trust established upon the handsome foundation of mutual respect for right.

Fourth—The establishment of an oiganisation of peace which shall make certain that the combined power of the free nations will check every invasion and help to make peace and justice more secure, by affording a definite tribunal of opinion to which all must submit, and by which every international re-adjustment that cannot amicably hr agreed upon by the peoples directly concerned, shall be sanctioned. These great, objects can be put into single sentences. What wo seek is a reign of law, based upon the consent of the governed, aihl sustained by the organised opinion of mankind.