PRESIDENT WILSON RAVING ON PEACE.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 126, 29 May 1916, Page 5

PRESIDENT WILSON RAVING ON PEACE.

A COUNCIL OF ASSOCIATED NATION URGED. TO STOP NATIONS BREAKING TREATIES. NO DOMINEERING OVER SMALLER STATES. AMERICA IS READY TO CO-OPERATE FOR PEACE. (Reed. 9.10 am.). WASHINGTON, May 28. President Wilson, addressing the League to Enforce Peace, said America was ready to join any feasible association of nations preserve the peace of the world against political ambition and selfish hostility. He ♦hoped that America would make suggestions of peace if opportunity presented; the people would wish the Government to urge:—Firstly—such settlement with regard to their own immediate interests as belligerents may agre e upon. We have nothing to ask for ourselves, our interest is only in peace and its future guarantee. Secondly—That a universal association of nations be inaugurated to maintain inviolable security on the highways of the seas, for common and unhindered use of all the nations of the world, and to prevent any war from beginning either contrary to treaty covenants, or without warning and after full submission of the causes to the opinion of the world, these to be virtual guarantee of territorial integrity and political independence. The fundamentals of a lastingpeace were:—Firstly, the right of every people to choose the sovereignty whereunder they will live. Secondly—that small states of the world have a right to enjoy the same respect for their sovereignity and for territorial integrity as that great and powerfu I nations expect and insist upon. Thirdly— The world has a right to be free from the disturbance which originates in aggression and the disregard of the rights of nations. The outstanding lesson of the war is that the peace u£ the world must depend onJ new and more wholesome diplomacy. H e was sur( ' he spoke for America when he said, we are willing to become a partner to any feasible association of nations formed in order to realise these objects, and to secure them against violation. He was convinced th e world was approaching the day when some common force would be created in the service of common order, common justice, and the common peace. The desire of the world now turn s more and more eagerly towards a hope for peace. There is just reason why we should take part in a Council upon this great theme, and it is right that I, as spokeman for our government, express frankly and thoroughly the purpose of the people of America. Our own rights as a nation, lour liberties, privileges and property have been profoundly affected. We are not mere discontented onlookers. The longer war lasts the deeper we are concerned that it shall h? ended, and the world permitted to resume its normal life. When it does end. we are as much concerned us to see permanent peace in the interests of all nations, as well as ours. What affects mankini is inevitably our affair; nations 'must in future be governed with th> same high code of honour we demand of individuals. All nations of the world should co-cperatQ in the common cause, whereof the genuine principle is to be evenhanded and impartial justice. God grant that the dawn of the day of frank dealing, peace, concord, and co-operation may be near at hand.