The Daily News. SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, 1918. PRESIDENT WILSON'S MESSAGE.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 January 1918, Page 4

The Daily News. SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, 1918. PRESIDENT WILSON'S MESSAGE.

Following as it does so closely on the recent pronouncement by tiTe British Premier, the message which President Wilson has just presented to Congress completes to the last detail a full and frank statement of the Allies' war aims. The President's previous statement on tht same subject was a masterly production, showing great breadth of view and a keen insight anent the many questions involved in the present struggle, but this second review is even more comprehensive and far-seeing than its predecessor. The concise statement of facts, the logical reasoning and the outspoken comments on the various phases of the aims of the Allies and their adversaries are all remarkable for lucidity and fairness, being, therefore, pre-eminently applibable to the delicate task which he has carried out with such consummate ability and statesmanship. In the absence of the full text of the message wo have to rely on what appears to be an excellent cabled summary. Probably the most characteristic, portion of the message is that in v ..ieli Dr. Wilson expresses warm sympathy with the Russian people in their new born freedom. It is akin to the hearty grip of friendship between the head of one gTeat democratic nation and the teeming millions of another nation which has also 'become democratic but is in the throes of a mighty upheaval, and need 9 wise counsels and sympathetic advice in the shaping of its destiny. Behind this momentous message arc a hundred million people whose aim, are voiced by President Wilson, so that its force should be felt with telling effect.

initial reference to the Brest Litovale conference showed, a strong faith in the honesty of purpose of the Russian delegates as exemplified in the principles on which they were prepared to conclude peace and of the concrete application of those principles. It is this sympathy with Russia which seems to ifae one of the main objects of the message, and does credit alike to his heart and his democratic principles. One great fact stands out prominently ih this masterly production, namely "there is no confusion, of counsel among the adversaries of the Entente Powers, no uncertainty nf principles, no vagueness of detail," while it is the Central Powers who fail to make a definite statement of the objects of the war. How can they do so with any approach to truth? They started a war of domination and when foiled, invented the falsehood that they were forced into the war, and now the lie comes home to roost. Germany does not want a lasting peace; she is striving desperately for an armistice that will give her time to recuperate before making another outspilling of the blood of the nations, and that is why Germany cannot and dare not say what are her real aims. Much as we deplore the defection of Russia and the state of anarchy which now exists in that country. President Wilson is undoubtedly entitled to commendation for the generous expression of the heartfelt desire of the American democracy to be privileged to assist the people of Russia to attain their utmost hope of liberty and ordered peace. There is no equivocation in President Wilson's statement as to why America entered the war—"because violating of rights-occurred which touched us to the quick and made the life of our people impossible unless they were corrected and the world secured once and for all against-their recurrence." That is the crux of the whole matter con-, nected with peace negotiations, for all the world is interested in seeing justice prevailinsteadselfish ag-

gression. 'Coming to the President's peace proposals, it is at once apparent they liave undergone no change. He is adamant on the general principles, previously enunciated. Hrieily, the essentials may be stated as open, honest, and just dealings between the nations, with perfect freedom of the seas and 'of trade, the reduction of national armaments to the lowest point consistent with domestic safety and an impartial adjustment of colonial claims based on the wishes and interests of the populations. Tk- also insists on a general evacuation of occupied territory, the restoration of Belgium without any attempt to limit the sovereignity she enjoys; French territory to he freed, the! invaded portions restored, including Al-sace-Lorraine; the readjustment of the Italian frontiers along clearly recognisable lines of nationality; autonomous development in Austria-Hungary; the independence of Poland; free access to the sea for Serbia; territorial integrity for the Balkan States; Turkish rule to be confined to the purely Turkish portions of the Ottoman Empire, with unmolested opportunity for autonomous development of the other portions; the Dardanelles to he an open seaway. In fact, justice to all peoples and nationalities—weak or strong.. As to Germany, she must be content with a position of equality, instead of a place of mastery. It is for these principles of liberty and justice that the Americans are prepared to go on fighting until they are achieved. From a Dominion point of view the only point in President Wilson's views that calls for alteration is as regards the German colonies. In view of the Pan-Ger-man clamor not only for the restoretino of the lost possessions, but the acquisition of others we should have preferred a straight-out affirmation that restoration of the colonies was out of the question, hut their value might be taken into account when final adjustments are made in connection with compensation for wilfiu damage and destruction committed by Germany during the war. In all other respects the principles enunciated are such as should meet with general acceptance, always provided that Germany becomes democratised.