We are fighting for the liberty, self-government and the undictated
development of all peoples, and every feature of the settlement that
concludes this war must be conceived and executed for that purpose.
Wrongs must first be righted and then adequate safeguards must be
created to prevent their being committed again. We ought not to
consider remedies merely because they have a pleasing and sonorous
sound. Practical questions can be settled only by practical means.
Phrases will not accomplish the result. Effective readjustments will;
and whatever readjustments are necessary must be made.
But they must follow a principle, and that principle is plain:
No people must be forced under sovereignty under which it does not
wish to live.
No territory must change hands except for the purpose of securing
those who inhabit it a fair chance of life and liberty.
No indemnities must be insisted on except those that constitute
payment for manifest wrongs done.
No readjustments of power must be made except such as will tend to
secure the future peace of the world and the future welfare and
happiness of its peoples.
And then the free peoples of the world must draw together in some
common covenant, some genuine and practical co-operation, that will
in effect combine their force to secure peace and justice in the
dealings of nations with one another. The brotherhood of mankind must
no longer be a fair but empty phrase; it must be given a structure of
force and reality. The nations must realize their common life and
effect a workable partnership to secure that life against the
aggressions of autocratic and self-pleasing power.
For these things we can afford to pour out blood and treasure. For
these are the things we have always professed to desire, and unless
we pour out blood and treasure now and succeed, we may never be able
to unite or show conquering force again in the great cause of human
liberty. The day has come to conquer or submit. If the forces of
autocracy can divide us, they will overcome us; if we stand together,
victory is certain and the liberty which victory will secure.
We can afford, then, to be generous, but we cannot afford then or now
to be weak or omit any single guarantee of justice and security.
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