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SAINT LOUIS POST-DISPATCH -- 6- 11- 17

AWAKE, AMERICANS!
It is difficult to select from the brief but pregnant
note on American war aims sent by President
Wilson to Russia through the American
commission, but the meat of the message for
Russia especially and for the United States lies
in several sentences. Among them are these:

We are fighting for the liberty, tbe 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.

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.

These phrases are general, but the application
is specific. We are not fighting for democracy
and self-government in Russia, Britain, France
or Italy alone, but for democracy and self-government
in America. We are not fighting for justice
and liberty for our allies alone, but for justice
and liberty for ourselves.

If the nations allied in war against the autocracies
of the central Powers do not win together
they will be conquered and bound or will have
to fight separately, with one-tenth of the chance
of victory and 10 times the sacrifice of blood and
treasure. The world including America will be
dominated by a powerful autocracy and will live
under subjection or in terror of its arms and
aims.

The battle is America's as well be Russia's
and Britain's and France's. We must win or suffer
with them the direful consequences of defeat.

As to the aims of the war, the President holds
to a fundamental principle which underlies democracy.
He says that principle is plain and defines
it in its practical application:

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 is effect combine their force to secure
peace and justice in the dealings of nations
with one another.

The wayfaring man, though a fool, can understand
this simple, direct statement of the issues
and aims of the war from the American standpoint.
He can understand also the necessity of
our putting in all the might we have at the earliest
possible moment, with all the might our
allies have, to assure success. The full responstbility
for the outcome rests upon each nation.
The stakes are equal.

The appeal to America is as strong as to Russia,
stronger because our forces are intelligent
and organized. Our might means all the men
money and supplies that are needed for victory.

It means the quick success of the Liberty
Loan.

It means the quick success of recruiting
drafting and army training.

It means vast production of food, ships and
war supplies.

As the President says, If we do not now succeed,
"we may never be able to unite or show conquering
force again in the great cause of human liberty"—
our liberty.

AWAKE, AMERICANS!