pleaded for
arbitration, conference, consultation, to avert this fearful conflict of
arms. But it was in vain.

The United States of America, forced by the flagrant violation of its
neutral rights to take an active part in the war, and led by its vital
sympathies to the side of the Allies, committed by honor and conscience
to the duty of fighting for a real peace of mankind, must carry on this
war until its humane and democratic object is attained. To do less than
that would be to renounce our place as a great nation, to deny our faith
as Americans, and to expose our country to incalculable peril and
disaster.

But now that all the nations of the earth have begun to realize the
horror of this abominable German war, and to desire its ending, it is
necessary for us, in conjunction with our friends of peaceful and
democratic purpose, to consider, first, the conditions under which peace
may be discussed with the Imperial German Government, and, second, the
terms on which a peace may possibly be concluded.

II
THE CONDITIONS OF A PEACE CONFERENCE

We should distinguish clearly between the conditions which must be
fulfilled before we can honorably enter into any talk of peace with our
adversary, the begetter and beginner of this war; and the terms which
the Allies and the United States and the other nations at war with
Germany would put forward in such a conversation as a just and durable
basis for the establishment of peace.

This distinction is essential. The conditions are antecedent and
indispensable. Until they are fulfilled we cannot talk with the enemy,
except in the language which he has chosen and forced upon us--the stern
tongue of battle by land and sea.

Germany grandiloquently claims to be the first to propose a
peace-conference as a substitute for the horrors of war. (See the
Kaiser's note of December 12, 1916. [Footnote 9])

[Footnote 9: This note contains not the slightest reference to the
nature of the suggested peace. Its tone conforms to the orders which the
Kaiser issued to his army on the same day: "Under the influence of the
victory which you have gained by your bravery, I and the monarchs of the
three states in alliance with me have made an offer of peace to the
enemy. It is uncertain whether the object at which this offer is aimed
will be reached. You will have meanwhile, with God's help, to continue
to resist and defeat the enemy." It was not a proposal of peace. It was
a proclamation