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Show PALAVER USELESS. Count Czernin, whose recent speech on the subject of peace was hailed as a step in the right direction and also as a token that the Austro-Hungarians were ready to quit the war, has told the Rumanian premier in the peace negotiations nego-tiations now in progress that, unless Rumania yielded she was to be crushed; but that if she ceded Dobrudja and agreed to rectification of her boundaries, boun-daries, she might preserve her integrity integ-rity and her present ruling dynasty. This is tho same Czernin wdio was supposed sup-posed to be itching for peace negotiations negotia-tions with the entente allies and the United States. He would treat with us because we aro rich and powerful, but he would crush the life out of smaller nations unless they part with territory and submit to the German and Austrian militarists. , Although the United States was fully justified in entering the war on account ac-count of the many injuries and indignities indigni-ties suffered at the hands, of the Teutons, Teu-tons, we have taken high ground and declared it to be our purpose to prevent further oppression of the weak by the strong and to protect the small nations na-tions from their larger and more powerful pow-erful neighbors. Wo cannot help Rumania Ru-mania at the present moment while she is being ground down by tho Austrinns led by Count O.crnin, becnuse it is a physical impossibility to march to her relief. Hut if we are successful in our war for democracy, tho territorial boundaries fixed by the Germans and Austrian!) will bo obliterated; tho iron heel of tho oppresuor will bo removed from the breast of ancient Poland; the territory ravished from Rumania will bo returned; Serbia, Montenegro and Helpium will be rehabilitated; Turkey will be compelled to disgorge; Italy will get back her lost province and Alsace Lorraine be restored to I'miiee. In fuct, wn shall unloose all Mi' nations who have been under Ihe Tfiton thrall. At least Mini is nlial we have said we would do and there has been no curtailment cur-tailment of the programme up to the present time. Under such circumstances there does not appear to be any good grounds for discussing pence at this time or to load down the, cables with speeches delivered deliv-ered by Von Hertling, Von Kuehlmaun, Von Seydler and Count Czernin. Fair words from such sources do not mean anything to us and President Wilson has declared that the nations fighting for democracy would never enter into peace negotiations with an autocratic ruler not responsible to the people for his acts. So let us pursue to the end the course we have marked out and continue the war until the Teutonic races have been thoroughly subjugated. These races do not consider themselves bound by treaties or the laws of God and man, and their motto is might makes right. The only way to reason with them is by means employed on the battlefields. They will know when they are whipped and make the necessary neces-sary signs of surrender. There need be no long-winded negotiations. In other words, wo should treat them as they art treating littlo Rumania. |