Towards an enduring peace : $b A symposium of peace proposals and programs 1914-1916
History
Towards an enduring peace : $b A symposium of peace proposals and programs 1914-1916
Peace; World War, 1914-1918 -- Peace
(_A_) _Right of Nations to Decide Their Own Fate._—History demonstrates
that dispositions contrary to the wishes of the peoples concerned bring
with them the danger of future wars of liberation. Hence the acceptance
of these principles appears generally to be regarded as an essential
prerequisite to the satisfactory settlement of this war; namely, that
no transfer of territory should take place without the consent of the
population involved, and that nations should have the right to decide
their own fate.
It follows that the restoration of Belgium must first be agreed upon
before there can be an understanding between the belligerent powers.
Furthermore, the occupied French territory should be returned. A
reconsideration of the difficult Alsace-Lorraine question is also an
absolute necessity. The independence of Serbia and Montenegro should be
assured.
In its wider interpretation, the principle of the right of nations to
decide their own fate postulates the solution of a problem like the
Polish question by guaranteeing the union of the Polish nation as an
independent people. Further applications would be the adjustment of the
frontiers between Austria and Italy, as far as possible, according to
the principle of nationality; autonomy for Armenia under international
guarantee, and the solution of various national questions in the Balkans
and in Asiatic Turkey by international agreement.
(_B_) _Economic Guarantees._—Economic competition is generally admitted
to be one of the causes of the present war. Hence the demand becomes
more and more insistent that the economic activity of all peoples
should be afforded development on equal terms. The recognition of the
principle of the open door in the colonies, protectorates, and spheres
of influence would be an important step in this direction, as would also
the internationalization of certain waterways, e. g., the Dardanelles and
the Bosphorus. The German colonies ought to be returned, the exchange of
colonies made possible by satisfactory compensation, and Germany’s access
to the Near East guaranteed.
(_C_) _Freedom of the Seas._—The principle of the freedom of the seas
should be recognized.
(_D_) _Parliamentary Control of Foreign Policy._—Effective parliamentary
control of foreign policy should be established, so that secret treaties
and secret diplomacy may no longer endanger the most vital interests of
the nation.
(_E_) _International Organization._—Far more important, however, for
the welfare of humanity than the solutions thus far suggested is the
creation of an international organization, founded, upon law and justice,
which would include an agreement to submit all disputes between States
for peaceful settlement. Hence the almost universal opinion that in the
coming treaty of peace the principle of such an international order of
justice must be accepted.
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