On the surface the
United States pledged itself to protect its ships and make secure the
lives of its citizens on the highways of the world, but the principles
for which the manhood of the country were called to fight have been
summarized as follows:

That the nations of the world shall co-operate and not compete. The
paradox of history is that every struggle leads to firmer unity. Wars
cemented France, unified the British Empire, consolidated the American
Union.

That national armaments be limited to purposes of internal police, no
nation be allowed to have a force sufficient to be a menace to general
peace, and a League of Peace be formed which shall have at its hand
sufficient armed power to compel order among the States.

That nations be governed by the people that compose them, and for the
benefit of those people, and not of a ruling class.

That every nation be governed with an eye to the welfare of the whole
world as well as to its own prosperity or glory, and patriotism properly
subjected to humanity.

That the power of government be dissociated from advancing the profits
of capital, and made always to mean the welfare of labor.

That security of life, freedom of worship and opinion, and liberty of
movement be assured to all men everywhere.

That no munitions or instruments of death be manufactured except under
control of the International Council of the World.

That the seas be free to all.

That tariffs be adjusted with a view to the general welfare and not as
measures of national rivalry.

That railways, telegraph, and telephone lines, and all other common and
necessary means of intercommunication be eventually nationalized.

That every human being in a country be conscripted to devote a certain
part of his or her life to national service.

That both labor unions and combinations of capital be under strict
government control, so that no irresponsible group may conspire against
the commonwealth.

That every child receive training to equip him or her for self-support
and intelligent citizenship.

That woman shall enjoy every right of citizenship.

That the civil shall always have precedence over the military authority.

And that the right of free speech, of a free press, and of assembly
shall remain inviolate.

CHAPTER VI.

THE THINGS THAT MADE MEN MAD.

GERMANY'S BARBARITY--THE DEVASTATION OF BELGIUM--HUMAN FIENDS--FIREBRAND
AND TORCH--RAPE AND PILLAGE--THE SACKING OF LOUVAIN--W