ational guarantees._

The horrible rule of the Turks over subject peoples must cease. The
Turks, as well as all other peoples, should be allowed the right of
self-government. But their subject peoples must also be protected in
their lives, property, and occupations, and given an opportunity to
establish self-government when they desire it. The Dardanelles strait
must be taken out of the power of the Turks, and placed under the
control of the associated nations.

13. _An independent Polish state should be erected which should include
the territories inhabited by indisputably Polish populations, which
should be assured a free and secure access to the sea, and whose
political and economic independence and territorial integrity should be
guaranteed by international covenant._

A nation composed of Poles would imply the union of parts of Russia,
Prussia, and Austria, since all of these three countries took part in
the infamous partition of Poland in the eighteenth century. Access to
the Baltic Sea would be necessary for the prosperity and independence of
the new state. But such access could be gained only across territory
which Prussia has held for a century and a half. The associated nations
would guarantee the independence of Poland in the same way that they
would protect Belgium, Serbia, and the other states erected upon the
principle of national self-government.

14. _A general association of nations must be formed under specific
covenants for the purpose of affording mutual guarantees of political
independence and territorial integrity to great and small states alike._

This is the most important of the President's suggestions. Without some
form of a league of nations it will be impossible to adopt and carry out
the other terms of the President's program. International guarantees, so
frequently mentioned in his proposals, imply some means by which the
countries of the world can act together for their common purposes.
Restoration of devastated lands, disarmament, new democratic
governments, freedom of commerce,--all of these things will remain
nothing but rainbow hopes unless the large and small nations of the
world unite for their realization. A League of Nations, more or less
regularly organized, must be formed if the democracies of the world
shall be made safe from future wars of aggression.

SUGGESTIONS FOR STUDY.--1. Why are waters within three
miles of shore considered as territorial waters? (See _War