“the terms upon which war might be concluded.”  To these notes the Central Powers replied that they were ready to meet their antagonists in a peace conference; and Allied Powers answered by presenting certain conditions precedent to a satisfactory settlement.  On January 22, 1917, President Wilson in an address before the Senate, declared it to be a duty of the United States to take part in the establishment of a stable peace on the basis of certain principles.  These were, in short:  “peace without victory”; the right of nationalities to freedom and self-government; the independence of Poland; freedom of the seas; the reduction of armaments; and the abolition of entangling alliances.  The whole world was discussing the President’s remarkable message, when it was dumbfounded to hear, on January 31, that the German ambassador at Washington had announced the official renewal of ruthless submarine warfare.

THE UNITED STATES AT WAR

=Steps toward War.=—­Three days after the receipt of the news that the German government intended to return to its former submarine policy, President Wilson severed diplomatic relations with the German empire.  At the same time he explained to Congress that he desired no conflict with Germany and would await an “overt act” before taking further steps to preserve American rights.  “God grant,” he concluded, “that we may not be challenged to defend them by acts of willful injustice on the part of the government of Germany.”  Yet the challenge came.  Between February 26 and April 2, six American merchant vessels were torpedoed, in most cases without any warning and without regard to the loss of American lives.  President Wilson therefore called upon Congress to answer the German menace.  The reply of Congress on April 6 was a resolution, passed with only a few dissenting votes, declaring the existence of a state of war with Germany.  Austria-Hungary at once severed diplomatic relations with the United States; but it was not until December 7 that Congress, acting on the President’s advice, declared war also on that “vassal of the German government.”

=American War Aims.=—­In many addresses at the beginning and during the course of the war, President Wilson stated the purposes which actuated our government in taking up arms.  He first made it clear that it was a war of self-defense.  “The military masters of Germany,” he exclaimed, “denied us the right to be neutral.”  Proof of that lay on every hand.  Agents of the German imperial government had destroyed American lives and American property on the high seas.  They had filled our communities with spies.  They had planted bombs in ships and munition works.  They had fomented divisions among American citizens.

Though assailed in many ways and compelled to resort to war, the United States sought no material rewards.  “The world must be made safe for democracy.  Its peace must be planted upon the tested foundations of political liberty.  We have no selfish ends to serve.  We desire no conquest, no dominion.  We seek no indemnities for ourselves.”