LAD #25

15 February 2007
LAD: #25
President Woodrow Wilson's Fourteen Points

Gentlemen of the Congress:
To discuss the objects of the war and the possible basis of a general peace, we must now address the different opinions of both Russian representatives and representatives of the Central Powers. Our attention must now be focused into whether it may be possible to extend these parleys into a general conference with regard to terms of peace, and also to establish certain points in the interest of the United States of America and the World. It may be noted that the general principles of settlement which they at first suggested originated with the more liberal statesmen of Germany and Austria. Open covenants of peace and public diplomacy shall reign. In both war and peace absolute freedom of navigation upon the seas, outside territorial waters shall also be respected. Maintainment of all economic barriers and the establishment of an equality of trade conditions among all the nations shall also be observed. The consistency of domestic safety shall be respected through adequate guarantees given and taken that national armaments. With regard to colonial claims there shall be a free and absolutely impartial adjustment. Furthermore, in regards to Russian, French and Belgium territories, all areas will be excavated and restored. A readjustment of the frontiers of Italy should be effected, and the peoples of Austria-Hungary should be granted the fairest opportunities. Rumania, Serbia, and Montenegro should be evacuated; occupied territories restored; Serbia accorded free and secure access to the sea; and the relations of the several Balkan states to one another determined by friendly counsel. The Turkish portion of the present Ottoman Empire should be assured a secure sovereignty. And an independent Polish state should be erected. Finally, an association of nations will be created to afford mutual guarantees of political independence and territorial integrity to great and small states alike, demonstrating an international establishment.