LAD#31

President Wilson’s Fourteen Points, January 8, 1918

Once more spokesmen of the Central Empires have indicated a desire to discuss the possible basis of a general peace, but the Central Empires offer no concessions and seem to want to keep every foot of territory that their armed forces have occupied.  The Russian representatives were sincere and in earnest, but they cannot entertain such proposals of conquest and domination.

The adversaries of the Central Powers are clear on the principle and details of a general peace.  Germany and her allies have failed to make such definite statements.

The United States wishes to help Russia attain their hope of liberty and ordered peace.

It is our will and purpose that the processes of peace, when begun, shall be open and will not involve secret understandings of any kind.

The only possible program, as the United States sees it, is this:

- Diplomacy shall always proceed in the public view, with no private understandings.  

- Free navigation upon the seas except when closed by international action

- Removal of all economic barriers and equality of trade among all nations

- National armaments reduced to support only domestic safety

- Impartial adjustment of colonial claims which include the interests of the populations concerned

- Evacuation and restoration of all invaded territories (Russian, Belgium, France, Romania, Serbia, Montenegro)

- Readjustment of the frontiers of Italy along lines of nationality

- The peoples of Austria-Hungary should be accorded autonomous development

- The relations of several Balkan states to one another determined along historically established lines of allegiance and nationality

- Other nationalities under Turkish rule should be assured opportunity of autonomous development

- An independent Polish state should be erected

- A general association of nations must be formed to assure political independence and territorial integrity to all states

We do not wish to injure Germany or block in any way her legitimate influence or power.  We wish her only to accept a place of equality among the peoples of the world, instead of a place of mastery.