Appendix A: Points, Principles, Particulars, and Ends

I give here in full the Points, the Principles, the Particulars, and the Ends with which President Wilson proclaimed his crusade and which most naturally loomed large on the horizon of the Oppressed Nationalities, who, coming to Paris in great numbers, hailed our President as their Messiah.

The Points

V. A free, open, and absolutely impartial adjustment of all colonial claims, the interests of the populations being equally considered with the equitable claims of the governments.

IX. Readjustment of Italy’s frontiers along clearly recognizable lines of nationality.

XI. Restoration of the Balkan States and international guarantees of their independence and integrity.

XIII. Polish independence on a racial basis, with access to the sea and international guarantees.

The Principles

II. No more bartering of peoples and provinces as mere chattels and pawns in a game.

III, IV. Every territorial settlement to be made in the interests of the populations concerned and (4) utmost satisfaction to all well-defined national aspirations.

The Particulars

I. Impartial justice to all without discrimination.

III. No leagues or alliances within the general and common family of the League.

The Ends

I. The destruction of any arbitrary power anywhere … that can disturb the peace of the world.

II. Settlement of every question on the basis of a free acceptance by the peoples immediately concerned.

IV. The establishment of an organization of peace to check every invasion of rights.

1946

More often than the Fourteen Points and the supplementary injunctions, it seemed to me that the words which Wilson spoke to the Council of Worker and Soldier Delegates when they took control in Russia in 1917 were hailed by the suitors and suppliants who crowded the reception rooms of our Delegation as their compass and guiding star of hope. To these new men the President had cabled while Russia was in the birth pangs of a new national life:

“The day has come to conquer or submit. If the forces of autocracy can divide us, we shall be overcome. If we stand together, victory is certain and also the liberties which only victory can secure. … We are fighting for no selfish object but for the liberation of peoples everywhere from the aggression of autocratic forces.”

We did not stand together, and after much misery and travail the terrible battle with all its hideous losses had to be fought over again.