1918] Knell of the Dark Ages 



countries justify the supposition that already now conciHation 

 might be achieved by negotiation, we recommend that the Dutch 

 Government -publicly take steps towards mediation. 



In my reply I acknowledged the universal demand AMiocracy 

 for peace, doubting, however, whether the organiza- '«^o'«?'''- 

 tion of the German government under autocratic Vuhdviu- 

 milltary control was consistent with any league of ^^'''°« 

 nations, for enduring peace must rest on mutual 

 confidence and common obedience to law. The 

 German formula, "victory in a war forced upon us," 

 could not be accepted in any degree, as neither of 

 the two assertions was consistent with fact. Frank 

 acceptance of the terms laid down by the President 

 would bring peace at once. This must be no matter 

 of give and take, conquests balanced against con- 

 quests, but based on consideration of general human 

 welfare. 1 



Preceded by the downfall of the Kaiser and of the 

 military system of which he was the visible head, the 

 Armistice seemed to promise an era of good will and 

 the restoration of distracted Europe. The personal i^ot 

 hopes of my wife and myself were embodied in a ^J^^'^^^ 

 message we sent out to our friends: Liberation 



On this nth day of November, 1918, the bells of the whole 

 world are sounding the knell of the Dark Ages. Everywhere 

 humanity is awakening as from a hideous nightmare while the 

 last ramparts of tyranny crumble, the last shackles of medieval- 

 ism drop away. To every people on earth opens the door to 

 freedom. Not Victory but Liberation thrills the world heart 

 today. 



1 For full text, see Appendix K (page 821). 



C 757 3 



