Page:The heart of Europe; an address delivered by Charles Pergler in Washington, December 11, 1916, at a conference of oppressed or dependent nationalities (IA heartofeuropeadd00pergrich).pdf/14

yar chivalry and Magyar fairness is finally being dispelled. The world now understands that Hungary is governed by an Asiatic oligarchy of Magyar nobility, under whose régime the Slovaks have suffered, and are even now undergoing, a veritable martyrdom. For the purposes of my remarks knowledge of these facts may and must be taken for granted. The condition of dependent or oppressed nationalities presents a problem which no country, least of all the United States, can afford to ignore, not merely as a matter of abstract justice and righteousness, but in its own interest. The causes of the present war are manifold, but no one will gainsay that one of the contributing factors to its outbreak was the failure properly to solve and adjust the mutual relations of European nationalities, large and small. The war shall have been fought in vain if it does not lead to a solution of these problems. Failure to solve them aright will keep alive sparks from which will be kindled in no distant future another devastating conflagration. The President of the United States in a recent speech declared this to be the last war during which this country could remain neutral. The purpose of this conference is said to be the formulation of public opinion on these questions. If we are to be successful in our aim, we must first define at least the fundamental principle, or principles, upon which we may all agree. This foundation for future discussion undoubtedly is what has become known as the principle of nationality, or, in other words, the principle that each nation, no matter how small, numerically speaking, has the right to govern itself according to its