The Commoner;
ill
Mi:
11 i.
Mr. Bryan and the Peace Movement
The Denver News, printing a report of Presi
dent Taft's speech at Denver, quotes the Presi
dent as saying: "The treaty provides for the
appointment by the two parties of three of its
nationales to constitute a joint high commis
sion. Tho joint high commission is to perform
first the duty of mediation, if I may use that
expression. Their action is to he advisory only.
That particular feature of the treaty was sug
gested to me, pending the consideration of tho
treaties, by Mr. Bryan.
"Tho learned majority of the committee of
tho senate thinks that, instead of being a good
thing, it will bo a probability of war. I do not
follow that logic at all.
"I am the last man to depreciate tho impor
tance of tho senate in our form of government.
I would maintain it always; it is one of the in
ventions of the fathers to secure sober judg
ment of tho people in government, and I am
not disposed in tho slightest to criticise or make
fun of tho sensatlveness of the senate in in
sisting upon what they claim to be their pre
rogatives, but their argument is not that they
have a prerogative to make this contract, but
there is an absence of a prerpgative on their
part to make this contract.
"They say that they must hold and decide
when the question arises whether it iff within
tho contract which they have signed.
"I am determined to present to the Ameri
can people the view which convinces me that to
say that the senate has not the power is to put
the United States in the rear rank of those who
are going forward to make treaties "which shall
help abolish war. The truth is the nations of
this world look to us to lead.
"There aro other treaties pending before the
senate that ought to be referred to, but time
hardly permits. I refer to the treaties that
enabled us to help the Central American govern
ment liquidate their debts with foreigners. Such
a treaty was made with Santo Domingo after a
very bitter controversy, in which your then
Senator Patterson stood up for the treaties and
finally brought about a confirmation- of tho
treaty with Santo Domingo that has now vindi
cated itself a thousand times.
"I am asking you to consider these questions
that are now pending in the senate upon treaties
which have been published to the world, and
use such influence as you have to bring about
their ratification, because I am confident that
the ratification of the general arbitration treaty
will be a great step toward bringing about per
manent business."
BEFORE THE INTER-PAKUABIENTAIIY
UNION
Mr. Bryan's speech before the inter-parliamentary
union at London, July 26, 1906, waB
as fallows:
Mr. President and Gentlemen of tho Inter-parliamentary
Union: I regret that I can not speak to
you In tho language which is usually employed In
this body, but I only lenow one language, tho lan
guago of my own country, and you will pardon mo
if I uso that. I deslro in tho first placo to ox-
gress my appreciation of tho courtesy shown mo
y Lord "Weardalo, our president, and by Baron von
Plener, tho chairman of tho committee which
framed tho model treaty. Tho latter has
framed this substitute embodying both of tho ideas
(investigation and mediation) which were pre
sented yesterday. I appreciate tho superior wis
dom and tho greater experiehco of this learned
committee which has united tho two propositions
and I thank this body also for tho opportunity to
say just a word in defense tof my part of tho
resolution. I can not say that it is a new idea,
for since It was presented yesterday I have learned
that tho same idea in substance was presented last
year at Brussels by Mr. Bartholdt, of my own coun-
try, who has been so conspicuous In his efforts to
promote peace, and I am very glad that I can fol
low in his footsteps in tho urging of this amend
ment. I may add also that it is in lino with tho
suggestion mado by tho honorable prime minister
of Great Britain, Sir Henry Campbell-Bannorman,
In that memorable and epoch-making speech of
yesterday, in that speech which contained several
sontences anyone of which would havo justified tho
Assembling of this intor-parllamontary union any
one of which would havo compensated us all for
coming hero. In that splendid speech ho expressed
tho hope that tho scope of arbitration treaties may
be enlarged. Ho said:
"Gentlemen, I fervently trust that before Jong
tho principle of arbitration may win such confi
dence as to justify its extension to a wider field
of International difference' "Wo havo already seen
how questions arousing , passion and excitement
havo attained a Solution, Vio necessarily by means
of arbitration In tho strict sonso of tho'vor'd, but
by referring them to such a tribunal as that which
reported on tho North sea Incident; and I would
ask you whether It may not bo worth whllo caro
fully to consider, before tho next congress meets
at The Hague, tho various forms In which dif
ferences might bo submitted, with a view to open
ing the door as wide as possible to every means
which might in any degree contribute to moderate
tr compoBo such differences."
Tills amendment is In harmony with this sug
gestion. Tho resolution is in the form of a post
script to tho treaty, but llko the postscripts of
some letters it contains a very vital subject in
fact, I am not sure but tho postscript In this caso
is as important as the letter itself, for it deals
with those questions which havo defied arbitration.
Certain questions affecting the honor or Integrity
of a nation aro considered outside of tho Jurisdic
tion of a court of arbitration, and these are tho
questions which havo given trouble. Passion Is not
often aroused by questions that do not afreet a
nation's Integrity or honor, but for fear these
questions may ariso arbitration is not always em
ployed whero it might be. Tho first advantage,
then, of this resolution is that It secures an investi
gation of tho facts, and if you can but separate
tho facts from the question of honor, the chances
aro 100 to 1 that you can settle both the fact and
tho question of honor with out war. There Is,
therefore, a great advantage In an investigation
that brings out tho facts, for disputed facts be
tween nations, as between friends, are tho causo
of most disagreements. ,
The second advantage of this investigation is
that it gives time for calm consideration. That
has already been well presented by the gentleman
who has preceded me, Baron von Plener. I need
not say to you that man excited is a very different
animal from man calm, and that questions ought
to bo settled not by passion, but by deliberation.
If this resolution would do nothing else" but give
time for reflection and deliberation, there would
bo sufficient reason for Its adoption. If we can
but stay the hand of war until conscience can as
sert itself, war will be made more remote. When
men aro mad they swagger around and tell what
they can do; when they aro calm they consider
what they ought to do.
The third advantage of this Investigation is that
It gives opportunity to mobilize public opinion for
tho compelling of a peaceful settlement and that
is an advantage not to bo overlooked. Public
opinion is coming' to bo more and more a power in
the world. One of the greatest statesmen of my
country Thomas Jefferson, and if It would not
offend I would Bay I believe him to be tho greatest
statesman tho world has produced said that If
ho had to choose between a government without
newspapers and newspapers without a government
ho would rather risk the newspapers without a
government. You may call it an extravagant state
ment, and yet it presents an idea, and that Idea Is
that public opinion is a controlling force. I am
glad that tho time is coming when public opinion
is to bo, more and ..more powerful; glad that tho
time is coming .when the moral sentiment of one
nation will Influence the action "df4 other nations; '
glad that tho time is coming when.the world will
reallzo that a war between two nations affects
others than tho nations Involved; glad that tho
tlmo is coming when the world will insist that na
tions settlo their differences by some peaceful
means. If time is given for tho marshalling of tho
force of public opinion pcaco will bo promoted.
This resolution Is presented, therefore, for tho
reasons that It gives an opportunity to investi
gate tho facts, and to separate them from tho
question of honor, that it gives time for the calm
ing of passion, and that It gives time for tho for
mation of a controlling public sentiment.
I will not disguise the fact that I consider this
resolution a long step in the direction of peace,
nor will I disguise, the fact that I am here because
I want this inter-parliamentary union to take just
as long a step as possible In tho direction of uni
versal peace. "We meet in a fam,ous hall, and look
ing down upon us from these walls are pictures
that Illustrate not only the glory that Is to bo
won in war, but tho horrors that follow war. There
Is a picture of one of tho great figures In English
history, (pointing to tho frescoe by Macllse of the
death of Nelson.) Lord Nolson Is represented as
dying, and around him are tho mangled forms of
others. I understand that war brings out certain
virtues. I am aware that it gives opportunity for
tho display of great patriotism: I am aware that
the examplo of men who give their lives for their
country Is inspiring; but I venture to say there
is as much inspiration in a noblo life as there is
in an heroic death, and I trust that one of tho
results of this interparliamentary-union will bo to
emphasize tho doctrine that a life devoted to tho
public, and ever flowing, like a spring, with good,
exerts an influence upon tho human race and upon
tho destiny of tho world as great as any death In
war. And If you will permit me to mention ono
whose career I watched with interest and whoso
name I revere. I will say that, in my humble Judg
ment, tho Bixty-four years of spotless public ser
vice of William Bwart Gladstone will, In years to
come, bo regarded as as rich an ornament to tho
hiBtory of this nation as tho llfo of any man who
poured out his blood upon a battlefield.
All movements in tho Interest of peaco havo back
of them tho idea of brotherhood. If peace Is to
come in this world, It will como because people
more and ,moro clearly repognlzo tho Indissoluble
tie that binds each human being to every other
If wo are to build permanent peaco it must bo on
tho foundation of tho brotherhood of man. A poet
has described how in tho civil war that divided
our country into two hostile camps a generation
ago. In ono battle a soldier in ono lino thrust his
bayonet through a soldier in tho opposing line
and how, when he stooped to draw It out ho
recognized In tho face of tho fallen ono, tho 'faco
of his brother. And then tho poet describes tho
feeling of horror, that overwhelmed tho survivor
whon ho realized that he had taken thelifo of ono
who was tho -child of tho samo parents and tho
companion of his ,boyhood. It was a pathetic story
but is it too much to hopo that as years go by
wo will begin to understand that tho whole human
race is but a larger family?
It is not too much to hopo that as years go bv
human sympathy will expand until this feeling
of unity will not be confined to tho membors of a
family or to tho members of a clan or of a com
munity or state but shall bo world-wide. It is not
too much to hopo that wo, in this assembly, pos
sibly by this resolution, may haston tho day who
'VOLUME -v 11 OTMBER 40
wo shall feel so appalled at the thought of thn
taking of any human life that we shall otrlvo t
raise all questions to a Jovel whore tho settlement
will bo by reason and not by force. -"
At the conclusion of Mr. Bryan's speech the
amended resolution was unanimously adopted.
It reads as follows:
"If a disagreement should arise between the con
tracting parties which is not oho to bo submitted
to arbitration, they shall not resort to any act of
hostility before they, separately or jointly, invite
as tho case may necessitate, tho formation of an
international commission of inquiry or the media
tion of ono or moro friendly powers. This requisi
tion will take Place, if necessary, according to
Article VIII. of Tho Hague convention for tho
peaceful settlement of international conflicts "
NEWSPAPER OPINIONS
Extracts from European newspaper comments
on Mr. Bryan's address before the inter-parliamentary
union at London, follow:
The Westminster Gazette, in its issue of July
25, said: "We need not Eay that we have tho
utmost sympathy with the sentiment expressed
by Mr. Bryan in his speech to the inter-parliamentary
conference yesterday. A great step
would, indeed, be taken towards securing the
peace of the world if it could be laid down as a
general principle that nations in controversy
with each other should not have recourse to
hostilities before having jointly or separately
demanded an international commission of in
quiry or the mediation of a friendly power.
That, as Mr. Bryan said, would at least give a
delay in which passions might cool and the
public opinion favorahle to peaco be mobilized.
Nor is it altogether a hopeless ideal, as our own
experience in the North Sea incident has shown.
But the practical difficulty is that, while the
peace parties are concentrating on this proposal
for delay, the military experts aro more and
more agreeing together on the immense advan
tages of snatching the initiative in case of war.
Attacks before a' declaration of war are now
the theme of military and naval essayists, and,
unless we can interpose some definite veto of
international law, tho tendency will be to rush
rather than to delay hostilities, and the power
which hangs back at the, critical moment, in
order to invoke arbitration, may be .expospd to
a heavy penalty for its virtue. 73y,all,,meins let
the peace parties continue 'to preach patience
and conciliation, but let them also as "practical
men take note of this contrary drift of military
and naval opinion, and see whether it can not
be checked by international law."
The Evening Standard and St. James Gazette
of July 25, said: "Mr. Bryan's speech made a
great Impression on the inter-parliamentary
conference. It was not only eloquent, but it
shadowed forth a high ideal and speeches with
that dual attribute are sure to touch the imagina
tions of men. In stating the case for arbitra
tion among nations from the loftiest point of
view stating it, moreover, in silvern speech
Mr. Bryan aroused in his hearers a momentary
enthusiasm for the brotherhood of man and the
cause of universal peace. Seeing that that was
the effect of his words, we regret his audience
was limited. For the cause Is one which can
- well bo served by inspiring eloquence, and until
the Inspiration of peace touches the heart of
mankind, the progress of arbitration will be
hampered."
PASS IT ON
In its 1008 platform the republican party
promised to amend the Sherman anti-trust law.
During the campaign, of 1008 Governor
Hughes of New York interpreted that promise
to mean that "tho rale of reason" must bo
adopted.
Later President Toft appointed Governor
Hughes, as well as other men of his mold df
thought, to tho United States Supreme court.
Georgo W. Perkins, associated with J. Picr
pont Morgan in trust control, delivered a speech
recently in wliich ho complained that republi
can congressmen had not tried to redeem tliis
promise hut that it had been redeemed by tho
supreme court in the recent trust decision
wherein Governor Hughes' "rule of reason" was
applied. 3 ,
Pass this on to your republican neighbor.
Ask him what ho thinks &f the supreme court
being packed with the view of having it redeem
a party's campaign pledged i ' '
( i
GOOD FOR ELIilNOIS
Congressman Rainey for national committee
man from Illinois? Well, that looks good. And
why should not tho great state of Illinois bo
represented on the national committee by
statesman?