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About The commoner. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-1923 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 1915)
Wp39fF k L" The Commoner .' 8 VOL. 15, NO. H Time for Mediation r . 'n iv I'i K &: J.; i. ffltev: " wWMbif v . v. (3 OTIi-"'-.' ' WEak'- Statement given to the press by Mr. Bryan, ftt Washington, December 5: "I hope that the congross which meets to morrow will at once assure the President of its readiness to support him in any effort which he may see fit to make to hasten the restoration of peace in Europe. Ho offered mediation at the beginning of the war, but that was sixteen, months ago. Since that time more than two mil lion men have been killed; more than five mil lion have been wounded, and more than twenty billions of dollars have been expended. In hor rible detail and extent of suffering the war has surpassed anything known to history. "An offer of mediation is not only amply jus tified on the ground of humanity, but it is de manded. If, however, other reasons are desired they can bo found in our obligations to the other neutral nations. All of tho neutral nations are suffering because of this war which obstructs tho highways of tho world, interferes with neu tral trado and scatters injury everywhere. "Tho noutral nations are the innocent by standers whose people are being killed, uninten tionally, of course, but killed. These neutral nations are compelled to bear burdens of taxa tion that would not be necessary but for this war, and all of them are jn danger of being drawn into the conflict some of them are al most forced into it. Our nation not only shares the sufferings of other neutral nations, but has an additional reason for desiring the restoration of peace, namely; that the war is being used as a reason for demanding a change in our national policy which lowers our ideals and puts us into a mad rivalry with Europe in the increase of our military and naval expenditures. "To be the means of bringing the war to an end would not only add to our moral influence, but it might save the country a billion or more In taxes and it would put an end to the manu factured scares which are being used to frighten the public. The other nations wait on us. "There is abundant reason to believe that tho President, either alone or in conjunction with the executives of tho other neutral nations, can se cure from tho nations at war a statement of tho terms upon which peace is possible, and such a statement would bo the beginning of an exchange of views which would lend to a treaty. If one belligerent nation sets tho example public opinion will compel tho others to speak;. Tho terms must bo announced sometime: .why not now? To ask for a statement of those terms is merely to ask tho belligerent nations to say for what they are fighting. Each of tho governments at war cer tainly knows what it is that it demands other wise it could not justify a continuation of tho slaughter. And if tho belligerent nations know for what they are fighting, why not tell tho world? In this day and ago no nation can afford to wage war for secret reasons, especially when In doing so it necessarily brings injury to neu tral nations. "Hero is a question which the neutral nations certainly have a right to ask; What are you fighting about? In other words, what Is it that, being done, the world can have peace? Pub licity will in itself sift out unworthy motives and unreasonable demands. When the world knows what each nation demands as a condition precedent to peace, tho responsibility can be lo cated and moral pressure can be brought to bear In favor of a peace that will rest upon reason and give promise of permanence. "To say that this war must necessarily con tinue any length of time, even for a day, is equiv alent to saying that there aro questions which .can be settled only by tho sword, and to say that "is to deny the coming of the day when war will be no more. To deny this possibility of an era 'of peace, based upon love arid' brotherhood, is to challenge Christian civilization and advocate a return to savagery. If an era of peace is pos sible, to delay its coming is inexcusable." 3 It is unfortunate that the President's recommendation for a larger army and navy should go to congress at this season of the year, it is not a pleasant Xmas greeting to send to a war-burdened world. The Merry Commoner wishes a Christmas and a HappyNewYear to Everyone, Every where, and ror-ever. THE NAVY'S GROWTH On another page will be found the statistics showing the navy's growth. In 1891 the navy had 1,483 officers, exclusive of 239 naval cadets at naval academy. The num ber of enlisted men allowed in 1891 was 8,250, and the amount appropriated that year was $24,610,501.64. In 1915 the officers numbered 3,403; the naval cadets numbered 912; the en listed men numbered 52,561, and the amount appropriated was $145,734,163.03. In other words, we now have a little more than twice as many officers as in 1891; more than three times as many naval cadets; more than six times as many enlisted men and nearly six times as large an appropriation. That is growing some in twenty-four years and yet the jingoes rid icule our navy. Wanted: A scare more idiotic than "the pipo dream" published on another page. Ten cents will be given for the most insane story submitted before January 1st. AND STILL THEY GROW A recent interview given out by John Hays Hammond, Jr., described as "Aero-nautical divi sion of the Naval Advisory board," announces that we should have "at least two thousand aero planes ready to be sent into the air at a moment's notice." And then he adds: "It will take ten years to build up our defenses. When the war began France had 25,000 officers; now she has 100,000, and that is not enough. At least that number would be necessary to put the United States in condition to meet a first-class power." And still they grow: 100,000 officers for our army; where will it end? The very extrava gance of the claims of the jingoes will disgust the public and create a sentiment which will eventually put a stop to frenzied preparedness. Why not raise the additional war revenue needed by putting a head tax on jingo editors who advocate war before giving their names to tho recruiting officers? SECRETARY DANIELS' MISFORTUNE For a second time Secretary Daniels has suf fered from fire his newspaper being again destroyed. The sympathy of The Commoner is extended. It is gratifying to hear that in spite of two severe losses the secretary is un daunted and will begin rebuilding at once. He is to be congratulated on his courage, and his readers upon the advantage of having his paper Btill as a daily visitor. THE PATRIOTISM OF PELF By a coincidence neither' strange nor striking the , New York Tribune represents two elements ,,oi-the American people who are traveling "to gether the jingo who wants war, and the man ufacturer of munitions who will make the nrdfot out of war. . '-' 1 YThe fact that there was one Judas among the twelve reconciles us, to the occasional minister who joins tho jingoes. ' The Peace Mission After a conversation with Mr. Ford Mr nrv an gave out the following statement: ' "I came to New York as I stated'in my toin. gram, to explain to Mr. Ford more fully than t could by wire my reason for believing that iBJ now, I can render larger services here opposine the attempt to increase the appropriations for the army and navy than I could by goinir with him on tho Peace ship. h m "I have seen Mr. Ford and laid my reasons before him, and he recognizes the weight of those reasons. I desire to add that I am in hearty sympathy with the effort which he is making, and hope to join the party at The Hague. As tho date of their arrival at Tho Hague is not yet known, I can not fix the date for my departure. "Mr. Ford is making an earnest and unselfish effort in behalf of peace, and he ought to have the good wishes and sympathetic support of all who desire peace, even though some may not fully share his faith in the immediate success of the trip. Of course those who want the war to continue ridicule the effort, especially those who speak for the big munition factories which are exporting war material at a large profit. This was to be expected. Ridicule is the favorite weapon of those who desire to oppose any move ment when they find themselves unable to sup port their opposition with argument. IP ANY OF THE PEOPLE ON THE ARK HAD BEEN MAKING MONEY OUT OF THE FLOOD, THEY "WOULD PROBABLY HAVE RIDICULED NOAH FOR SENDING OUT THE DOVE. Success to Mr. Ford and his companions. May they re turn with an olive leaf." "W. J. BRYAN." Why not drain' all the swamps? The ditches will make excellent trenches if we are ever at tacked. ! - ,...,. . ;1 :f" New year's is coming why not swear- off from the jlngo-jolo prep-pare habits. ' ROOSEVELT A PRODIGAL Mr. Medill McCormick of the Chicago Tribune, vice-chairman of the Progressive National com mittee, is reported to have announced, on re turning from Oyster Bay, that he would work with the republican party in 1916. The Phila delphia Inquirer accepts this as an indication that Mr. Roosevelt will also support the repub lican ticket and that the chief 'business of the Progressive National convention, if one is held, will be to endorse the republican, ticket and platform. LIBELING THE NATION Former Ambassador Choate, now president of one of the organizations urging frenzied pre paredness, says that the United States is the "most hated of the nations." This is an inex cusable falsehood, and the fact that so prominent a man would resort to it shows how fatal jingo ism is to both truth and common sense. LEADER KITGHIN'S UNANSWERABLE AR GUMENT On another page will be found House Leader Kitchin's unaswerable argument against the proposed increase in appropriations for the army and navy. Read it, and then show it to your neighbors. Is the Chicago Tribune so anxious to have a war somewhere that, having failed to induce this government to interfere forcibly in Mexico, it w driven to oppose peace in Europe in order that .it may continue to regain its readers with the bloody details of the royal sport of man-killing. In order to raise money for the proposed mil itary program, it is proposed to put a tax or : twenty-five cents a ton ' on "fabricated steel. :Why not put a small tatf on "fabricated war yarns" and raise the whole amount? Strange that the preparedness program should be described as patriotic as soon as it became evident that it could not be carried througn with democratic votes. Why are not democratic reforms aleo called patriotic? ) 0 Instead of talking about. Increased armaments in tills day of world woe, is it not time for this republic to speak out plainly what it proposes to do in tho in terests of the world's peace, in which our tiwn peace is I)Ound up? 00 ; f' ' 0 0 0 0 0 0 Q J.