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About The commoner. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-1923 | View Entire Issue (March 1, 1916)
V " T - HWWiMEMrtM '' 1""mgM""rj' nmHnyijfcHtMU'K' Zinnia Hu:"Wl l The Commoner VOL. 16, NO. 3 rr'rm ' " fr i i ? . fo.' m & act on tho same principle as the western and European nations, that is, enforce the decisions of tho wholo tribunal on disputes between Asiatic nations in so far as these decisions were approved by a majority of the Asiatic nations. Tho plan proposed by Mr. Taft's league, with tho modifications above suggested, would enable all the nations to bring their wisdom to bear up on all disputes, while each group would enforce the decision as botween members of each group. This would cover all disputes except those be tween nations belonging to different groups. In such cases sufficient length of time could be given for the parties involved to consider the recommendations of the International body, and it is almost certain that time and investigation would bring about a peaceful settlement. The modifications proposed would save us from being drawn Into European and Asiatic contests and it would enable us to retain the Monroe Doctrine In Its full force and vigor. Such a plan would doubtless receive tho approval of the American people because it secures all that is valuable by International agreement and yet eliminates the dangers embodied in the plan which has been advanced by the League to En force peace. While nothing can be done until tho war Is over, it Is well for the friends of peace to bo considering the various suggestions that are being made, for out of discussfon comes truth and truth 13 that which should be desired above all things else. W. J. BRYAN. THE OSTRICH ILLUSTRATION On- another page will be found a fable by Mr. Peterson which has been going tho rounds of tho papers advocating militarism. It is repro duced in order that the-readers of The Commoner may see how far afield one may go if he elimin ates moral considerations when reasoning about human affairs. This illustration, like the dog illustration, is constructed upon tho brute level, and makes no allowance for the Influences that affect men. These illustrations are only good on tho theory that man has no conscience and must be dealt with purely as a brute, and this theory precludes tho possibility of progress and surrenders all hope of a time when men may reason together. These illustrations are valuable, not because they support the doctrine of preparedness, but because they show the hopelessness of the phil osophy of force and fear the philosophy upon which the jingoes rest their hope of peace. As, among animals, might is right, so among advo cates of preparedness, might is the only argu ment considered. If their philosophy prevails our nation must abandon all its claims to moral prestige, all of its hopes for better things, and descend to the brute level to fight out all differ ences, "with tooth and claw." It is not strange that tho Christian conscience of tho nation Is being more and moro aroused by this challenge to all that is high and en nobling. The more the subject is d'sucssed and the better it is understood the more certain will be the nation's reaction against the entire pro gram into which the manufacturers of munitions are endeavoring to scare tho nation. The pres ent expenditure of two hundred and fifty millions for the army and navy is enough for the time being and should not be increased during the war. After the war, when the excitement has subsided, we can plan for the future with more -Intelligence. National policies should be deter mined when the people are calm, not when they aro angry or frightened. C ABUSE TO BE EXPECTED The advocates of Christ's doctrine of peacs must .expect Abuse it is proof that they preach tho truth. MaTt' 5:11-12: "Blessed are ye, when men shall, reVile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for mv sake. . , J "Rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in Heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." Instead of leaving war to be brought upon the natlqn by any reckless American who chooses to ride on a belligerent ship it would be better to leave it to a referendum vote and let tho de cision be made by the people who must support tho government with men and money. I - It is better to bo jeered at by jingoes who are trying tb get up a war for other people to fight than to 'draw imprecations from mothers of sons lacrificed In an unnecessary war. "PATRIOTISM" European or Jingo Style, 101G 0 0 9 Vnel Sam to th War Criffltt: "Now I'm rtady for you." 0 PATRIOTISM American or Civilian Style, 1700 "Observe good faith and justice to wards all nations; cultivate peace and. harmony with all. Religion and moral-, ity enjoin this conduct, and can it be, that good policy does not equally enjoin it? It will be worthy of a free, enlightened, and, at no distant period, a great nation, to give to mankind the magnanimous and too novel example of a people always guided by an exalted justice and benevo lence. Who can doubt but, in the course of time and things, the fruits of such a plan would richly repay any temporary advantages which might be lost by a steady adherence to it." Washington's Farewell Address. TWO VIEWS The Chicago News, in discussing the recent murderous attack upon Columbus, N. M., says: "Since Carranza gained the ascendancy in Mexico Villa has been trying persistently to force intervention by the United States in Mex ican affairs. His latest dastardly exploit, the raiding of Columbus, N. M., is a part of his gen eral plan to stir up war between the two na tions. "Incursions by the bandit forces of Villa into territory of the United States and the killing by those forces of American citizens on American soil, certainly can not be allowed to go unpun ished. "Villa and his fellow murderers will have to bo put out of the bandit business effectively and with the least possible delay. "If possible, however, their punishment, swift and adequate, should be administered in such a way as not to bring the United States into con flict with the recognized government of Mex ico." This is sane and sound. Compare it with, the Chicago Tribune and note the difference. The Tribune has been demanding armed intervention for months, and it seizes upon this new outrage to renew its demand. Villa's attack was dastardly and deserves se verest punishment, but it should not be allowed to draw us into intervention. GOOD WISHES FROM A FRIEND March 19, 1916 The hand of Time has turned his glass, To make a new-born year, And in the days that quickly pass, May shadows ne'er appear. Mav morning sun bring brightest rays No cloud obscure its light, And stars come twinkling on their ways To guide you through each night. Mav Health her blessings on you pour To shield you from all ill, And Grief and Sorrow pass your door Sweet Peace your whole life fill. ' Distinction Without' a Difference A large majority of both the house and the senate favor warning Americans off the armed merchantmen of the belligerents it is not a question of right but a question of duty. But those holding these views were divided on the vote some voting at the request of the Pres ident to lay the warning resolution on the table, some voting "No" on the tabling resolution. As the situation stood it did not make much difference which way they voted; both groups can justify their action. The real object had been accomplished by the discussion. The peo ple of the United States are not willing to go to war to vindicate the right of Americans to take these risks; neither is congress. The President knows it and we can now return to our work and await the results, confident that the jingoes can not drive us into war or put the American army and navy at the .command of a European mon arch to be used to fight out his- quarrels. W. J. BRYAN. A TEMPERANCE LESSON 0 5gj .'. " r- David Lloyd-George, the great British "states man, preaches a powerful temperance sermon in the following dispatch: ,. .;.;" "Replying to a deputation of the'temperance council of the Christian churches, David Lloyd George, minister of munitions, said the police .records showed a reduction of something-like 40 per cent in drunkenness throughbut the country. He hoped the nation would be convinced that success in war largely depended upon removing the drug upon its efficiency caused by drink. "However successful in the war the country might be, he added, he was convinced that vic tory in this matter would -he the greatest of all. "'During last week,' said Mr. Lloyd-George, 'I have found it my painful duty t6nbecorme the greatest spirit distiller' in the world. T have taken over the whole of the patent still distil leries in the kingdom and as many pot still dis tilleries as I can make use of. " 'I am doing my best to provide whisky for the Germans, and if the whisky pellets Which I am distilling do half as much harm to the Germans as the alcohol would have done to the people of this country, I will bo satisfied.' " Some good will come out of the war if Europe learns to avoid the evils of alcohol And why should not America profit by the lesson? Alco hol is a poison it weakens the body, impairs the mind and menaces tho morals. WHY WAS ROOT SILENT THEN? Ex-Senator Root's attack on the President for not going to war with Germany because of the invasion of Belgium recalls the most effective part of the answer made by Demosthenes to Aeschines in the Oration on the Crown. Aeschines charged Demosthenes with a fail ure to prepare proper measures against Phillip, and Demosthenes silenced him by saying, Jn sub stance: "You were there, why did you npt pro pose better measures? If you knew of better measures and did not propose them you were unpatriotic; if you did not know of any. better measures then, why do you criticize me now?" t So the President might enquire of Mr. Root, it you thought, when Belgium was invaded, that we should declare war against Germany, why were you silent? Tf you did not THEN think that it was a cause for war, why do you now find fault with me for not advising war9" . The President wijU find it expedient as well as right to remain, a champion of the cause of peace and repel Mr. Roosevelt's assaults, upon it, rather than allow the ex-president to "taunt" r w-K8 .hlm int0 accepting the war pro- SS;W Jj.itar.1Sm.l00ks better in a rough-rider uniform than in the gown of a scholar. . The jingoes have divided the American people 2rt w leSl TUey defme themselves as the aiW 2tl? ,fmericans, and their opponents as the "white livered" Americans. If they are 25 rrll ?ntmePe the ctry adopts their ally adopted 7 d tbeir plans re actu" - ,- - ,.w