The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1898-12-29
THE WORLD At PEACE
William r. Stead Writes of
the Cars Proposal.
OPPORTUNITY FOR AMERICANS
Movement in England In Favor OF IN
International Demon
stratiOn.

LONDON, Lee. EU.-Wll !. Otcdu,
writing to the Associated Press. says:
81 have seen the czai. have heard
from his own lips the earnest desire OF
his heart that something practical
should be done. and that quickly, to
divert to the service of humanity some
of the many millions now devoted to
preparations for war. He has taken
the initiative in summoning the confer
ence. He is prepared to give an earn
est Of his sincerity by arresting the
future increase of Russian armament.
But unless he is supported by the peo-
pies who detest militarism as we'll as
by those who groan under it's burdens,
his well-meant endeavor will fail.
"The American people can, if they
will, prevent go fatal catastrophe.
As the greatest and latest born of the
worlds powers, they can, it they
choose, save this supreme opportunity
of the century from being sacrificed by
the skeptical apathy of the govern
ments. But to do this, it will be nee
essary to act. and to act at once. What
is hoped of those friends of peace and
enemies of militarism who turn their
eager eyes to the great republic OF the
New World, is that between now and
the end Of January, the citizens of the
United States will, by public demon
STATIONS. formal resolutions and by
other methods by which democratic
people gives expression to its convic-
tons and it's aspirations, have manifest
ed to the world their determination to
help the car to put this thing through.
In England, where the difficulties
are much greater owing to the sense
less prejudice against Russia, which has
been the baleful legacy of the Crimean
war, such national committee is al
ready in course of formation. By the
end of next month, it is expected there
will not be any considerable center OF
population which will not have had
it's public meeting demanding that en-
ergetic support should be given to the
Russian proposals.
"What the friends of peace In Eng
land confidently calculate upon is that
the appeal in the cause of humanity
will find the American people ready
and able to respond. If so, the great
est demonstration ever made of the
peace-loving passion of the English
speaking race will be within our reach.
A joint Anglo-American representation
of, say, Is men and women, chosen
from the foremost of our race, charged
with the mandate to proceed through
Europe On pilgrimage OF peace to pre-
sent an address Of thanks to the car,
would rouse the continent.
"Round the Anglo-American deputa-
tion would group themselves, in the
first place, the representatives of the
seven small states-Sweden, Norway,
Denmark, Belgium. Holland, Switzer-
land and Portugal, with an aggregate
population of nearly 10000, 900, ard
with these reinforcements the great in
ternational delegation would begin it's
crusade through Europe. In four
weeks. it would have shaken the conti-
nent from center to circumference
The movement in favor of an inter-
national demonstration in support of
the cars peace conference is taking
practical shape in Great Britain, and is
attracting much sympathy from the
queen and other members of the royal
family. who are said to be aware of the
entire sincerity of the cZar.