The herald., 1898-12-18
Associated Press Special Wire


LONDON, Dec. 7.-William T. Stead,
writing to the Associated Press, says:
81 have seen the czar. | 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 devot-
ed to preparations for war. He has taken the
initiative in summoning the conference. lie
is prepared to give earnest OF his sincerity
BY arresting the future increase of the Rus-
sian armament But unless he is supported
BY the people who detest militarism as well
as those who groan under its burdens his
well-meant endeavor will fail.
AMERICAS OPPORTUNITY
''The American people can, if they will,
prevent SO fatal catastrophe. AS
the greatest and the latest of the
worlds powers, they can, If they
choose, save this supreme opportunity
of the century from being sacrificed by the
skeptical apathy of the governments. But
to do this it will be necessary 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 demonstrations, formal reso-
lutions and by other methods by which a
democratic people gives expression to Its
convictions and its aspirations, have mani
tested to the word their determination to
help the czar to put this thing through.
national committee to protect the success
OF the peace conference, with local commit
tees in every city in the union, would do
much to achieve this end.
ACTION IN ENGLAND
"ln England, where the difficulties are
much greater, owing to the senseless preju-
dice against Russia, which has been the
baneful legacy of the Crimean war, such
national, committee is already 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
held it's public meeting demanding that en-
ergetic support should be given to the Rus
sian proposals
confidently calculate on is that the appeal
in the cause of humanity will find the Amer
lean people ready and able to respond. II
30, the grandest 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, fifteen men and five women, chosen
from the foremost of our race, charged with
the mandate to proceed through Europe on
a pilgrimage of peace to present an address
of thanks to the czar, would rouse the CONT
nent.
WILL ALL JOIN IN
"Round the Anglo-American deputation
would group themselves, in the first place,
the representatives of the seven small states
Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Holland,
Belgium, Switzerland and Portugal-with
an aggregate population of nearly 10000, 900
and with these reformers, the great nterna-
tional delegation would begin its crusade
through Europe. In four weeks it would
have shaken the continent from center to
circumference"
THE QUEENS SYMPATHY
The movement in favor of an internation-
al demonstrate in support of the cars
peace conference is taxing practlcal shape IN
Great Britain and is attracting much SYM
pathy from the queen and other members of
the royal family, who are said to be aware
OF the entire sincerity of the car
A public conference has been summoned
to take place tomorrow at ST. James hall,
by the heads of all religions. 1t will be pre-
sided over by representative of the Bishop
of London. Mr.. Stead will explain the
views Of the czar and the proposed interna-
tional movement and will read letters from
A. j. Bafour, the first lord of the treasury
and Conservative leader in the house of
commons; James Bryce, Leonard Courtney,