The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-08-29
ENGLAND APPROVES,
BUT HAS MISGlViNGS
London Press Doubts the Efficacy or
the Plan, Yet Admits Its
Merit


proposal of Emperor Nicholas, says: 1T
woul be idle to attempt to ignore the
many and grave difficulties standing
In the way of the attainment of the
Cars wishes; but it cannot be possible
to doubt the sincerity of the magnant-
nous proposal"
The Standard says, speaking editori-
ally of the Cars proposal: In
England. at least, respect and SYM
pathy will be felt for the pro-
posal Its conception well
worthy of the young sovereign 1t is
painfully obvious that there are enor-
nous difficulties to be overcome which
it is possible the Car in his ardor and
humane enthusiasm has not maturely
considered. It is a vision which has
occU red to many minds; but has al
ways had to be dismissed as mere
dream. The nations are not likely to
cast away the sword unless they have
a better warrant than paper protocols
and Conventions Moreover, the mo-
ment does not seem altogether propiti-
Gus. New armed nations are arising in
Asia and America whom it might not
be easy to convince of the safety and
desirability of abandoning the enter
prises on which they have embarked
with so much energy"
Enumerating the many obstacles to
the attainment of the object sought,
the Standard suggests that the Gear
has the matter largely in his own
hands, adding: IF Russia would
abandon her aggressive policy in China
and elsewhere, the era of universal
peace would be perceptibly nearer
The Times says editorfally: THE
note breathes a spirit Of generous. per-
hapS, indeed, almost quixotic human
ity-a spirit familiar in the effusions
of Missionaries, but too seldom found in
the utterances of great soYereigns and
responsible statesmen.
Never, perhaps, in modern history,
have aspirations which good men in all
ages have regarded as at once Ideal
and unattainable found so responsive
an echo in the councils Of one of the
greatest and most powerful Of the
worlds rulers. In principle, the pro-
posals of the Gear. put forth on a SOL
enn occasion with every mark of dis
interested sincerity, will command the
sympathy and respect of all men of
good will. So far as Great Britain is
concerned, we long ago abandoned
Continental ambitions, and there is no
power in the world which has less to
gain or more to lose by any disturb
ance of existing territorial status quo.
The time has long gone by when
British commerce could be made to
flourish in and by means of war. The
greatest of our interests is peace, and
SO ScuSlllNS - Jul WAdS COIll-
merce that even rumors often do US
more injury than war might do to a
power less dependent than is Great
Britain on a free interchange with the
whole world of manifold products of
its native industries.
Russia, who has also great, but
still undeveloped, industrial future be-
fore her, becoming fully convinced as
we in England have long been. that her
resources are better devoted to the
benehcents of arts of peace than the
destructive uneconomic energies OF
war, EngliShmen as essentially a
peace-loving people, can only hail the
Cars announcement with the utmost
cordiaIity as glad tidings of great joy,
which, whatever may be the practical
issue, does cast credit upon that SOW
ereign's generous and lofty spirit and
humanity. The difficulties are great,
but nothing can henceforth deprive the
Car of having brought peace and dis
armament in the sphere of practical
politics.
TT looks at present as though all the
great powers might be willing to enter
the conference. While the United States
might be expected to lend a favorable
ear to appeals tending In any degree
to lesson the weight Of the imperial re-
sposibility she is about to undertake
her industrial policy is closely akin to
our own and her abiding interest in
the maintenance Of peace is hardly less
VITAL
The Daily Chronicles Paris CORE
spondent declares that the disarma-
ment olive branch would have ema-
mated from Emperor William in Jeru-
salem, If the Cars advisers, includ-
ing perhaps NJ Hanotaux, had not
forestalled the Emperor's project. Ed
itorially the Chronicle says:
''The Cars encyclical is assuredly one
Of the most striking documents of the
century. It could only have been more
dramatic if the Kaiser had issued 1t
from the birthplace of the Prince of
Peace
Looking to the present attitude of
Russia in the East, the proposal almost
takes ones breath away. A cynical
view is painfully oblivious. Russia has
just secured a series of vast territorial
and diplomatic advantages which it will
take years to assimilate. She is face
to face with famine, a revolt of the
Poles is threatened and she is threat
ened by other powers, and there are
signs Of a dissolution Of the Russian
French alliance. Happily the 'humani-
tartan view is equally clear and con-
vincing. The Gear. hitherto overborne
by veteran, obstinate advisers, has now
asserted his natural desires. He is one
of only two men who could make the
proposal without fear Of being mis-
understood. Great Britain and the
United States will, certainly welcome
the proposal. If another great power
does also much will be gained in the
desired direction"
The Daily Mail says: eff the Car
had not been the Emperor would surely
have been the dramatist 1t is too much
to hope for the realization. but some
good ought to come of it In the way OF
a better understanding of the powers. y
The Daily Telegraph says: "The idea
is so beautiful that we are reluctant to
throw cold water upon it, but what is
to be the basis of discussion? A con-
ference which should recognize that
free and open markets are fer the ad
vantage Of the civilized world would
indeed pave the way to universal
peace, but short of this, we fear the
gathering will prove abortive"
The Daily News says: THE Car By
this message has acquired a more
righteous and enduring fame than be-
longs TO the proudest conqueror of his
illustrious house. There Is no quartei
from which such NANTES to would pro
duce more profound impression Hith.
erto the great obstacle was that nobody
would begin. The Car cannot be sus.
pected of making a virtue of necessity
We shall hardly be wrong in attrfbutins
the mOmentCuS policy TO the Gar him.