The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-18
PEACE AND GOOD WILL
EDITOR STEAD TELLS WHAT THE
GAR is STRIVING FOR.
He Also Says the Enemies of Militar-
ism Are Looking to America to
Aid the Russian Ruler.
1conrright. 1Sas. by the Associates Pregsl

Copyright, 1898, by the Associated Press.)
LONDON, Dec. 17.-Mr William T. Stead,
writing to the Associated Press, says: Il
have seen the Car. 1 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 services of
humanity some OF the many millions now
devoted to preparations for war He has
taken the initiative in summoning the con-
ference. He is prepared to give earnest of
his sincerity by arresting the future in
crease of Russian ornaments. But unless
he is supported by the peoples who detest
militarism, as we'll as by those who groan
under it's burdens, his well-meant endeavor
will fail. 1.-THE American people can, If
they will, prevent so fatal a catastrophe
AS the greatest and latest born of the
worlds powers, they can, if they choose,
save this supreme opportunity of the CEN
fury from being sacrificed by the skeptcal
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 miitarism 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 every other method whereby
a democratic people gives expression to its
convictions and it's aspirations have mani
tested to the world their determination to
help the Gar to put this thing through
A national committee to promote the success
of the peace conference with local COM
mttees in every city in the Union would
do much to achieve this end.
I'm 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
had its public meeting demanding that en-
ergetic support should be given to the Rus
sian proposals. These proposals, stated
briefly, are first, that there should be de-
clared a truce for five years. second, that
during that period the governments should
not increase their expedlture on ornaments
beyond the figure stated by them at the
conference as the maximum or their needs;
third that some international agreement
should, if disputes should arise between the
sgnatories of this pact, bind them always to
invite the mediation of neutral powers be-
fore appealing to the sword. From the old
country to the United States there will then
ring forth the cry of the man OF Mace
donia Come over and help u.s..
What the friends of peace in England
confidently calculate upon Is that this APP
peal in the cause of humanity will find the
American people ready and able to respond.
If so, the grandeSt demonstration ever made
of the peace-loVing passion of the English
speaking race will be within our reach A
joint Anglo-American deputation of, say,
fifteen men and five women, chosen from the
foremost of our race, charged with the man
date to proceed through Europe on a pill
pTin1aEQ address
thanks to the Car, would rouse the CONT
nent. It would affirm the unity of the
English-speaking race and demonstrate that
it had both the capacity and will to act as
unit in the cause of peace. Around the
Anglo-American deputation would group
themselves in the first place the representa-
tiveS of the seven small states, Sweden,
Norway, Denmark, Holland, Belgium,
Switzerland and Portugal, with an aggre-
gate population of nearly 30O00,000, and with
these reinforcements the great international
delegation would begin its crusade through
Eope tn In Tef To 1t to e
conference"
The movement in favor of an international
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
the entire sincerity of the Car. A public
conference has been summoned to take place
tomorrow at St. James's Hall, by the heads
of all the religions. 1t will be presided over
by a representative of the bishop of Lon
dom Mr. Stead will explain the views Of
the Car and the proposed international
movement, and will read letters from A. ].
Balfour, the first lord of the treasury, and
Conservative leader in the House of Com
mons; James Bryce. Leonard Courtney. the
Rev Joseph Parker, Earl Spooner and
Others heartily indorsing the movement.
Mr. Balfour writes: Il see you claim your
scheme will draw closer the bonds of union
between the. English-spealdng. peoples and
promote a better understanding between
them and the Slavonic races and inaugu-
rate an era of international peace. If its
effects for mankind are even q fraction of
what you hope it is surely worthy of inter-
national sympathy.