Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-12-18
STEAD APPEALS TO AMERICA.
Urges People of the United States to
support the Cars Peace


LONDON, Dec. l7.-Mr. William T Stead,
writing to the Associated Press. says:
II have seen the ear. | 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 suulmoniaS the
conference. He is prepared to give earnest
of his sincerity by arrestinG the future in
crease of Russian armaments. But, unless
he is supported by the peoples who detest
militarism as we'll as by those who groan
under its burdens, his well meant endeayor
will fail.
The American people can, if they will.
prevent 40 fatal d catastrophe. AS the
greatest and latest born OF the worlds
powers, they can, If they choose, save this
supreme opportunity of the century from
being sacrificed by the sceptical apathy of
the governments But to do this il 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 resolutions and by other method
whereby d democratic people gives express
sion to its convictions and its aspirations.
have manifested to the world their deter
Inination to help the ear to put this thing
through. \ national committee to protect
the success of the peace conference. with
local committees in every city in the Union.
would do much 10 achieve this end.
In England, where the difficulties are
much greater. owing TO the senseless pre-
judce against Russia. which has been the
baleful legacy of the Crimean war, such
Il national committee Is already in course
of formation. BY the end of next month,
it Is expected there will not be any con-
siderable center of population which Will
not have its public meeting demanding that
energetic support should be given TO the
Russian proposals.
These proposals, stated briefly, are ID
that there should be declared d truce Of God
for five years; q, that during that period
the governments should not increase their
expenditures on ornaments beyond the fig
ure stated by them at the conference as
the maximum of their needs; C3) that some
International agreement should, if disputes
should arIse between the slsnatorieS or
this pact, bind them always 10 invite the
mediation of neutral powers before ap-
pealing to the sword.
From the old country to the United
States there will then ring forth the cry
of the man of Macedonia: Come over and
help us What the friends of peace in
England confidently calculate upon is that
this appeal in the cause of humanity will
find the American people ready ard able
to respond. If so. the grandest demonstra-
tion ever made of the peace loving pas
sion of the English speaking race will be
within our reach. a joint Anglo-Ameri-
can deputation 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 Continent.
1t would affirm the unity Of the English
speaking race and demonstrate that 1t has
both the capacity and the Will to act as
a unit in The cause of peace.
Round the Anglo-American deputation
will group themselves In the first place
the Representatives. Of the seven. small
states, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Hol-
land, Belgium. Switzerland and Portugal
with aggregate populat of nearly
great international delegation would begin
It's crusade through Europe. In four weeks
II would have shaken the Continent from
center to circumference.
The movement in favor of an interna-
tional 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
ear. a PUBLIC conference has been sum
moned to take place tomorrow at St.
James hail by the heads of all the relig-
ions. 1t will he presided over by d repre-
sentative OF the bishop of London.
Mr.. Stead will explain the views of the
ear and the proposed international move
meut, and Will read letters from A. ]. Bal
four. the nrst lord of the treasury, and
Conservative leader in the house of COM
mons, James Bryce. Leonard Courtney, the
Rev. Joseph Parker. Earl Spencer and
others heartily indorsing the movement.
Mr.. Balfour writes:
Il see you claim your scheme will draw
I Sun I;s er,e o , on eiapn and ]
a better understanding between them and
the Slavonic races and inaugurate an era
of international peace. If its effects for
mankind are even a fraction of what you
hope. it is surely worthy of international
sympathy