The times., 1899-07-24

Peace Conference I IVES made not at a
session OF the Conference, but TO a writer
in the Times"
Europe is no longer alone in the world
A European solidarity came into existence
from the moment when, thanks to the dis
c0veries OF modern science. new worlds
sprang up around us while our customers
in the Far East and elsewhere were
transformed into competitors. AS dis
t4nce counts no longer, England buys
agricultural and industrial machines
even locomotives, rails. and other
things in tho United States. Cali
foTnia and Chile send so-called Bor,
dcaux wine 10 the French exhibitions. ia
pan sends Us by its own steamers silk and
cotton goods. umbrellas, toys, matches, ar
ticles de Paris, as wen as Vienna and Bsr-
lin goods and even condensed Swiss milk
The Argentine Republic and Australia sell
Us not only the wool, but also the meat OF
their sheep. The Cape sends US fruit. We
get potatoes, butter, etc. from Canada. Ali
that is mere beginning. The ineXhausti-
bic reserve OF Chinese production is not
yet open. Henceforth, therefore, Europe
mus. reckon not only with herself, but with
the world. She must base her action no
longer on antiquated traditions. but on tbs
progress OF her privileged competitors She
must at all costs follow them in their head
long course and consequently emancipate
herself from the burdens with which sac
is handicaped
If Europe remains paralyZed. divided,
crushed with taxation, she viii be beaten
ia advance. Her population viii see the
price of their labor diminish from day to
day until it falls to the level of the low
est mGrket They will get tired of working
more and more to gain less and less. for
they ealy resigned themselves to the enor-
nous sacrifices which they are making 80
long as they should be necessary. But their
illusion will disappear in presence o. their
sense of self-preservation. They are gain
ing knowledge and are beginning to find
that they are losirg to no purpose their
money. their time. and their trouble. the
only result being that they are threatenin Z
instead Of supporting one another. Their
revolt is near at hand and unavoidab e,
especially in monarchical countries where
armies degenerating into ruinous gardes
du ee-ps, will apparently soon serve to
maintain the authority OF the Government
rather than national interests. They will
become, in the eyes of Indignant pub
lie opinion, tie very emblem and measure
OF an evident Gntagon.sm between that au-
thority and those interests.
The energy which Europe displays in
desperate Efforts to Keep up immense ar
mics should be largely transferred TO her
economic struggles. That change is all
the more urgent, as every right-mindsd
man is compelled TO acknowledge not only
the barbarism and absurdity, but also
tie imPossibility OF modern warfare. A
European war would now be the end Of
Europe. We should be lost at home
-Ta1 81 fv,F, ss,.-.
duct!on il would definitely make over our
distant markets to our rivals. Our work
ing classes would have difficulty in finding
employment after peace was concluded
and would hold their ruined masters re-
sDonsible The sequel of war would be
general stagnaticn; that is TO say. revo-
luton or another kind of war, namely,
social war and anarchy. If the next war
at least implied the annihilation of the
yanquished, the risk incurred, although
the idea is abcminGble, might tempt an
adventurous policy. But history is there
TO remind Us that nation cannot be ami
hilated any more after Sedan than after
Jena, AusterlitZ. or Waterloo. The next
war viii no more bring a solution than
did those which preceded it. Whoever the
victor may be. it VIII have to be fought
over again. TIE States of Europe must
therefore. make up their minds TO face the
tath ana the lulGre with view OF set
Ting honorably and reasonably among
themselves the basis OF a durable peace.
All of them can and must remain faithful
TO their past. their traditions, and their
| hopes, bat at the same time they must
make allowances fer the interest and duty
OF others. The welfare OF Europe is at
stake. Circumstances press US to effect
this tardy conciliation. Let us make haste.
In spirit of mutual sacrifice let US pre-
pare with good grace the new work which
is imposed en- US by the brusque surprises
CT progress. Let Us endeayor to recon-
Gle two lines Of policy which can no longer
be opposed to enc another-namely, na-
tional policy and European policy"