New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-06
TIE PEACE PROPAGANDA.

circle in Europe In behalf Of the peace pro-
posnls of the Russian Emperor, whom he re-
CARDS as the best of earthly monarchs. He has
been interviewing all sorts and conditions or
princes potentates and Powers, and has Sue
ceeded in getting half OF Europe to talk about
him and his enterprise. Mr.. Stead has hit upon
what must be regarded as the most effective
means Of achieving the end which he and the
Car have IN view.
A popular propaganda Is what Mr. Stead Is
trying to conduct. He wants to hold mass
meetings in every town In Great Britain. every
day or night in favor Of disarmament. He
wants to keep the newspapers full OF peace
talk and. an incessant stream Of oratory and
letter-writing flowing and dcluging the whole
land IT is true there is not much encourage
ment for him in the attitude Of men OF light
and leading He held his first big meeting the
other Sunday in st. James's Hall. London. 1t
was more noteworthy for those who were not
there than for those who were. and most note
worthy for the tone OF the excuses which were
sent Lord Salisbury sent none, and Lord Rose
bery's was brief and perfunctory. Mr.. Balfour
was sympathetic with the most delicate dash
of cynicism Mr. Morley, Mr.. Courtney, Lord
Ripon. Sir Henry Campbell Bannerman Profess
sor Bryce and others expressed academic APP
prevail Of the abstract ideal Of universal peace
But there was not from a single one OF them
the faintest approach to hint at any prac-
teal means Of putting tho Cars proposal
Into effect The one practical utterance came
from Lord George Hamilton. and was to
the effect that Great Britain might with
equanimity assent to a general reduction OF
naval expenditure all round. since that would
leave her still proportionately preponderant over
all others, as at present, fact which VIII not
expedite the acceptance Of such plan by the
other Powers.
Nevertheless, as we have said, Mr.. Steads
plan Of a popular appeal Is the one most TO be
commended. The question OF peace or war IS
now one for the people rather than the sover-
eigns to decide Time was when monarchs
made war at will, TO serve their own selfish am
billions or wreak their own personal grudges.
regardless Of the will OF the people. That time
IL past It ended with 1870. To-day 1t may he
confidently asserted that every sovereign OF
Europe is peacefully disposed. The militant
spirit exists among the people. There Is not
ono monarch who would have personally any
thing TO gain by war The time OF conquest Is
past. But among the French people, for ok
ample. there prevails n strong desire 1or re-
venge upon Germany. and among the Germans
there is n strong desire to keep prepared to
meet the French attack. and in Great Britain
there is popular feeling that the existence OF
the empire Is conditioned upon keeping the
feet stronger than any two others In Europe
and so on In Russia there Is no effective pub
lie opinion and, despite all Impressions To the
contrary. Russia Is Of all nations one OF the
least inclined TO war. for the ruling classes ana
especially the Emperor realize that Russia has
invariably been unfortunate in war and sue
cossful in diplomacy. and they are not minded
70 exchange successful for unsuccessful tactics.
We have said the letters Of excuse to Mr..
Stead contained no practical suggestions TO
that one exception should be made Profes-
sor Bryce did not offer any plan OF procedure,
bur he remarked that preparations for war
turned mems thoughts TO war That Is time.
and It is n most practical fat In suggestion
and application. If mems thoughts are turned
TO war there is danger Of war. Conversely II
their thoughts are turned toward peace, peace
IS likely to he preserved. So Mr.. Stead's propa-
ga1da may. by getting men to think more about
neace. prove more effective for the prevention
Of war than any more formal and technical
means.