The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-09-25
Peace for the World.

y
time when the peoples OF the earth
shall dwell together In fraternal
unity. The best impulses are to re-
gard war as hateful and unnecessary.
The day Of universal peace is not
here, but in the sentiment Of wise
men, in their tendency to crystalline
into a benign and efficient scheme
the thoughts that stir them, is an
inkling of the dawn.
Members OF the Interparliamentary
Union are now in this country intent
not only upon spreading the gospel of
arbitration. but on getting the Gov
eminent Of the United States to take
a leading part in the work which
must mean the uplifting OF civiIiza-
ton itself. Christendom is asked TO
take its place upon a plane toward
which it has looked with longing
eyes as ideal, impossible of attain
ment.
Nothing could be more fitting than
that this nation, great, strong, and
inspired by noble standards, should
bear the white banner of the legions
of peace. Like other nations, it was
conceived in the storm of battle. II
has had TO listen to the sound of con-
tending armies, and with tears il has
buried its dead. But it fought for
honor, and they who had been its fees
became its friends. 1t has no ambi-
ton for conquest. 1t has no enemy
to fear. In it's very solidity and pre-
paredness il is immune from attack
even if any reason should seem TO ex-
list for attacking it, II has risen 10
a dignity that gives force to its ex-
preston of desire. Commercially it
leads. II is so mighty that it could
make itself feared if it chose to do
this, instead of making itself respect
ed. Surely, upon it there rests a vast
responsibility.
The purpose of the Interparliamen-
tary Union is all commendable. II
would establish a world tribunal of
wider scope than that of The Hague.
Among other pertinent questions
early to be considered would be the
rights Of neutrals, the status of con-
traband, and the iniquity of placing
mines in the waters of the high seas.
But out Of this would grow a tribunal
OF arbitration embracing the globe,
marking an epoch in the constitution
al history OF the race.
In the Union now are distinguished
statesmen, representing every country
of Europe save Russia. That govern
ment, having no parliamentary arm,
cannot at present be included. But
even Russia could not withstand the
pressure indefinitely, and soon OF late
would submit 10 changes making it
eligible to the grand and potent or
ganization-
To William Randall Cremer is due
much of the honor. Years ago he was
moved by contemplation Of the waste
and horror of wars to try to turn the
mind TO other methods Of settling dis
putes. Long he worked without en-
couragement, but he won thinkers
and publicists to his cause, until now
conferred about him, eager as himself.
is band whose valiant efforts are
making opinion on two continents.
Cremer has become a chevalier of the
Legion Of Honor. Last year the
Nobel peace prize Of S35, 900 worthily
fell 70 him, and all Of it was devoted
to forwarding the project TO which he
has devoted all his energies.
History contains some towering fig
ures, immortal by the havoc they
wrought, the misery they created, the
desolation that was left in their vic
tOTious wakes. The United States has
had soldiers high among the captains
of the earth, and yet one of the great
est of these was greater still when he
had laid aside his arms and then
came from his intrepid heart the
deathless sentiment:
Let us have peace"
Beside the triumph Of a Cremer.
knitting the nations into one kin, how
despicable an Alexander weeping for
more nations to conquer, or how pal
try Napoleon rearing a temporary
edifice on foundation OF bleaching
skeletonsi