New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-10

mination to wrest from Austria the presidency
of the Federation of German States. And in
1870 the quarrel between France and Germany
on the subject Of the throne Of Spain was a
mere pretext for a war which was necessary 10
the foundation of the German Empire. In fact,
there have been relatively few wars between the
great powers which mediation could have pre-
vented. And then too, there IS always a dfi-
Guilty with regard to the choice of the mediator
owing to the far reaching system of alliances
and Of "ententes cordiales," on which the peace
Of the world may be said to rest.
With regard TO Mr.. Stead's proposal TO boycott
any power that refuses to submit to arbitration,
experience in the past has shown that measures
of this kind have invariably proved Ineffective
since to-day less than ever can the government
be said to control the financial and commercial
resources Of a country, while political exigency
is powerless against the temptations Of private
gain. Moreover, even II this were not the case.
an international boycott could be rendered effec-
tive only If it were unanimous, which is out Of
the question.
Another project of Mr.. Stead which more i'm
rnediateIy concerns the United States is his pro-
posal to organize species of international pill
grirnage of peace. which is TO make It's start
from America at the close Of the convention of
the peace societies to be held in New York
shortly after Easter. MT Stead. who is coming
over here from England for this convention, and
who Will have opportunity Of bringing his
views before 1t on that occasion hopes to secure
the appointment of twelve delegates. who will
sail for England. where they will meet party
Of British pilgrims. with whom they will proceed
to Paris. there TO be Joined by a party of French
champions Of peace. who will then proceed with
them to Rome. In this way every capital is to
be visited. until finally the pilgrims several hun
dred strong, reach their final destination at The
Hague. in time to demand hearing and to pre-
sent their views to the international peace con-
gress. Mr.. Stead purposes that the expenses in
connection with this pilgrimage OF peace should
be betrayed by the various governments. He
points out that inasmuch nations willing
20 devote millions upon millions Of dollars to
ornaments and to they could readily afford
a few thousand dollars every year to the main
tenance Of peace and to the saving Of the ruin
Gus sums that breaking Of that peace would
entail OF course II hostilities could be averted
by means Of such a pilgrimage as this the
money would be we'll spent. But II is doubtful
whether any Of the governments concerned VIII
consider the scheme sufficiently practicable to
warrant the assignment Of public funds for the
purpose. all the more they would thereby be
virtually substituting agitation for the purpose OF
promoting public sentiment to force them into a
course Of policy which they regard as intu-
dicious.
Popular sentiment IS often a valuable asset
TO the government But sometimes il constt-
tutes an obstacle. and even q danger, 70 the
latter. II might prove to be this were Mr. Stead
to succeed in putting into execution his project
OF a pilgrimage Of peace. The powers are Writ
ually now agreed upon the limitations Of the
programme Of the forthcoming congress of The
Hague. and IL the latter is permitted to carry
through that programme without interference
not only many questions OF vital Importance will
probably receive their solution. but likewise
measures will be carried which will contribute
TO rob war Of q number OF its horrors On tbs