The Washington times., 1908-01-26
BUILDING FORTS
NOT CONSISTENT
WITH PEACE TALK
Bartholdt Pleads for Uni
VerSal Peace and Ar
bitratiOn at Hague.

Declaring that the American declara-
ton Of friendship for Japan is not CON
sistent with its policy Of fortihcations
on the Pacific coast, Representative
Bartholdt made q plea last night for in
teTnauonal peace.
Mr.. BaTtholdt, who was Americas
premier apostle of peace, discussed the
idealism OF peace and the uselessness
and degeneracy of war at a meeting Of
the Missouri Society.
He warned his audience that a con-
tinuation of the policy Of terrifying the
Pacific coast actually has the effect of
inviting an attack from the enemy.
He declared that the question Of uni
versal peace was one of the most serious
problems confronting the people today.
but at the same time, one of the most
simple.
Representative Bartholdt made a good
point against the policy OF building more
fighting ships by asking If a man could
inspire his neighbor with his peaceful
ness by going to him with q revolver
IN his pocket, and making it known to
him that the revolver was necessary to
pay him a visit.
Would not that neighbor be infinitely
more impressed with the good Intentions
OF the man if he came unarmed?" he
asked.
Peace Talk and Fortifcations.
eve say We want to be friends with
Japan" he continued, "and the Jap
anese say the same in regard to US,
but at the same time we cIamor for
the fertilization of the Pacific Coast.
Would not our words of friendship find
more ready credence If we were not
fortifying ourselves?
The second Hague conference has
stipulated that no unfortifed cities,
towns. or villages shall ever be bonn
barded by an enemy. Now, If we pro-
coed TO fOrtify our cities, towns, and
villages on the Pacific Coast, what viii
be the effect? We viii be actually In
wiling the fire Of the enemy on places
which would otherwise be absolutely
immune and safe, and for the purpose
of inviting such bombardment we are
asked to spend millions upon millions
OF dollars.
IF you want peace. I say, prepare
for peace. And how easily il can be
secured! If the German Emperor
would say TO King Edward, Let US
have peace" it would practically mean
the end Of war. They would soon be
Joined by the President OF the United
States and the President of France, and
we would have league Of peace strong
enough to prevent violence and to cope
with any combination bent on violence.
Their own differences could be set
tied by The Hague court and all other
nations would readily follow their ex-
ample
War Does Not Decide Right.
What excuse, then, is there for go
ing 10 war except to hide an unholy
purpose? I wish you to remember,
also, that war settles nothing. It never
decides the question Of right and
wrong. but merely as to which side is
the stronger.
y said at the outset that a reign Of
justice can be substituted for the pres
ent reign of militarism and war in a
formal way. By that do not mean
that all the different nations should pool
their interests and tie themselves TO
each other. When the several nations
enter into an agreement to keep the
peace or TO settle their differences by
arbitration, they must start out by
guaranteeing to each other their absO-
Lutte sovereignty in home affairs, their
national independence and their terri
tory. and the rest will be easy"
Representative Bartholdt closed his
address by declaring that President
Roosevelt has saved the life Of The
Hague tribunal by referring to It the
first case. He has called the second
Hague conference" he declared, and
has restored the peace of the world by
bringing Russia and Japan together.
Hence it seems that it well becomes q
nation which can boast OF such PresI-
dents and which is animated by such
sentiments TO appear in the worlds
councils carrying the gospel of human
ity and peace
Representatives Russell, Smith, and
Hamlin of Missouri were present, and
made short addresses