New-York tribune., 1912-01-21
Anglo-American Memories
CIV.
SOME RECENT AMERICAN lMpRes,,ou.
Copyright. 1912 George W. smaI,sv,

.. - "Oi can DO more than mint
"i'"' remains to be said about Amer
'ah women and the suffrage; of itself
'oplc requiring unlimited space. Both
IN New York and Washington talked
WIN women whom NAV call represen-
'a'iNe' VIII do them the Justice to say
lIat this subject Of votes was not the
SUBJECT on which they seemed most ready
10 converse. 1t was not the subject
Whlch lay nearest the surface, nor yet
was II 70 be sought In the depths OF their
nature. They appeared rather surprised
that 1t should be mentioned. II they ex-
pressed an opinion it was an opinion Of
indifference. 1t did not seem urgent. In
the course OF a two hours talk at lunch
in Washington with a lady who holds a
brilliant place in that brilliant society, 1t
was not once referred to. Everything
but that was discussed and there was
no opening for a question unless made
the opening which I did not particularly
care to do. The theoretical and specula-
tive had given place TO the practical, or
to the personal.
Not 80 on other subjects. The Ameri-
can mind has not turned away from the
region Of conjecture nor lost Its interest
In problems which, so far as they are
problems at all, are problems OF the
future. Men of business were looking far
ahead; men Of politics, or will say men
concerned In political affairs and men
to whom public interests came before
private--they also were busy with in
quiries into the future, both near and
remote. The characteristic American
activity OF mind was everywhere visible
and not seldom showed Itself In pro-
phetic form. The lawyers, 10 whom we
look for steadying influences, were think
ing Of OF things than clients and
courts. The Attorney General was one
example, and there were many others.
On the Sunday evening before ! sailed
for England l went with a party OF
friends to the Metropolitan Temple to
hear Mr. Bourke Cochran. His subject,
or one Of his subjects, was economical;
the increased cost Of living In America
and elsewhere, and why II had increased.
Mr.. Cochran may be trusted TO take an
original view. and an emotional view. OF
whatever subject he touches. He sought
and found The cause of the increase In
the enormous unproductive expenditure
Of the Great Powers on naval and mill
tary armaments. Then, casting about for
remedy, he finds II, logically enough,
L.. II hn
from explaining how war is TO be sbol-
ished. At once mis- discourse became
discourse on the Millennium. II Is the
arrival, and the immediate arrival OF
the Millennium which is to put an end TO
war by land and sea. He sees clearly
how this new heaven is TO be created In
a new earth. The new Golden Age Is to
be a reign of Justice, and that Peace
may supersede War men have only TO
think Justice better weapon than bat
tleships and turn their coming towers
into pulpits.
But I'm Mr.. George Peels lately pub
lisned book on The Future Of England
"a piece Of concise thinking picturesque
~ phrased-Mr. Cochran will mo
sentence worth his considering. Mr.
Peel is no lover of war. but he exam
ines both sides of every great question
and he asks himself what England Is
TO do 'In that danger zone where argu-
ment dies away and only might -four
ishes." And he invites us TO remember
that:
"Of all the gods and goddesses only
one never lays aside her spear and
shield and helmet. 1t is the goddess OF
wisdom"
The deep dream Of peace in which Mr..
Cockran's soul lay buried was set forth
with an eloquence none the less impress
slve because you believed neither IN the
doctrine nor in the coming Of the Mil
| lennium in that particular form to that
particular end. But prophecy is con-
yenient form Of dialectic, for to prophe-
CIV there is no answer but a negative
answer, and an attitude Of mere disbe-
lief. l asked the friend next whom sat
"a woman Of rare gifts:
did you ever know Bourke more eio-
quent?"
Never"
DO you agree with what he said?'
with every word. l suppose you do
not"
"No."
Then I am the more certain he is
right"
And that, presumably, is the kind OF
winged weapon women will still employ
when they get their rights; including
the right to vote, which they only care
for while II is denied. G.. w. S.