The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1914-12-31
LEADERS o. m
WAR SUGGEST
Sir Edward Grey, Or. Won
Bethmann : HoIIWeg, Count
Okutna and Or. Oumba
Tell What We Can Do.

H1 OW can the United States best
serve civilization?' is the
u question that was put by the
editor of the Worlds Work to
Sir Edward Grey. secretary of state
for foreign affairs of Great Britain; DR..
Won Bethmann-Hollweg, the. German
imperial chancellor; Count Okuma.. the
premier of Japan, and DR.. Constantine
Theodor Dumba, ambassador Of Aus
tria-Hungary to the United States.
The answers Of these statesmen In
cluded the following opinions:
Sir Edward Grey.
eff the Worlds Work wants con-
tribution to its central idea Of inquir-
ing how the United States may best
serve the interests of civilization at
this period of change and redefnition-
how best their immunity may be used
and what is their opportunity, not only
selfishly, but enthusiastically. the only
thing can say is that a great nation
standing outside this European con-
fact should use what influence it can
on the side of right and against wrong.
We believe that we are fighting for
Iberty and independence unthreaten.
ed by militarism and to redress the
cruel wrong done to Belgium. We
hope to win peace that will secure
these things. What influence the Unit
ed States can exercise and to what end
and when their influence should be
used is question for their own peo-
pie to decide. But I do not think
that this will be q suitable contribu-
tion to the dispassionate inquiry made
by the editors of the Worlds Work
Magazine, and perhaps l may explain
how impossible it is for member of
government who believes that it is
fighting for the independence Of it's.
country, and that all it cares for and
believes is at stake to do anything
except plead the cause of that country
and to ask at least for sympathy"
DR.. Won Bethmann-Hollweg.
1.-The people Of the United States will
best serve the cause Of peace and hui
manity by being not only neutral, ac-
cording to the letter of President Will
sons proclamation, but also impartial
in spirit Of his further utterances. This
is the only way to gain the confidence
of the whole world. and without this
confidence the United States cannot
hope to render the important services
to the cause Of humanity which it
wishes to render.
There are two sides to every ques-
ton. OF late Germany has even been
accused Of Intentionally starving the
civilian population of Belgium, while
it is evident that there would not be
the slightest question of starvation OF
even want if the declaration of London
had not been violated by our enemies,
who try to prevent all shipments of
foodstuffs, regardless of their destina-
ton. Not only Belgium. but all neutral
countries in Europe are suffering under
the hard laws which British navalism
seeks to impose on the world.
Everybody is full of pity for the un-
happy civilian population Of Belgium.
which has suffered more than others
under the inevitable hardships of war.
England puts the blame for this state
of affairs on us. No German will agree
with the English contention. The cases
of Belgium and Luxembourg are identi-
cal. The latter country was really neu-
trail. did not fight and has suffered no
losses at ALL Germany paid her ample
indemnity for all damages. Belgium,
however, did fight, because it followed
England's advice
''The commerce of all neutral nations
is being disturbed by British naval
ism, the North sea is blocked by Eng
lish mines. and the ships of all neu-
trail nations. even those destined to
neutral ports. are dragged into British
Iharbors. l repeat. we regret the dis
turbance of neutral commerce, but we
are not to be blamed for it. Germany
hopes that peace will come soon. After
the great sacrifices which the German
nation has brought. with unanimity
EVERYBODY KNITS IN BERLIN.
Street Car Companies Have to Pro-