The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-11-25
WAR WILL END WHEN :
EXHAUSTION COMES
President Alderman Makes Notable Address Conditions
in Europe-President Wilson an Idealist
With Will and Vision.

that believe they will fight to the
bitter end
After paying a splendid tribute to
Belgium and her young king. Presi-
dent Alderman spoke as follows as 10
the final settlement OF the issues: Il
venture to predict that a new congress
of nations will assemble in the fall
OF 1916. after the analogy OF the Con-
gress Of Vienna. but 1t will not be
held at Vienna, and let us pray that
1t win not take It's cue from that UNI
worthiest and unwisest OF all great
international gatherings 1t ought
to he held at Brussels-the Congress
of Brussels--in honor of a little state
which counted honor and loyalty
greater than her life. Democracy and
not autocracy. common sense and NOT
dynastic ACKNOWLEDGMENT, should rule
its councils and the peace of the
world for some generations at least
should issue from its arrangement
Of the policy and the law of Europe.
Revenge ehould not enter into its pur-
poses. The restoration of Belgium,
the return Of AIsace and Lorraine, the
constitution Of Poland as a free state,
the settlement of the Slav question In
Southeastern, Europe. are obvious
things which will take care of them
selves. The supremest thing. afte'
a just arrangement of the map OF
Europe, Is the establishment OF q
great international tribunal, upon
which all powers should be represent
ed, which; should determine peace
or war in y1e world II any nation
then dares run amuck, AL others
should feel bound in duty TO coerce
1t into peace. I 40 not mean that I
think eternal and universal peace will
then ensue, But she end OF all human
striving should he In that direction
An Engl.s1man of note, discussing
this idea. said to me that he thought
the President Of the United States
should preside over this body. I think
SO. too, for in addition to his personal
ity, democracy. implanted SO grandly
in oar republic. you'd be accumulated
and lifted up before the world az rhe
great end Of human society
Pays Wilson HiSh Tribute
President Alderman paid a f'ne
tribute to President Wilson and said
the United States should learn above
every other lesson from this war the
danger of preoccupation. The CHIEF
lesson the United States has to learn"
he said. lis not preparedness for war
as mucsl as grim determination not
to become preoccup,ed with war 1t
would be foolish, of course. not 70
maintain and develop our forces, espe-
c'a.ly our navy, to the point where in
the sort OF world we live we should
be equal TO preserving our integrity
and territory against any set of mad
men who sought TO violate II, But
the peril OF war preoccupation for our
eager mobile. powerful people is
greater than any danger of foreign
invasion. The reason why we bulk
so grandly In foreign eyes today is
y Il ag.+s " arl
OF and impossible in a land Of alliances
and ententes-the restoration Of Cuba,
the generous treatment OF Spain, the
fixed glory of a powerful party In the
republic to restore tho Philippine
Islands to the natives Of those islands
the repeal OF the Panama toll act, and
our recent attitude OF disinterested-
ness and justice 10 Mexico.
IT might add the conviction that
our President Is not only an idealist.
but an idealist with a will and a
vision.
we should shun ttae peril Of war
preoccupation as men shun a Colossal
temptation, for there's in 1t fearful
fascination for the valiant and strong.
General Lee, perhaps the noblest and
greatest of all military geniuses OF the
ftrst-class. once said. as the awful
beauty OF the Battle of Fredericks-
burg unrolled before his eyes, Long
street. 1t is fortunate that war is 20
Horrible, else We might grow to love
it. There spoke the heroic heart
tempted by the grandeur OF valor,
but too great and too steadfast TO the
eternal things to succumb TO 1t. God
grant that our country. not only now
in the unexampied crisis, but for all
time, may manifest similar great
ness Of soul and fiXedness OF pur~
pose"