New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-04-25
A False Prophet of Peace.

1t is a sad awakening for the great prophet of
peace Mr.. Bryan. The subject has been his IA
vore topic on the Chautauqua platform, the re-
cipient of his most glowing rhetoric. And he now
not only finds himself part and parcel OF a great
war; but held largely responsible therefor and
blamed bitterly by friends and enemies alike.
No criticism can cut Mr.. Bryans sensibilites
deeper than the scathng words Of Mr.. Norman
Angel. As an international peace advocate Mr.
Angel has made some especially interesting contri
buttons the economic aspects of the question. He
now feels impelled to point out that the type of
pacifsm which Mr.. Bryan has represented must al
ways fail and must always do harm to the cause of
peace:
Mr. Pryan's method, like that of many who pro-
claim themselves peacemakers has been based
the assuml on that the first and last requisites for
the maintenance OF peace are high aspirations and
good intentions; that these will Of their virtue
the trouble of understanding the facts obviate
the need for graphing intellectually with the prob
lem: that in some way a high morality can be made
q substitute for knowledge OF facts and that
rhetoric and emotion will in some way get over diff
cUties Ct practical politics and human shorsighted
ness; that war being according TO this view. due to
human w:Ckedness and brutality can be kept at bay
by stirring rhetoric anent the Angel Of Peace" tha
in short If we are all very good and high minded
will be more.
Mr. Angel proceeds to point out the utter false
ness Of these assumptions The present war is
not the product Of evil intention; it not precp
tated by wicked people few wars are High-mind-
ednesS and fine emotion usually start wars-the de-
sire to stop some evil avenge wrong OF the
present warlike prospect Mr.. Angel says:
If the administration. against its declared inten-
ton and probably against its real desire and belief
TO the best course, is pushed of the present
muddlcd and anomalous position into a definite war
OF cOnouest-as obviously IL may belt will be be-
cause the bulk Of American people honestly believe
that the conquest Of Mexico by the United States
will put On end TO weary years of bloodshcd gross
tyranny and hopeless disorder; that the sacrifice OF
lives which conquest will involve will be "A trine COM
pared 70 that which it will prevent that it can do
COR Mexico what IL has done for Cuba: that the
United states being a very great power and Mexico
very small one, the conquest of the latter will me
a relatively simple matter. and that it should be nc
complished in order TO give to Mexico and possibly
to all Spanish-Amercans right through To the Pan
ANA Canal a civilization superior TO that which thew
now possess.
Mr. Angel feels that the basis for these views Is
unsound that such project loses sight Of the actual
facts. But Mr. Bryan has done nothing TO combat
these facts he points out He has simply gone about
preaching high aspirations and fine emotions and
ignoring the real truth of Instead OF pointing
out the vast cost and dubious problems involved in
war upon Mexico, he has rccited glowing periods
describing the barbarity and un-Chrislan intentions
of wnr-mattcr wholly aside from the ease.