The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-06-19
CHANGE FOR PElcEMlKER.
BRYAN WRITES ABOUT "CAUSE.
LESS WAR;"
Suggests That There Be Reform in
Laws Of Nations to Protect limo.
cent-Gives out First Section M
Statement.

washington, June 16.-Former Sec-
retary Bryan in the first section of his
statement on the "causeless war" To-
day prophesied that the greatest
opportunity in all his
tory was certain to come to the
United States and declared there
would be a demand for an interna-
tional conference, with the return OF
peace, to change the rules of inter-
national law which seem to have
been made for the nations at war
rather than for the nations at peace"
Under the stress and strain of the
titanic struggle in which they are
engaged" Mr.. Bryan's statement saws.
leach side has felt itself justified in
encroaching upon the rights of neu-
trails The ocean highways, the COM
mon property of all, have been to
some extent appropriated for war
purposes end delicate diplomatic
questions are forced upon the neutral
nations.
Just at this time, when these ques-
tions are most acute, the belligerent
governments are least able to deal
with them with the calmness and poise
which their great importance de-
mands. No wonder every neutral ma
ton is increasingly anxious for the
war to end; but Of ali the neutral ma
tions ours has the most reason to pray
for the return Of peace-rnost reason
to set its face resolutely against par
ticipation in this war. This nation.
the head Of the neutral group and the
sincere friend Of all the belligerents.
is in duty bound to set an example in
patience and self restraint.
I'm all history no such opportunity
has ever come to any other nation as
that which is destined to come to the
United States. In all history no other
peacemaker has ever been in position
to claim as rich a blessing as that
which will be pronounced upon our
comes-as come it must"
Introducing his statement. Mr..
Bryan describes the horrors Of the
war and says:
Neutral nations can not look on
with indifference-thet ties that bind
them together are too strong, the re-
lationship too intimate. This is espe-
cially true of the United States. We
have a composite population-every
nation of Europe having contributed
literally to our citizenship. These,
our countrymen, themselves born
abroad or Immediately descended from
foreign born ancestors, can not but
take a lively interest in the conduct
as we'll as in the results of the war
and a still larger circle shares the
concern Of those directly connected.
Not a soldier falls on either side but
the sorrow expressed in his home
finds an echo at some fireside In the
United States"
Aside from sentimental considera-
tions. Mr.. Bryan asserts. neutral ma
tions suffer serious disturbance be-
cause of the war.
Nearly every neutral nation finds
new domestic problems thrust upon
it and old problems made more diff
cult" the statement declares. mo
American citizen can note without
deep concern the manner in which
war questions have introduced them
selves into our politics-overshadow
ing economic issues and stimulating
agitation in favor of enlarged appro-
priations for military and naval pur-
poses"
Mr. Bryan refers to Interruptions
to neutral commerce, arrangement OF
business and consequent readjust-
ments, and speaks of scarcity Of
American ships as one Of the great
est embarrassments to the United
States.
THE neutral nations are put to q
great expense to preserve neutrality"
continues the statement. 'and are
constantly in danger Of being en-
broiled in the war without intention
or fault on their own part. The rules
of international law seem to have
been made for the nations at war
rather than for the nations at peace.
1t is almost impossible to alter those
rules during the war, because any
material change. affecting as it would
the interests of the belligerents, would
be seeming violation of neutrality.
AS soon as peace returns there
VIII be demand for an international
conference on the subject. The pre-