New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-06-17
WILSON WORLDS
PEACEMAKER IS
BRYAN PROPHECY
Ex-Secretary Issues First
Section of Statement on
"Causeless War"
SAYS MEDIATION IS
BOUND TO COME
International Conference Will
Change Rules of international
Law, He Forecasts.

Washington. June 16.-William Jen-
nings Bryan, former Secretary OF state
in the first section of his statement on
"The Causeless War" to-day prophe-
sled that the greatest peacemaklng OPP
portunity in all history was certain TO
come 10 the United States. lie de-
clared there would be a demand for ar
international conference, with the re-
turn of peace, to change the rules OF
international law, which seem TO nave
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 en-
gagged" MIR. Bryan's statement says,
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 10 some
extent appropriated for war purposes
and delicate diplomatic questions are
forced upon the neutral nations.
"Just at this time, when these ques-
lions are most acute, the belllgerent
governments are least able to deal
with them with the calmness and poise
which their great Importance demands.
No wonder every neutral nation is IN
creasingly anxious for the war TO end;
but of all the neutral nations ours has
the most reason TO pray for the return
of peace-most reason TO set lts lace
resolutely against participation in this
war. This nation. the head OF the neu-
trail group and the sincere friend OF all
the belliegerents, 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
President when the time for mediation
comes, as come it must
Introducing his statement Mr. Bryan
graphically describes the horrors and
Affections of the war, and says;
Neutral nations cannot look on with
indiference-th ties that bind them
together are too strong, the relation
ship too intimate. This is especially
true OF the United States.
1--WE have composite population,
every nation of Europe having con-
tributed literally TO our citizenship.
These. our countrymen, themselves
from foreign born ancestors, cannot but
take a lively interest in the conduct as
we'll as in the results of the war, and
still larger circle shares the concern of
those directly connected. Not a sol
der falls on either side but. the sor-
row expressed in his home finds an
echo at some Preside 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 1t
and old problems made the more diih-
cult" the statement declares. NO
American citizen can note without deep
concern the manner in which war ques-
lions have intruded themselves into
our politics, overshadowing economic
issues and stimulating agitation IN
favor of enlarged appropriations Tor
military and naval purposes"
At some length Mr.. Bryan refers to