Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1915-06-16
j. S. IS DESTINED
TO MAKE PEACE,
BRYAN PREDICTS
Greatest Opportunity in His
tory, He Declares in First of
'Causeless War Statements.
SHOWS HOW WAR HITS
THE NEUTRAL NATIONS
Says Changes in International
Law Must Come When
Strife Is Over.

WASHINGTON. June 16.-Former
Secretary Bryan. in the first section
of his statement on 1.-The Causeless
War" today prophesed that the
greatest peace-making opportunity in
all history 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 interna-
tional law. which seem to have beer
made for the nations at war rather
than for the nations at peace"
The statement. headed THE Wal
As 1t Is. and Its Injury to Neutrals,
follows in part;
| shall tomorrow discuss the origin
Of the war; today let us consider the
war as 1t is and the injury 1t is doing
to neutral nations.
The war is without precedent in
the populations represented; in the
number of combatants in the field; in
daily expenditures; in the effective
ness of the implements employed; in
the lists of dead and wounded; in the
widespread suffering caused. and in
the intensity of the hatreds aroused.
THE wars Affections are visited
upon women as we'll as upon men.
Surely we behold the pestienee
that walketh in darkness and the de-
struction that wasteth at MONDAY.
Neutral nations cannot look on
with indifference-the 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.
ASIDE from sentimental eonsidera-
ton, neutral nations suffer serious
disturbance because of the war War
Is an international nuisance. Nearly
every neutral nation finds new do
mestic problems thrust upon il. and
old problems made more difficult.
mo American citizen can note
without deep concern the manner In
which war questions have intruded
themselves into our lpolitics-over-
shadowing economic issues and slim
ulating agitation In favor of enlarged
appropriations for military and navy
purposes.
Business Is Disarranged.
"Business is disarranged and ex-
pensive readjustments made neces-
sary. while commerce with foreign
nations is seriously interrupted. Fluc-
tuations in prices abroad are reflected
In the markets of the United States.
Added TO this freight rates and in
surance premiums have been in
creased.
I'VE have depended largely upon
foreign ships TO carry our commerce,
and we could not but suffer when the
merchantmen of one side were
driven from the sea, and a part of
the merchant fleet of the other side
was withdrawn for government use.
"The neutral nations are put to a
great expense to preserve neutrality,
and are constantly in danger of be-
ing emhroiled in the war without in
tention or fault on their part
1.-THE rules of international law
seem to have been made for the ma
tions at war rather than for the ma
tions at peace. AS soon as peace re-
turns there will he a demand for an
international conference on the sub
ject The presumption should then
be given to peace, for peace, not war.
Is the normal condition. If nations
are determined to fight, they should,
as far as possible, bear the burden
themselves and not be permitted to
transfer II to the nations which avoid
war by resorting to reason instead
OF force.
This nation, 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.