Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-05-14
WAR EXTINGUISHERS

THERE are several ways of putting out
i fire. You may douse it with water, or
smother it under a blanket, spray 1t with
chemicals Theories and methods for ex-
tinguishing war are as various, and even
more numerous.
In the many war articles which still con-
tinue to fill the magazines there is in
creasing proportion devoted to theories and
proposals for ending and preventing war.
And these theories are as various as the
temperaments of the men presenting them
disarmament, increased armament, inter-
national congresses, leagues of peace, Chris
tianity-all these are recommended and ar
gued. Percy Mackaye, the poet and pageant
ist. presents with characteristic charm and
idealism a plea for the substitution of
pageantry of peace to take the place of the
terribly effective pageantry of war. He
writes in the North American Review Q),
which this month, by the way, publishes its
Tooth anniversary number. He says:
Is there a substitute for war? when peace
is made handsome war;" said the Pres-
dent of the United States in a recent speech,
there will he hope OF wars passing" This
pregnant phrase but feetlng remark. yet
It involves an idea of deepest public import. II
Is hardly conceivable that human beings should
for ages have endured the organized waste
and torture of war, If the magician art had not
hypnotized their imagnatons. and led them
forth by glorious visions to the charnels OF
battefelds. For let us remember, II Is art-the
coorful art of the theatre its music, spectacle
and symbolism put to wars purposes-which
has exerted this hypnotsm toward destruction.
In this time of world havoc therefore. shall we
not ask ourselves:
How may the glorious visions of dramatic art
lure the ina aginations of men from to
peace? How may peace be made as handsome
war and compelling? War is made splen-
did by noble human attributes; by self-sacrhce.
courage, patience enkinded will power. Under
expert control, the chaotic drifting, meanly COM
petitive life of everyday peace becomes trans
figured by order, discipline, organization, imbued
with majestic unity of design; the enacting of
a national drama, in which the people them
selves participate. Statesmen and military lead
ers recognizing what the disciples of peace
ignore utilize the full potency of the magina-
tive arts born of the theatre; they employ the
ecstasy and pomp of music and pageantry
Symbolism they call to their aid TO provide for
patriotism her radiant flags and uniforms.
My object is to suggest that "the moral
equivalent of war" can. be made fascinating
and effectual by utilizing the dynamic arts of
the theatre to give 1t symbolcal expression. So
to cope with war, the organizers OF peace must
acknowledge mans paganism and exalt 1t. The
moral equivalents OF war are Intellectual from
two chief First, the lighting armies of
peace-workers in settlements for public health
for popular education, for emancipation OF
women and children etc.-are not properly or
gan2ed, and secondly their functions are not
properly symbolized. To achieve the first OBJ
ject-organization-wil require the directive in
sight OF one who may aptly be called the poti-
symbolism-wl require the dramatic engineer.
League of Peace
G. Loves Dickinson, the English pubIicist.
in the concluding article OF series in the
Atlantic Monthly (2), outlines his hopes for
making the next peace permanent. Among
several ideas which he discusses, he writes!
From many quarters has come the sugges
ton for a "league of peace" Mr. Roosevelt has
proposed it. Mr.. Asquith looks forward to it
as coming Immediately within the range and
presently within the grasp Of European states
manship." And It was adumbrated by Sir Ed
ward Grey before the war, when he said: "IT
the peace OF Europe can be preserved and the
present crisis safely passed. my own endeayor
will be TO promote some arrangement, to which
Germany will be party, by which she could be
assured that no aggressive or hostile policy
would be pursued against her her allies by
France. Russia and ourselves, Jointly or sepa-
ratey."
But it will be said. what is the use Of relying
on treaties when Germany has shown and de-
cared that she regards them scraps OF pa
per? This raises the question OF the sanction.
/ propose. therefore, that the Powers entering
into the arrangement pledge themselves to as
sist, II necessary, by their national force any
member OF the league who should be attacked
before the dispute provoking the attack has
been submitted 10 arbitration or Cancellation.
Military force is not the only weapon the Pow
ers might employ in such case; economic pres
sure might be effective a financial and com
mercial boycott.
Prof r. NJ Johnston. Of Harvard. "one
OF the greatest living authorities on the Ma
poleonic wars" whose book, Arms ana the
Race" has just been published, writes an
article in this months Century CD on a very
similar theme drawing lessons from the con-
trasting fates OF Switzerland and Belgium
for the United States
Switzerland. the centre OF Europe has for
years possessed the perfect model OF a ma
tlcnal army. The policy OF the nation was easy
10 frame in relation 70 its surroundings North
south. east, west. lay neiEhbors vino presented
: threat alonE every mile Of frontier So the