New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-20
PREREQUISITES OF PEACE
Letters Exchanged by Charles W.
Eliot and c.. l.. Stowell

Mr. Charles W. Eliot.
Sir: It IS unnecessary to tell you that the
only protection against bloody return TO
the predatory instincts exhibited in the
European war is the erection of an interna-
tiona tribunal similar in principle to the
courts of individual states, whose DEGREES
shall be rendered authoritative by a back
ground Of regulated force It must be a tan
gible, embodied force, and, In the last resort,
military force.
How such force can be constituted and
applied has been the problem ever since the
days Of the Amphctyonic Councils. Vague
public sentiment is no substitute for it, nor
public indignation, ostracism, embargo and
the like.
No. Public opinion is a force mandatory
in a homogeneous community, where the in
dividual knows that his fellows can and will
follow up reprobation by more painful forms
Of pressure, or where there exists the terror
of a universal church, as in the excommuni-
cations of the Middle Ages; but, as among
nations widely separated in customs, laws,
standards and ideals, its power is almost
nil. There has, for instance, been but one
real opinion outside Of Germany in regard
to the violation of Belgium. But what neu-
trail nation has protested against it? In this
country there has been more official concern
over questions of commerce than at the
destruction of a principle, the sanctity Of
treaty obligations, without which no country
can rest in peace and security.
Is there, then, any possibility of interna-
tional law being respected for itself until
some nation stands forth the champion of
Law as Law in matter where that nations
own private interests are not Immediately
concerned?
1t is TO the intense regret OF many OF us
"a number increasing every day, believe)
that the United States, as the most powerful
neutral, did not, in the name Of the sanctity Of
protective treaties, protest at the outrage on
Belgium. For if we had protested it would
have been new and greater Declaration Of
Independence in behalf Of all weaker peo-
ples-a rallying cry for future united eff
fort 1t would have established the prin-
ciple Of outside interference in a matter Of
basic international law. 1t is absolutely
necessary TO get established some such prin-
ciple, on an issue easily understood with
neutral force behind it. And what cause for
action could have been clearer more univer-
sally recognized more Surgent or popular
feeling, than was the violation of Belgium?
The time for that dramatic and epoch
making form of protest has passed; yet there
still remains the principle to be contended
for, viz, that in the final adjustments of the
war Belgium shall regain her full rights
There is danger Of this being overlooked For
the sympathy Of the world has been so deep
t. moved by her miseries that the popular
mind may grow weary and fail TO recognize
her claims as the vindicator of principle
As soon as Il becomes evident to the con-
trollers of Germany that she cannot win,
they will begin to cast about for the most
favorable terms Of peace, and | fear there
will be a large party in this country willing
to accept almost any conditions that will
end the war. The very last ground that
Germany would consent 20 relinquish would
be Belgium, and that should be the very
first condition Of treating with her. Better
a long drawn out war than the entail OF a
crime Of such magnitude Il seems to me
that this thought ought to be impressed notO
upon the American pople, reiterated in sea-
son and out of season, that whatever else
may be compromised for the sake Of peace
the principle Of the sanctity of treaty obliga-
tions toward weaker states shall be vindi-
Gated. To cOndense IL into a single phrase:
No discussion OF peace with Germany until
she has evacuated Belgium!