Weekly journal-miner., 1915-01-06
TELL WHAT PART UNIT
 ED STATES CAN PLAY

' on how the United States, as a neu- tral nation, can be of the most ser vice 10 humanity. The statements. which follow. embrace the personal views Of Sir Edward Grey, secretary Of state for foreign affairs of Great Britain; Count Okuma, premier of. Japan. and Dr. Von Bethmann- Holl- veg. chancellor oi the German cm- pirc, and the official Austrian view, submitted by Dr. Constanin Theo- dore Dumba, the ambassador of Aus ia-Hungary to the United States
 Sir Edward Grcy-"If the Worlds Work wants a contribution to its central idea of cnquiring how the United States may best serve the in tercsts of civilization at this period of change and re-defnition; how best their immunity may be used; and what is their opportunity, not only selhshly, but enthusiastically; the only thing l can say is that a great nation standing outside this Euro pean conflict should use what influ ence it can on the side of right and against wrong. Perhaps l may ex- plain how impossible it is for a mem per of a government who believes that they are fighting for the indepcnd- ence of their country, and that all they care for and believe is at stake, to do anything except plead the cause of that country and to ask at least for sympathy
 Count Okuma-"While it would be both unwisc and premature to cX- press at this time any opinion as to where and how the present war should be or will be terminated and peace be restored, I feel certain and, therefore, safe to say that the ex- periences of this titanic struggle will bring most forcibly home to Us all sense of the wcighty burdens and the horrible waste of war. There and then will be an opportunity for an impartial wise counsel to prevail. l mean the counsel for reduction of armament and for the cultivation oi the spirit of mutual federation and esteem among peoples of different races and crecds, with consequent adherence on the part of all nations to the principle of reciprocal free dom and equality in their intercourse with each other. As long as nations of the world live in armed peace and as long as they permit their peoples to be ruled by social animositics or national prejudices there can be no real peace and the world will have to suffer forever.
 But who is to be the one that shall give such an impartial counsel and have it listened to? To me it looks as if by Providence the United States is kept apart from the pres cnt momentous struggle. I sincere ly hope she will remain so through out it."
 Dr. Von Bcthmann- Hollwcg-'I have been asked by the editor of the Worlds Work to give an answer to the question, how the United States could best make its neutrality ser yiceable for the purpose of helping the cause of humanity during the present terrible war. The answer seems obvious.
 The people of the United States will best serve the cause of peace and humanity by being not only neu- tral according to the letter of Pres idcnt Wilson's proclamation, but also impartial in the spirit of his furth- CT utterances. This is the only way to gain the confidence of the whole | world and without this confidence the United States cannot hope to render the important services to the cause of humanity which it wishes to render.
 Germany hopes that peace will come soon. After the great sacrifices which the German nation has brought with an unanimity and de votion without parallel in history, no peace can, however, be acceptable which does not guarantee Germany against a second attack from its pres ent enemies. Germany does not wish to dominate the world, or, like British navalism. to rule the waves. All it wants is equal opportunity, op en door politics, and open commerce throughout the world. Least of all does Germany desire to seek expan- sion on the American continent. This however, has been said so often of 6cially by the imperial government that l need hardly repeat it here'
 Official Austrian When, af- ter the dreadful slaughter of hun dreds of thousands, doubtless signs of lassitude, slackening of the fiery spirit amongst the nations in arms will be perceptiblc the mo-
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