Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-06-24
MEDIATION, SAYS
BRYAN, IS THE
WAY OUT" OF WAR

| Washington, June 1S.-Former Secre-
tary Bryan in the third and concluding
section of his statement on THE Cause
less War" issued to-day, suggests media
ton the way out" As a preventive
of war, Mr.. Bryan proposes universal ex-
tension of his investigation commission
peace treaty plan
mediation" the former secretary OF
state says. lis the means, provided by
International agreement. through which
the belligerent nations can be brought
into conference time for investigation of
wars can be averted and the cultivation
Of international friendship is the means
by which the desire for war can he root
ed out"
In celebrating his plan for restoration
Of peace. Mr. Bryan urges:
That neutral nations in advocat tin 2
peace crystalline sentiment iu favor Of
peace into coercive force and offer me-
diation Jointly or severally that the war
ring nations Join in treaty to provide
for investigation "by a perma nent inter-
national commission Of eve y dispute
that may arise, no matter VIII It its char
acter or nature" and thnt worldwide
spirit Of brotherhood among the nations
he undertaken as the final task of the adj
vocates Of peace
Great nations cannot he eytermi-
mated" says Mr.. BRYAN. "Predictions
made at the beginning of the war have
not been fulfilled The British did not
destroy the German fleet In a month
Germany did not take Paris in two
months and the Russian army did not
eat Christmas dinner in Berlin. But
even If determination were possible.
1t would be crime against civiliza-
tion which no nation or group Of ma =
tons could afford to commit" MIR.
Bryan continues: When can peace he
restored? Any time now, II the par
Elephants are really weary OF this war
and ready for it to end If any nation
is not ready, let its ruler state in
clear, distinct and definite terms the
conditions upon which it is willing to
agree to peace: then if an agreement
is not reached, blame for continuance
of the war Will be upon those who
make unusual demands"
In proposing mediation, the former
secretary points out that the Hague
convention expressly declares an offer
of mediation shall not be considered an
'unfriendly act and adds:
THE duty of offering mediation may
seem to rest primarily upon the United
States, the largest of the neutral ma
tons and the one most intimately
bound by tie of blood to all the bell
lgerents. The United States did make
an offer immediately after the war be-
gan, but why not again and again un-
til our offer or some other offer is &C
cepted? But our action or failure to
act need not deter any other neutral
nation from action. This is not a time
to stand on ceremony; If any other
country. for any reason-no matter
what the reason may be--is in a bet
ter position than we to tender its good
Offices 1T should not delay a moment"
To assure permanent peace Mr., Bryan
urges that his plan of arbtrton treaties
be adopted by the warning nations.
"A treaty such as those whl,n now
protect the peace of the United States
he says. would give a years time for
Investigation ana report and who doubts
that a years dine l.ould be sufficient TO
reach an amicab'r solution >. almost
every difficulty. Ices anyonr suppose
that the present ar wou,1 have been
begun if years time nal boon taken
to investigate the dispute oatwcen AIS
tlia and Serbia"