New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-06-20

superable one Il, as ! believe, the ad-
vice of Washington is still revered:
The plan Of The League 10 Enforce
Peace would also involve a SURRENDER
of the Monroe Doctrine. We couId
hardly enter into a settlement OF Euro
pean disputes and at the same time re-
fuse to allow European nations to take
part in the settlement OF disputes IN
the western hemisphere.
But even if we were willing to re,
pudiate the advice Of Washington and
surrender the Doctrine OF Monroe
would the people be willing TO so
amend the Constitution as to transfer
from our Congress to European nations
the right to declare war? The right
TO declare war is vested in Congress;
the plan proposed by The League 10
Enforce Peace would vest the power TO
declare war in a group Of nations, IN
which we could not, of course, exercise
a controlling influence, and-strange
inconsistency-thi plan which contem-
plates a surrender of our independence
was formulated in Independence HALL
1--WE have sought TO aid the world by
example and we have the satisfaction
of knowing that our Constitution has
been copied all over the world and that
our laws are the models upon when
n multitude Of statutes have been VIII,
ten We have been the friend OF all
nations and the counsellor OF many
To depart from this position and JOIN
a group of nations in an agreement
nv the terms Of which we let them de-
clare war for US and bind ourselves to
furnish our quota of men and money
for the enforcement Of. DEGREES when
NAV not represent the wishes of our
reople would not be an ascent TO
higher plane; it would be a descent
and would impair our influence ana
ieopardize our moral prestige. =,
"Our appeal is not to the fears OF
men, but TO their hearts and CON
sciences Our mission is TO lmpIant
hone in the heart of humanity and SUP
stitute higher ideals for the ideals
which have led nations into armed con
ficts. Our religion teaches us to rely
upon the uplifting power OF that "nicn
is good and pure and noble. !, II
be lifted up will draw all men unto
me- This is the higher doctrine
Meyer London, Socialist Representa-
tive from New York, told the audience
there was no possibility of war between
the United States and any other power.
"The other nations are crazy, saio
Ny London, land we would not hght
madmen. This is not a peoples war
bu. q war of governments. The people
are food for cannon only. Their voice
has not been heard.
"For every Bible that has been
printed on the other side thousands OF
cartridges have been manufactured:
Militarism has been the servant OF
commercialism. The best policy for the
limited States TO adopt is the policy
that will spell humanitarianism. This
country should Immediately place an
embargo on arms and food that Will
necessarily starve Europe. Incidental,
ly, in starving Europe we will feed
America"
The Rev. Howard Mellish explained
that he was present at the meeting TO
show Mr.. Bryan that thousands were
with him in his attitude toward war
Representative Frank Buchanan, Of
Illinois, told the audience that the war
was one Of the masses against the
masses, thereby contrsdict!ng what Mr..
London had said earlier-thst II was
war Of governments.
"This is not a cor/cs of plutocracy
against democracy" said Mr.. Bu-
chanan. "But believe that the first
step TO prevent war is to nationalize
the manufacture of war munitions.
Tn. people should have that in their
control"
Wants Editors in Trenches.
Labor, for the first time in the his,
tory of this country, IS taking n stand
against war" said Joseph Cannon, be-
fore he was interrupted by the en-
trance of Mr.. Bryan. Labor is not
for jingoism. Labor is heart and soul
for peace"
Mr.. Cannon explained that for the
last few weeks the public press Of
the country had been conducting a
campaign tending to involve il in the
present war. Loud applause followed
the speakers suggetion that the bank
ers, professional men and editors re-
sponsible for this feeling should be
organized into regiment and sent
10 fill the trenches abroad.
1--WE will not confne ourselves 70
any but the editors in Park Row,
Times Square and Herald Square
said Mr.. Cannon, while a loud gufaw
sounded from several sceptics in a
corner These men will suggest the
extension Of territory, and when that
is accomplished by the death of hun
dreds they will proudly wave the flag