New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-07-03
BRYAN CALLS FOR
TERMS OF PEACE
Urges World Has Right to
Know What Warning
Nations Demand.
[By Telegraph 70 The Tribune. ]

Ogden, Utah, July Fin reply to an
open letter from Baron d'Estournelles
de Constant, Of Paris, william j. Bryan
has sent to the baron letter, IN which
be says:
"Your open letter, dated June IT, re-
calls the many pleasant days which
VIC have enjoyed together as co-labor-
ers in the cause Of peace. | am greatly
distressed that the situation in Europe
compels you and other distinguished
pacifists residing in the belligerens
nations 10 turn aside from the peace
Propaganda in order that each. true 20
MS patriotic impulses, may support his
nation in the unprecedented conflict
which now convulses the OH World.
You and they could not do otherwise.
IF, however, peace advocates resid-
ing in the warning countries are IN
duty bound to support their respective
governments while the war continues,
y is likewise the duty OF the citizens
Of neutral nations 10 be neutral N
spirit as we'll as in word and act. Il
would violate the spirit OF neutrality
Cor neutrals 10 declare judgmcrt upon
the acts of the belligerent nations.
They have not the complete informa-
tion necessary TO form an unbiased
judgment, even IL they felt It their
dIty to announce such judgment dur
in(- the progress of the war
while | regret that you should
deem my government deserving OF
criticism, still am not surprised. The
neutral countries, If they carefully re-
frain from unneutrsl acts, must expect
criticism from both sides, because each
side is too intensely interested in IT'S
own success TO act as an impartia!
Judge. Il is as natural that the Allies
should criticize US for not doing things
that would help them as il is for Ger
many and Austria 70 criticize US for
not placing an embargo on arms ana
ammunitions. Criticism from botn
sides is proof that this government has
successfully maintained a neutral posi-
tion.
al do not conceive it to be the duty
of neutrals to decide at this time
whether it is more cruel TO attempt
TO drown non-combatants az sea than
il is 20 endeavor 10 starve non-com-
batants on land. Neutrals can, IN my
oninion. serve humanity better by re-
fusing 20 approve of either method OF
warfare.
81 am sending you by mail me views
which | have expressed, and | shall
very much appreciate your Judgmen.
upon the propositions which, IN the
interests OF humanity, ] venture 10
advance. | especially call your atten-
ton to my statement entitled Inc
Causeless War; and beg you 20 give
me the benefit of your opinion upon
the facts presented and the conclusions
drawn from them.
ITO my mind, the paramount ques-
ton now is not who began the war
or. Which side has been most cruel
in its conduct of the war? History
will render verdict on these qles-
tons when passion has subsidized, ard
when all the facts are obtalnable. ne
most important question now IS, no"
can peace be restored
The war cannot last always; tie
end must come some time. Why should
any bellgerent nation hesitate 70 state
the conditions upon which II will agree
to peace? The war IS not an interna-
tional secret; il is being waged IN
public, and all nations are suffering.
Has not the world a right 20 know why
bloodshed continues? Is u not due
the neutral nations that the partic.-
pants should give, not vague general
tiles. but definite and explicit state
ments as TO the end sought II tne
belligerents are TOO much ABSORBED II
the struggle to consider the rights OF
neutrals, do they not owe II 70 their
own brave soldiers and their own SUI
fering people 20 answer tho question,
why DO we de-
What knows but that peace may bs
possible now, not truce, but a per-
manent and enduring peace' II the
nations will Only make known for what
they are fighting, they may find u
possible 10 come 20 a satisfactory un-
Outstanding. determination az 20 what
is being cone and silence as 20 what -
desired these mean an indefinite pro-
longation of the struggle.
"The only possible hope OF reaching
an end lies in frank statement by
each nation of its position. In an
nouncing the terms which will be &C,
ceptable, the nations will be restrained
by a sense of responsibility because
upon the nation or nations which de-
mand conditions which are unjust mus:
rest the blame for a continuation OF
the Undesirable woes Of this unspeak-
able war. The conditions Of peace must
be announced ultimately; why not
now?'