New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-10
PEACE POSSIBILITIES
What Might Be Done When the
War Is Over.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: The peace propaganda that is now
being theoretically and actively forced by
Mr.. Henry Ford brings up some very inter
esting questions for consideration.
The character of the titanic struggle re-
quires TO be recognized, in relation to the
possibilities of lasting peace being estab-
lished before the issues are definitely set
tied. It is now recognized generally that
basically two principles are at stake; the
question is which of the two is 10 assume the
supreme control Of the conduct Of the affairs
Of mankind.
On the one side lies German Kultur, which
may crudely be defined as organized eff
fciency. subject to autocratic control" To
the successful working out in detail Of the
Kutur principle autocratic control is an in
dispensable necessity, and indvidualism, ex-
cept within very narrow limits, is not pos
sible.
The result Of the application Of this system
Is too clearly demonstrated and too well
known through the development of the Ger
gained efficiency is desirable develop
ment, and in economic efficiency the world
has much to learn from Germany.
The necessity of autocratic control in the
application of German Kultur is the rock
on which it splits in the vain effort to i'm
pose its mandates upon all humanity. Dem
ocratic principles are Numerically opposed
to the basic principle Of Kultur, namely, au-
tccratic control, and they are irreconcilable
~
struggle is one that is far beyond the effort
Of any individual or individuals, no matter
how well organized, to bring TO an abrupt
termination.
The settlement when made will affect pro-
foundly the entire world, as one or the
other Of these two principles will be su-
rreme.
The Prince of Peace said, when on earth.
81 come, not TO bring peace, but a sword"
difficult saying, but now quite clear In the
events Of history. For example: He did not
attack the system of slavery then universal;
it was not necessary that He should do So.
He knew that the principles Of Christianity
and the principles Of slavery could not exist
in peace side by side One or the other must
be supreme. The Civil War Of the United
States over the question of slavery exempli-
fes this.
1t makes no difference what form the prin-
ciple of autocracy may assume, there will
exist a condition Of perpetual warfare be-
tween il and the democracy, until one or
the other is supreme. The evolutionary ethi-
cal development Of mankind shows the steady
upward and onward progress Of the masses
OF humanity toward larger and wider free
dom from autocratic control.
A new civilization is dawninc on the world,
and democracy is coming into its own. A
new Magma Charta is in process of being. not
for individual nations, but for all mankind.
All nations. the small as well as the great
will be safe within their own frontiers and
under their chosen form Of government, for
there shall be none TO make them afraid.
Mr. Ford should take the view that the
most benefcent form his organizing genius
and wealth could be devoted to for the good
G.. humanity would be in the constructive
work that will require urgently the best and
highest genius Of the world on the termina.
ton OF this terrible war.
Then to exert his every effort in the di.
rection of ascertainng how he can best
utilize his powers Of organization and his
wealth, in binding up the wounds and re-
establishing the moral health Of the war raw
aged countries Of Europe, he would be CO.
operating aHu using 10 NHe pest advantage the
very potent powers that he holds lin trust)
for the benefit of humanity
T. does not call for any argument TO de-
monstrate that il does not lie within the
power Of man or of neutral nations TO termi-
nate this war until the issues are decsiyely
determined. To repeat the known factors is
TO repeat what are now platitudes.
The Prophet Isaiah puts a question that
applies with a peculiar aptness to the Ger
man Kaiser and the forces that are coordit'
mating to bring about his downfall, coming