New Britain herald., 1915-06-16
GREATEST CHANCE IN
HISTORY FOR U. S.
Bryan Says We Will Have 0ppor-
tunity to Pacify Warning Nations

Washington, June 16.-Former
Secretary Bryan, in the first section
of his statement on "The causeless
war" today prophesied that the
greatest peace making opportunity in
all history was certain to come to the
United States and declared there
would be demand for an interna-
tional conference, with the return of
peace, to change the rules of inter-
national law, which seem to have
been made for the nations at war
rather than for the nations at peace"
Under the stress and strain OF
the titanic struggle in which they
are engaged Mr.. Bryan's statement
says. each side has felt itself justi-
fled in encroacning upon the rights
of neutrals The ocean highways, the
common property Of all, have been
to some extent appropriated for war
purposes, and delicate diplomatic
questions are forced upon the neu-
trail nations.
U. S. Must Set Example.
Just at this time, when these
questions are most acute, the belli-
gerent governmentes are least able to
deal with them with the calmness and
spofse which their great Importance
demands No wonder every neutral
nation is increasingly anxious for the
war to end; but OF all the neutral
nations ours has the most reason to
pray for the return of peace-most
reason to set its face resolutely
against participation in its war This
nation, the head Of the neutral group
and the sincere friend Of all the billi-
gerents, IS in duty bound to set an
example in patience and self-re-
strai1t.
In all history no such opportuni-.
ty has ever come to, any other ma
ton as that which is destined to
come to the United States. In all
history no other peace-maker has
ever been in position to claim as
rich blessing as that which will be
pronounced upon our president when
the time for mediation comes-as
come it must"
Describes Horrors or War.
Introducing his statement Mr.
Bryan graphically describes the
horrors and afflictons Of the war, and
says: Neutral nations cannot look
on with indifference-tne ties that
bind them together are too strong,
the relationship too intimate This
is especially true OF the United States
We have a composite population
every nation of Europe having con-
literally to our citizenship.
These. our contrymen, themselves,
born abroad or Immediately descended
from foreign-born ancestors, cannot
but take a lively interest IN the con-
duct as well as In the results OF the
war, and a still larger circle shares
the concern Of those directly ICON
nected. Not soldier falls on geither
side but the sorrow expressed in his
nome finds an echo at some fireside
In the United States"
Aside from sentimental considera-
ton, Mr.. Bryan asserts, neutral ma
items suffer serious disturbance because
Of the war.
New Domestic Problem.
Nearly every neutral nation finds
new domestic problems thrust upon It
and old problems made more diff
cult, the statement declares. mo
American citizen can note without
deep concern the manner In which
war questions have intruded them
selves into our politics-overshadow dow
ing economic issues, ana stimulating
agitation in favor of enlarged appro-
priations for military and naval pur-
poses
At some length Mr.. Bryan refers to
to neutral commerce, de-
rangement of business ana consequent
readjustments, and speaks of scarcity
pr American ships as one Of the
greatest endorsements to the
United States.
Great Expense for NeutraIs.
The neutral nations are. put to
great expense to preserve neutrality
and are consequently in danger of
being embroiled in the war without
intention or fault on their own part
lie declared. THE rules of interna-
tlonal law seem to have peen made
for the nations at war, rather than for
the nations at peace. It is almost
impossible to alter these rules during
the war, because any material change.
affecting as 1T would the interests or
the belligerents, would be seeming
violation Of neutrality
AS soon as peace returns, there
will be demand for an international
conference on the subject. The pre-
sumption should then be given to
peace, for peace, not war, is the
normal condition. If nations are de-
termined to fight, they should, as far
as possible, bear the burden them
selves and not be permitted to trans
fer it to the nations which avoid war
by resorting to reason instead of
force"
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