The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-08-17

Sohn Brisben walker, President OF 90
eiety, Points Out That Militarism
Would Accomplish the Downfall Of
Democratic Institutions and Says
Now 10 Time For People to Protest.
Charges that the manufacturers of
armor and war munitions are back of
q colossal movement to make this a
militarist government are made by
John Brisben Walker, president of the
Friends of Peace.
Mr.. Walker asserts that the militia
rist movement is but thinly covered un-
der the preparedness" plea now going
the rounds Of the press and that If the
scheme succeeds 1t will mean the
downfall of our democracy. Mr.. Wal
kers statement Is as follows:
''TO the Press of the United States:
Editorials and news items are ap-
pearing in many newspapers which
seek to divert the judgment of the
public from the real issues to be de-
bated at the national convention of the
Friends of Peace. to be held In Chi
cago on Sept s.
"As have accepted the invitation Of
the several organizations which are COM
bined under the name of the Friends
Of Peace to act rs chairman of the ma
tional committe calling the convention
i ask the privilege of briefly stating
my reasons for action at this time.
Says interests Are at Work.
81 am convinced that the great inter-
ests which have found extraordinary
profits In furnishing battleships, armor
and powder to the United States and
Europe, are seriously at work to foist
upon the American people n great mil
preparedness" believe that mill
tarism, If added to the monetary con-
troll already exercised, will sooner or
latter accomplish the downfall of dem
ocratic institutions. If there ever was
a time when 1t was necessary to awak
en- the people to the dangers Of mill
tarism IL Is now. And with so many.
Of the leading papers sympathetic with
the interests Of these great fortunes,
anxious to rldicule. misrepresent or de-
nounce, this Is difficult task.
'"The monetary control of the United
States by the aggregation of capital
centering in New York is now nearly
absolute. Directly or indirectly, 1t Gov
ers every portion Of every state In the
Union. l have visited nearly every
leading city on the continent within the
past Eve years. and my studies there
force me to the conviction that this is
absolutely true.
ut ls the interest Of this control to
bring the country under miltnrism for
two reasons. First, with view to the
Immense profits In supplying battle
shlps, powder, ETC.; second. to keep the
people agitated over questions outside
OF existing social conditions, even II 1t
should become necessary to throw n
country into war. as In England, where,
under Lloyd George, measures intro
duced affecting the wealthy classes
were continually becoming more and
more drastic.
A Dangerous Combination.
II do not hesitate to say that the
men behind this attempt 10 turn the
country over to militarism constitute
tho most unscrupNlous most avari-
c1cus and most dangerous combination
that has ever been drawn together on
this continent by the hope of plumber.
Zone would have believed that the
Spr0minent men OF this country would
be universally In favor of peace. How
ever, no strong are the financial pow
erS back of this movement, that those
having business interests seem afraid
TO declare themselves. The Chicago
convention Will, nevertheless, be an alb
solute expression of the sentiment of
the men and women of America, 05
per cent Of whom are opposed to mill
tarism In Its every form. The fright
tul fate of Europe, whose people have
allowed milltnrism TO gain the upper
hand, clearly shows what America has
to fear If we permit similar influences
here to gain the asccndHncy.
"lf the world is ever to have free
dom from militarlsm and wars that
threaten civilization itself 1t must be
Through America setting the example
Of calm, Intentional. deliberate refusal
70 take Its place among the bullies of
the globe.
"Now IL the time for the American
people to reach this determination.
New Is the time when their example
should become the hope OF civilization
and the promise to future generations
Ut mankind"