Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-08-07
BY JANE adams IN HARPER'S
WEEKLY.

" l. 4 al
Many women throughout the world
have set their faces unalterably
against war. This is our reason for
our organization against war. l head
a movement planned to unite woman
hood, In all parts OF the world, in d
great protest against Europe's war
It is called the wOmen's peace party
and is international in scope. It began
its existence at Washington, and is
Increasing in membership with as
tOnishing rapfdity.
AS women we are the cUstodiaus Of
the life Of the ages and we Will not
longer consent to its reckless destruc-
ton. We are particularly charged
with the future Of childhood, the care
Of the helpless and the unfortunate,
and we will not longer endure without
protest that added burden Of MANNED
and invalid men and poverty stricken
women and orphans which war places
on US.
We have builded by the patient
drudgery of the past the basic foun-
dations of the home and Of peaceful
industry; we will not longer endure
that hoary evil which in an hour de-
stroys or tolerate that denial Of the
sovereignty Of reason and justice by
which war and all that makes for war
today render impotent the idealism
Of the race.
Therefore we demand that our right
TO be consulted in the settlement Of
questions concerning not alone the
life Of individuals but Of nations be
recognized and respected, that women
be given q share in deciding between
war and peace.
Some of the objects we are working
on to obtain, are limitations Of arma-
ments and the naturalization Of their
manufacture; organized opposition 10
militarism In our own country and ed
ucation of youth in the ideals of
peace; democratic control of foreign
policies; the further humanizing Of
governments by the extension of the
franchise to women; concert of ma
tons" to supercede balance Of pow
err; action toward the gradual organ
ization of the world to substitute law
for war.
We also believe in the substitution
of an international police for rival
armies and navies; removal of the eco
monte causes Of war; the appointment
by our government OF a commission
of men and women, with an adequate
appropriation, to promote information
al peace.
At the present moment women In
Europe are being told: Bring child
rem into the world for the benefit Of
the nation; for the strengthening of
future battle lines; forget everything
that you have been taught TO hold
dear; forget your long struggle 10 es-
tablish the responsibilities of father
hood; forget all but the appetite Of
war for human flesh. It must be sat
isied and you must be the ones to
feed it. cost what it may
This war is destroying the home
unit in the most highly civilized coun-
tries Of the world to an extent which
IS not less than appalling. Could
there be a more definite and dreadful
illustration Of the tendencies Of war
to break down and destroy the family
unite All such consequences OF war
mitigate against the age long efforts
OF women 10 establish the paternity OF
her child and the fathers responsible |
ity for it.
In the interest Of this effort the state |
has made marriage matter OF license |
and record, and the church has sur |
rounded 1t by every possible sanctitv, |
Under the pressure OF war. however,