The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-12-15
Oscar StrauS Pleads for Justice
Against Might.
Former Ambassador to Turkey
Traces FOlIies of Men.
MILITARISM A FLAMING TORCH
Pacifism Likewise Has Failed
to Sheathe Sword.
Only Hope Lies in World
League, Bent on Equity.

charleston, D T., Dec 45-FoinI-
ing to the great war as proof that
both nilitarists and pacifists have
failed completely as protectors Of
peace, Oscar S. Straus, former am
bassador to Turkey, declared in an adj
dress before the Southern Commercial
Congress that there must be an in
ternational reconstruction on an en-
tirely different basis.
This world war is a distinct proof
that neither pacifism without might
nor might unless dominated by right
can be effectual in securing a per-
manent peace" said Mr.. Straus. "A
engulfed the nations had the inter
national relationship and foundations
been rightfully constructed"
Three distinct methods of world or
ganization have been developed, tried
and found wanting. declared MIR.
Straus. First was the dominance of
nations by great world powers such as
was Greece under Alexander. After
the Napoleanic war he said the sec
ond method of keeping the peace was
developed, the system of the balance
of power and of the concert of Eu-
rope under which several nations
fensive alliances. The third arrange
ment was the formation of group al
liances, such as the triple alliance on
the one side and the triple entente
on the other.
Europe in Two Powerful Camps.
This dual arrangement, dividing
Europe into two vast and powerful
camps continued Mr.. Straus, sit was
hoped would have the effect which is
epitomized in the expression that one
sword would keep the other in its
scabbard. But this war proves that it
has had the contrary effect 1t has
multiplied the swords on both sides;
it has developed militarism as never
before and has piled up those crush
ing ornaments that are today clash
ing against one another in the most
fT-iGhffn1 and hlnndi61t in all his
tory
Mr.. straus asserted that the three
methods already tried were built on
false foundations. They were built,
not as strongholds for peace. The
maintenance of peace could be
achieved only by the development of
a stronger power devoted to that
cause
ANY future plan to be lasting" said
Mr. Straus, must take into considera-
ton the conflict between the two
schools, the one holding that might
makes light, and the other which de-
sires to place the entire international
system upon the basis of strictly moral
conceptions, and in so doing recon- \
Struct international relationship, not
as heretofore exclusively on the basis
of war, but doninsntly on the basis
OF peace
Dominance of a single power and
division of power having failed, Mr..
Stratus said, there must be unity OF
power, the uniting of the nations in
their own interest and the placing of
their united might as guardians OF
the right of each nation on the same |
principle as We constitute the power
of the forty-eight states as the guar
dams of the rights of each state
League to Enforce Peace.
Many plans have been devised
said Mr. Straus, but none, in my |
judgment, has laid a better founda-
ton for international peace than has
l,xyt Tno to en-
force Peace That plan, briefly stated, |
consists of three provisions. First, all
justiciable questions shall be subject
TO an international court; second, all
questions that are not subject to judi |
cial determination shall be submitted
to a council of Cancellation for hear |
ing, consideration and recommends
ton; third, the powers shall use their
joint forces, economic and military, |
against any one of their number who
goes to war before submitting its diff
ferences.
''It is a fact we would deceive our
selves in failing to recognize that |
fundamental changes in the progress
of mankind have rarely, if ever, been
possible, save by war and as sequel
of war The history of the nations |
from Armageddon to the invasion of
Belgium teaches that war will not be
banished until the leading and more
powerful nations become civilized
enough to create an organization that
cannot only induce but can force re-
sort to other means than war and that
will be able to impose necessary and |
fundamental changes without war"
America, Mr.. Straus said, was as
much concerned in the worlds peace
as the nations at war and must take
part in the reconstruction. He de-
clared the war had revealed the fact
that there cannot be one standard of
morals within nation and a different
and lower standard as between ma
tons. All the machinery that has been
devised in the past for the main
tenance of peace, he said, has been
left to volunteer efforts; hereafter the
nations must at least put much
force as has heretofore
been put forth for the preparation of
war.
I'VE must educate a new con-
science" declared the speaker, which
will put no geographical limitations
upon right and justice. Civilized man
must recognize that there is something
more important than the individual,
that that is the nation; and that there
is something more important than the
nation, and that is the world