The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-06-19
MR. RRYAN's SECOND
STATEMENT IN FULL.

In order that Mr.. Bryan's whole ar
gument for peact and plans for obtain
ing 1t may be in the hands of its read
ers. the Virginia prints in full this
morning the second installment una
voidably omitted from Fridays paper.
Text of Statement.
Mr.. Bryans statement is as follows:
The conflict now raging In Europe
has been described as The Causeiess
War; but since no one would be bold
enought to lay the blame for such an
unhoiy situation upon an overriding
Providence, 1t must find Its origin in
acts for which man, and man alone, is
responsible.
1T is not race war; en- the con-
trary, the races are quite inexpiica bly,
mixed. Latin joins with Saxon; the
Frank is the ally of the Slav: while
in the opposing ranks Teuton and Turk
fight side by side.
Neither is IL a. religious war. On
the Bosphorus the cross and the cres-
ent make common cause; Protestant
kaiser and Catholic emperor have
linked their fortunes together and
hurl their veteran Eegions against
an army In which are indiscriminateiy
mingled communicates OF the Greex
Church, of the Church of Rome and
of the Church of England.
Nor yet Is 1t a rivalry between
families. The leading actors In this
unprecedented tragedy are related
by blood, but kinship seems to be a
negligible factor--it explains neither
friendships nor enmities.
No race, religion and family. each
with many wars to answer for, can
plead not guilty in the present inquiry.
fa~ - i,sa
pears upon the surface no cause that
by any known standard can be regard
ed as adequate for such a cataclysm
as we are now witnessing.
The notes that passed from chan
celery to chancellery were couched in
most friendly language. These notes
could not have been intended to de-
ceive. Sovereigns visited each other
and were received with every evidence
OF cordiality and good will. This hos
pitality could not have been insin-
cere.
Each ruler declared that ne did
not wish war: would they all say this
IL an adequate cause for war had
actually existed? They have all de-
MED responsibility for the war,-would
they have done so II they had regard
ed the war as either necessary or
desirable?
False Philosophy.
"But there is even better proof; aye,
indisputable proof, that no sufYicient
cause existed--viz.. the conclusion to
be drawn from inaction.
Would not these rulers have busted
themselves trying TO save their sub
tects by the eradication OF the cause
had they known or the existence or
such cause? Would they have spent
their time. In social Festivities and IN
exchanging compliments had they
known that, they were on the brink
of war? 1t Is inconceivable! It would
be gross libel on them--one and
ALTO change such wanton disre-
gard OF their sacred duty
What. then, was the cause? If 4
have correctly analyxed the, situation
the war is the natural result OF
false, philosophy. Theories OF life
are invisible, but they control for
good or for evil Then enter our very
being. and may be as deadly to the
moral man as germs OF disease. taken
into the body, are deadly to the ply
sicat man. The fundamental precept
OF This false philosophy II that might
makes right It IL not proclaimed
now - loudly a. Il once ssaa hut Il