Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-09-07
Would Arouse Sentiment All
Over Country to End Euro
pean War.
NEUTRAL Governments
ASKED TO FURTHER PLAN
Preliminary Continuous Conference
to Discuss Terms and Condi-
lions Is Proposed.

A group of prominent business men
of the United States, including 8. w.
Woodward of Washington, has sent out
to the public a peace proposal charao-
terixed as "A Business Mans Plan"
through which It Is hoped to arouse the
sentiment Of business organizations
and individuals all over tho country.
for the purpose Of ending the war in
Europe.
The proposal, which 10 published In q
pamphlet In six languages Dutch. Eng
lish, French. German. italian and Span
ish), is accompanied by copies OF what
is called "A Practical Prayer" which
was presented by Representative Cald-
er recently to President Wilson and the
representatives at Washington OF All
the other governments not at war.
Appeal TO Governments.
The prayer is as follows:
To the government Of the United
States, and to the governments Of all
other nations not at war.
I'VE, the undersigned citizens Of the
United States. holding all shades Of
opinion with regard to the merits of
the present conflict In Europe, fervent-
ly pray that you will use the great In
huence of your respective governments,
with the governments of the nations at
war, to persuade them to appoint dele
gates to a preliminary continuous con-
ference, whereat terms and conditions
looking toward peace shall be discuss
ed until peace is established, or until ;, q
formal peace conference is organized"
In connection Herewith 1t Is stated:
1T Is believed by the signers hereto
that this petition suggests q channei
through which negotiations may be
t@
ligerent: that 1t expresses the cry
from the hearts OF millions OF the
people of the earth. and as a suppl
cation coming from them through
combined governmental presentation
might be made effective; we also feel
that this petition will be supported by
the people OF every nation IN tho
world"
Originator Of the Plan.
Tho business mems plan for peace
was originally proposed by Charles L.
Bernheimer, chairman of the commit
tee on arbitration of the Chamber OF
Commerce Of the State of New York.
a member of the Board of Trade OF
New York and of the Merchants Assoc
citation Of New York. In the pamphlet
which Celebrates the plan IL ID stateo
by Mr.. Bernheimer:
The little plan that offer and which
i have earnestly tried to make practi-
cable and flexible for quick utility has
leafiet form, and in response to 1t
have in my possession about thou
sand letters from representative BODIES
such as chambers of commerce. boards
of trade. fraternities. Masonic orders
commercial associations. civic bodies,
colleges: from judges. mayors. govern
ors Of states, senators, representatives.
bishops, diplomats. hard-headed sober
minded business men-men OF note IN
their local communities and through
out the country-expresstng approval,
the desire to cooperate and sugges-
tions that the leaflet be prepared for
wider distribution.
I'm our merchants associations.
boards Of trade, chambers of commerce,
labor unions, in our farmers associa-
lions, our fraternities, clubs, etc, we
have committees of all sorts-member-
ship committees. finance committees,
welfare committees, but why haven't
we peace committees!
Collective Action Best.
why haven't we active committees
for peace to formulate basis for the
expression Of the views of their larger
bodies? Collective action is our strong
est means. A collective voice becomes
Irresistible. Will you lend your help
toward establishing peace committees
in those associations which stand close
to you in your daily life, and a few Of
which are named above? Let these
active committees receive and consider
the opinions, criticism. suggestions of
the members Of their organizations so
that the collective thought OF each as
ISOLATION is finally sifted and concen
trated upon this work. This opinion
to be communicated to the men of
your nation who hold the reins of gov
eminent. In that way only can they
ascertain how the people think. feel
and Judge. Newspapers are not al
ways refectors OF public opinion; they
often strive, to be its leaders.
TT has been said that 1t is too early
to talk-to thinker make plans for
peace: yet millions of homes and lives
have been ruined; the wives. the moth
ers and the little children suffer beyond
expression; and the violation of life
continues. Is there one real man or
woman who would say that 1t Is too
early to put forth his or her hands In
help?
Il submit that hero as in other mat
tiers the public Is a party that should
have a voice in the final settlement
feel certain that if IL is represented the
ultimate settlement will be nearer to
the demands OF modern civilization and
ethical standards. The civilian should
be directly represented. There should
be men in commercial activity, men in
the professions, men from the ranks OF
labor and agriculture-or all of them;
and the women, too. should be repre-
scented"
VISITING P. o. BRANCHES.