The Detroit times., 1915-12-06
Bryan Eul0gizes
Ford and Trip
BY WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN
Copyright. 1918. nv the Newspaper

BY WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN
tCopyright. 1918, by the Newspape
EnterpriSe Association.)
Peace voyages like that upoT
which Mr.. Ford and his companion!
have embarked are an indication o
a growing desire that something
shall be done. The question Is no
whether Mr.. Ford's plan will NEE
with imm ediate success-time only
cen answer that question. The rea
question Is whether II desesge'
success, and to this question ever3
one who desires peace must answer
"Yes."
II can do no harm--it has already
done good. Z has started people
TO talking about peace here and III
Europe-that is so niue gained
and IL has exposed TO contempt the
sordid interests that ridlcule all
talk of peace
Then. too, there is an inspira-
ton In the earnestness and unselr-
ishness of a man OF large wealth
who is controlled by his heart in
stead OF his pocketbook.
Health and safety to those who
sail: they are in search OF come
thing more precious than the golden
fleece. Success attend them!
No one can do more than guess
in regard TO the time when peace
will come. or as TO the means by
which II can be fastened.
One phase VI the subject has not
been sufficiently considered, name
ly. the right Of the neutral nations
to bring moral pressure TO bear
upon the beligerents to state the
terms upon which peace can be
restored. The Hague convention
expressly declares that an ofrer, OF
mediation shall not be considered an
unfriendly act. On the contrary.
specifically encouraged on the
ground that humanity. as a whole.
Is interested in stopping a war.
But the rIgnt OF the neutral ma
tons to urge peace rests on the
ground OF material interests as well
as on the ground Of humanity. They
are bearing burdens OF taxation
which would not be necessary but
for the war; domestic questions
are being subordinated to issues
raised by the war; every neutral ma
ticn is in danger of being dragged
into the war and some are almost
forced into II.
In each nation the financial yui
lures who live on the woes OF then
country are using the war as an
argument In favor OF increased ex
penditures on preparedness. Why
should the nations at war obstruct
the highways of the world. interfere
with neutral trade and endanger the
lives Of those who travely All the
neutral nations suffer. and those
who suffer have a right to complain.
The president proposed mediation
Immediately after the war began,
but that was Is months ago. re-
gret that he does not see his way
clear to make the offer again. The
smaller nations wait on this nation
and fear the president has been
deceived as to the wishes of the
people.
There are big corporations In this
country that are financially inter
.ested in the continuance OF the war
corporations that sell ammunitions
at an enormous profit and corpora
tons that float war loans at a high
rate. and these corporations speak
through metropolitan newspapers.
The masses have no voice except
as they speak through officials elect
ed by them OF through petitions.
They should communicate with their
Representatives.
In politics the fear OF the people
Is the beginning OF wisdom; the
people can easily control congress
IL they will only speak TO congress
\ m.