New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-09-03
BACK TO A PEACE BASIS
Opportunity of Neutrals to End
War by international Federation.

To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir. MAY | offer suggestion which, IL
acted upon, might bring TO an end the pres
ent European conflict, namely that the
United States urge the other neutral pow
ers that they join them in intervening on
the side Of the Entente Allies, provided:
First-That they (the Entente Allies)
promise and agree 20 aid the neutral pow
or. in the creation of World Parliament
or the development OF the Hague Tribunal
to this status for the making of interna-
tional laws regarding such subjects as
consensus of public opinion from time 10
time places within the scope of this federal
legislative body
Second-That in order that the decisions
of said legislative body be duly honored
and enforced, they further promise to con-
tribute in common with the neutral powers
at the close of the present war an adequate
and equitable proportion Of their naval and
land forces for the organization and main
tenance of an international police force
on land and sea.
Third-Also, that they agree to uphold
the neutral powers in exacting similar
promises from the Teutonic Allies as one OF
the conditions of peace.
Should the United States succeed in Sc
curing the cooperation of the Entente Al
lies and the other neutral powers in this
undertaking it would confer untold bless
ings on future generations, as well as
hasten the end of the present war.
The reason talk of peace seems utopian
Just now is that the DEGREES Of our one
universal court have been set at naught and
trampled upon by strong nation, thus ne
cessitating a temporary return to anarchy
among the nations. II is utopian and almost
nonsensical TO talk of world peace without
the power to compel refractory and grasp
ing nations to respect the rights of others
and submit their disputes to arbitration. The
non-existence OF this force has permitted
a grave outrage by a pirate nation,
and this should never again be allowed.
Scraps Of paper" must be transmitted into
bands of steel" But while world peace
without world force is utopisn, 1t is with
IN the range of practical craftsmanship to
advocate, organize and maintain an inter-
national police force that should have been
brought into being with the birth of .he
Hague Tribunal.
The suppression of the Boxer rebellion is
proof that organic union is not essential.
The nations that marched on Picking had
rot even a federal relation to China. The
better judgment of the powers said, LET
there be peace" and, only because they had
the power as we'll as the will TO compel it,
there was peace. The success Of their mis-
sion in this case is a striking example of the
practicabiity Of the enforcement of interna-
tional peace.
The history of British rule in India clear
ly demonstrates that a common language,
though desirable, is not absolutely neces-
sary. Such problems closer federation
and the adoption or development of Ian
guage that all can understand may be left
unsolved for the present. There need be no
immediate cooperation in anything except
the compelling of obedience to the decree
Of the Hague Tribunal.
Lovers of peace are at one on this the
world over. They would all fight on the
side of peace if only sure that they were
combating their real enemy, War. No-
would Americans of German birth and de-
scent be behind. They, too, would strike a
blow at war, even if they had to do it by
taking up arms against their own kith and
kin to whom the opportunity of lighting
for world peace had not been given.
"Who knoweth whether" your worthy
President has mot come to the kingdom
for such a time as this?'
ALFRED FITZPATRICK.
Toronto, Canada, Aug. 25, 1915