The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1915-02-03
THE HAsKIN LETTER
The Women's Peace Movement
BY Frederic y. Haskin.

II did not raise my son to be soldier
do not want to see my darling
boy
March Off to war, gun upon hi.
shoulder,
With which to. wreck some other
| mothers JOY"
The influence Of this crude little
music-hall ballad has been keenly
felt by those who have to secure the
enlistment OF young men in tho army
of Great Britain. 1t was first sung
a few weeks after the opening OF
the war, and the spirit Of 1t is sweep
ing over all Europe as well IS En-
gland. 1t has crossed the Atlantic
ocean and Is aiding in the develop
ment OF the womens peace move
ment in America. A sense OF tho
cruelty and injustice OF war Is being
aroused In the minds and heatrs OF
all womankind.
Because America is now the only
great world power unaffected by war,
1t was felt that an international
peace effort could be best develop
ed by the women here. Aided by
Madame Rosika Schwimner, OF
Austria and Mrs. ,Pethick. Lawrence.
OF England, the foundation OF a world
wide peace campaign for women was
laid in Washington last month -
great mass meeting attended by
many prominent women representing
every part of the United States.
Il Tho name nR tho y,aur a,.Svo >, f,a u =,
Is THE Woman's Peace Party" Its
president is Miss Jane Adams. and
It's Headquarters for, the present are
at Hull House. Chicago The pur-
pose OF the organization is to en-
list the efforts OF all American wo.
men in arousing the nations OF the
world to respect the sacredness OF
human life and to abolish war. The
platform includes eleven p1anks, the
first favoring the calling Of a con.
vention of neutral nations in the
Interests OF an early peace in Eu-
rope. Just how this is to be brought
about is not yet definitely decided,
but the women are planning to work
Ivaliantly for it.
Other planks include the limita-
ton Of ornaments and the nation
alization Of their manufacture; the
education of youth in the ideals OF
peace; the organized opposition to
militarism in this country; Concert
of nations" instead Of a balance of
power" and the removal Of the
economic causes OF war.
One of the first efforts will be
made to secure the appointment, by
the government of the United States,
of commission Of men and women
with adequate appropriation and au-
thority to take definite steps toward
petition to Congress for this purpose
is now under way. The signatures
will represent the great mass OF
American womanhood.
The Woman's Peace Party is alb
solutely opposed to any war-like
preparation in this country. It Is
Ialready circulating the following
resolutions: Resolved, that we de-
nounce, with all the earnestness of
which we are capable, the concerted
efforts now, being made to force this
nation into still further prepared
ness for war. We desire to make a
solemn appeal to the higher attrib-
utes Of humanity to help US unmask
this menace to our civilization" The
ministers of many churches have al
ready endorsed this resolution, which
is also to be presented to the MEM
bers OF Congress with many sigma
lures attached.
The Peace Party is rapidly organ
izing in all parts Of this country and
laffiliating by correspondence, with
the women's peace organizations Of
other countries. The general feder-
alton of women's club Is cooperating
in every way. State presidents and
secretaries are supplying the names
of the different local organizations to
which literature and membership
blanks have been sent. The peace
work is not new in the clubs. Hun
dreds of them have had peace COM
\ mittees for years. The new Peace
Party will endeavor to unite all
peace efforts in one great crusade
which will ultimately cover the
world
Every woman in the country IL
eligible to membership in the Peace
Party. Sustaining members win
pay one dollar year into the ma
tional treasury. Local groups
wherever organized. will pay five dol
lars to the same purpose in addi-
ton to the money used for their
local work. The funds secured BY
dues and donations. which are al
ready coming in literally. will be
used to propagate peace sentiment
Throughout the country by supplying
Literature. public lectures and other
means. The money contributed will
all go directly to this purpose, since
the officers are giving their services
gratuitously.
The underlying principle OF the
women's peace movement is domi-
mated by maternalism, which repre-
sents the broadcast humanitarian eff
forts of the world. Years ago, while
prisoner in Boer hut. guarded
day and night by six Kafir soldiers.
Olive Schreiner rewrote from menu
DRY her great book, Women and La
bor." The first manuscripts had
been destroyed by the soldiers who
wrecked her home and scattered her
library to the four winds. Out Of the
fullness OF her own experience and