Der Deutsche correspondent. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1841-1918, 1916-08-26
WHY AMERICA DOES NOT HEAR
OF THE DEMANDS FOR
PEACE IN BRITAIN.

IEfACE IN Bl(iIAAN.
Every day the Anglo-American
press speaks of the desire Of the
German people for peace. But not
word is said of any peace move
ment in Great Britain. To the con-
trary, the impression is fostered that
the entire English nation is anxious
to prosecute the war to the bitter
end But what the situation in
Great Britain actually is a British
Quaker tells the American people in
an article in the New York Evening
Mail.
after a careful perusal of your
daily press" writes this British
Quaker, 1.-THE impression is left that
it is the opinion of the average
American that every Britisher In the
United Kingdom is fully convinced
of the imperative need to prosecute
the war to satisfactory conclu-
sion"-to use a current phrase in
England, whatever it may exactly
mean; that they are equally con-
vinced of the Righteousness Of their
cause, and that European civilization
depends on an allied victory
THAT is far from being true.
world does not hear more Of the de-
mand for peace that Is growing in
Britain is due to the fact that as a
result of England's unholy alliance
with one of the most tyrannical and
oppressive governments In Europe,
viz, Russia, there is at the present
moment a most vigorous suppression
Of public criticism of the government
a nd rot f4roI of "a Ocf< Il
secution Of those who favor peace
which can only be compared to the
worst period of the Star Chamber.
There are in England four fairly
powerful organizations which oppose
the war and militarism, and demand
peaceful negotiations as the only
lasting means to settle the present
dispute.
They are the Fellowship of Re
conciliation, composed largely of
members Of the Society of Friends,
and kindred religious communities;
the No-Conscription Fellowship,
composed of young men of military
age, who on principle will not bear
arms because they know that war
fare never has, never will, and never
can settle, satisfactorily any inter-
national dispute.
This society has membership Of
10000 men of military age, besides
large number of associates and
friends over military age.
Labor Party Growing.
Then there is the Independent
Labor party, numbering about 1907
600 active members, and who are
receiving great accessions Of strength
Cf cd
months. And there is the old Peace
Society and the Society Of Friends
the old Quakers, who can muster
many thousands more, all equally de-
termined and all equally active in
their demand for peace.
I'm addition there are one or two
active organizations that are not 80
numerous, who are advocating a
stop-the-war movement now and de-
manding that peace negotiations
should be Immediately opened be-
tween the belligerent powers.
These various societies hold
scores of meetings every week It
would be no exaggeration to say that
the number of meetings runs into
hundreds, and they are attended by
thousands Of people. Yet, with the
exception Of a few lines in compare
lively obscure weekly papers that
are not permitted to be sent out Of
the country, there is not a report Of
these immense activities for better
understanding between the nations
of Europe.
The reason why is due to the fact
that the English government are so
convinced of the righteousness OF
their cause, so satisfied that they
have a united nation behind them,
and strong in their moral fervor in
the cause of liberty, that they have
instituted press bureau that only
serves out the kind of news they
desire published press censorship
that prevents any criticism of their
actions, a defense OF the realm act
that makes mere conversation be-
tween friends in the street unfavor-
able to the war an offense punishable
by from six months to two years inn
prisonment.
And there are SO many ordinan-
ceg issued under the title of orders
in council that the average man is
bewildered by their number
Under these various orders it is
not only Illegal to distribute any
document, pamphlet or paper that
opposes the war, but it Is an offense
to possess them And it is now a
common practice for any ambitious
policeman, who desires to curry
favor with the powers that be, and
secure promotion, to enter any home
he cares to inspect, and search the
place for the documents that may
contain anything unfavorable to the
nn1fcv Of fhn government And a
great number of such incidents have
happened. Many have been fined,
and many imprisoned.
yet the peace movement grows.
SO much so that M. Phillip Snowden,
M. p, the brilliant member for
Blackburn, challenged the prime
minister to his face in the House Of
Commons that if his government
promoted the full freedom Of pub
lie meeting, suspension OF the press
cpnsOrshin and the defangn Of tho