New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-04-20
BUSHES to Do All He Can
10 Prevent the Crime"
of War.
HAS TWO PLANS
TO KEEP PEACE
First. International Investigation
of Dispute; Second, POST
pone Settlement.
rBy re.su.ph 20 Tn. rribu-,r

s.. Louis. April William J.
Bryan dictated to-day a statement In
which he said:
81 reached ST. Louis this morning
on my way 10 New Orleans to address
teachers convention. After reading
the dispatches in the newspapers l
have changed my plans and decided to
go to Washington.
81 believe II would be a crime
against civilization for this country to
90 into this war, and therefore unwise
for the country TO do anything that
would increase the chances Of going
into the war"
Mr.. Bryan said that he had not
formulated any plan of action in
Washington, but felt that it was his
duty as a patriotic citizen TO go there
and do everything he could 70 prevent
he United States from getting into a
war with Germany.
On his arrival at the Union Station
early this morning Mr.. Bryan wrote q
statement in which he said:
81 know nothing OF the controversy
with Germany. excepting what have
read in the morning newspapers. II
the dispute has reached q point where
diplomacy is unable 70 deal with 1t,
there are but two roads open.
Two Ways TO Avoid War.
Before there is any necessity for
war, first, the dispute can be submitted
to an international tribunal for in
vestigation and report. This Is the
plan now embodied in thirty treaties
with governments representing three
fourths Of the population OF the world.
These treaties require Us TO take TINS
course with Great Britain, France and
Italy in case of dispute with any OF
these nations. Germany has formally
approved this plan, although no treaty
has yet been negotiated with Germany
but as the plan was offered TO all the
world | take il for granted It will at
least be proposed before We so 10 war
with any country.
"If for any reason this treaty plan is
not employed there is still another al
tentative before going 20 war name
~, the postponement Of the settlement
of the dispute until the present war -
DOVER.
There are two reasons why this
course is preferable 70 going into this
war: First, postponement would in all
possibility enable US 10 reach settle
ment after the war, the fear OF the cf-
feet Of the settlement on this war be
ing now the greatest obstacle in the
way Of settlement
Second, If We must have a war Il is
better 70 postpone il until this war IS
over. Then IL will be our war with tho
nation with which We have our dispute.
and We can decide when to go in and
when TO come out.
But if we go into this war we must
stay in until the others come out, and
while in fight for the things they fight
for. In other words. we will become
entangled with the dispute OF Euro
pean monarch and put anAmerican
army and navy at the command of a
European monarch 70 be used to fight
out his quarrels with other European
monarchs.
This war has already cost the lives
Of some 100000 men and filled the
Old World with widows, orphans and
cripples. It is incenceivable that our
people desire TO enter into this war and
spend hundreds OF thousands Of lives
and billions Of dollars to vindcate the
right of an American citizen to put his
convenience above the nations well
fare.
at is as much citizens duty 10
consider his country as 1t IS the duty
Of the country"