The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1916-10-12
ONE BR1ToN THINKS OF PEACE

ONE BRITON THINKS OF PEACE
What may be regarded as the first
note sounded in Great Britain for
peace comes from no less Influential
and distinguished Briton than Wis
count Bryce, former ambassador TO
have expressed the hope for peace
and the readiness OF that country TO
consider peace proposals. But not I'M
til now has any public man in Great
Britain delivered himself of any APP
peal that could be regarded as an ef-
fort to bring nearer the end OF hos
Utilities in Europe.
Bryce's address is notable for two
reasons. In the first place. it appeals
for Worldwide league to preserve
and perhaps enforce peace-an or
ganization something like the one
headed in this country by eX-Presi-
dent Taft. And, secondly and chiefly,
he made protest against the spirit
of hate which has been actuat ting
the British in their attitude toward
tested against the scheme of project
ing the hostilities of the war into the
future by means of commercial ban
against all the people Of Germany.
Viscount Bryce said in part:
"'ro indulge in revenge will be to
SOW the seeds of future wars. Ma
tions cannot hate each other forever
and the sooner. they cease to do so
the better for all of them. We must
take all proper steps to defend our
selves from any dangers that might
arise if, after the war, the enemy
countries We're to resume an insid-
ious hostility. That is, at present no
more than possibility which may
never arise.
But the talk we now hear about
starting, after peace has been CON
lcluded a new war of trade to follow
the war of arms has immense cap
Iacities for mischief Such trade war
would prolong and embitter afresh
those hatreds that ought to be al
lowed to die and it assumes a contin-
uance of those very things from
which we expect our victory to de-
|liver us once for all.
"Our main purpose will have fail
ed if we do not secure a durable
peace. To prolong hatreds would in
crease suspicion, would lead, in time,
to recurrence of those try g ca
|lamities from which we are suffer
hing. If severe terms have to be inn
posed let that be done only SO far as
is necessary for securing future peace
not in vindictive spirit, which in
perpetuating hatreds would end by
relighting the flames of war;"
Why is it that the peoples of Eu-
rope cannot understand that, IN or
der to prevent the recurrence OF war
i'll the future, they must develop, not
more nationalism, but less of it: not
more intense feeling along nation
al boundaries but a broader and deep
er spirit OF humanity that knows no
geography.
1t is strange that the British or
French could even consider n ccm-
mercial warfare to succeed the pres
ent conflict of arms. 1t bellies all the
professions of humanitarianism mat
they have made in justification of
their part in the war and goes to
confirm The German allegation Tat
the British are i'll the present str tg-
gle just as a business venture and
surely they do not want to put them
SELVES in such position if their war
is indeed an altruistic one.
Viscount Bryce has shown himself
the greatest of the Britons by making
la public protest against the course
of his people. And before peace is
procI nm ed, it will be necessary for
his compat lots to follow lie eX-
ample of Niscc mt Bryce. For the
spirit of hatred IS not conducive to
the signing uf l. eaties between war
ring nations.