The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-02-27
why FORD FAILED
TOLD BY DERNBURG
German Statesman Praises
Peace Apostle and Say, Ridi-
Culc O>crw hclmcd Him.
HE WAS BADLY ADVISED

rr. Bernhard Dcrnburs has written
FOR tho March International an arTrcc'a-
ton Of Henry Ford, npo@tlc Of peace.
Or. pernburs' article IL hi2hly ON
mandatory Of Mr.. F'ord's efforts for their
sincerity, but he tikcs "A few slams at
tho American press, the American Of
dcials and the greedy upper classes OF
business men. who have tremendous
power. he says. in tho Eastern United
States.
~" Cr. pcrnborg says. II now pro-
rose TO speak of Henry Ford. his per-
sonality, his work and his spiritual
qualities It Is because he represents the
typo of tho highly developed American
because no Is u typical example of the
great mass of earnest, strong. sterling
American citizens who believe that with
strength Of will and common sense the
irsoluble can DO solved because he Is
,ence IS influenced by the stern Puritan
code that forms tho tradition Of the
farmhouse of the East and middle
West one Of those men who consider
knowledge and education as tools with
which to accomplish ones daily work,
hut rs in no way determining a mans
ethical or social worth, which alone de-
ponds upon his relationship to his God.
This element OF tho population-men
of strong emotions, keen e~xcitability ard
exaggerated American sentiment tbe-
cause they lack the education a,d train.
ing which slono furnish a MEASURE Tor
lifes realities --forms the great foun-
datton. tho best part OF tho American
people. and 1t is well worth one's white
TO become acquainted with II. II pre-
SCENTS q happy contrast to the insincer-
~ Of the press, the greed among the
upper classes Of business men and the
aunt for popularity and Office among
Government circles"
Prosperity for the World.
Or. Dernburg relates that Ford. un-
Aor questioning In Christiania by q re-
porter. said that he %purposed TO give
10 the world a benzine plough. and al
low the factories engaged IN making
munitions TO make the plough. thus ir-
suring prosperity for the factories and
for the world without costing a life.
This would end the war. DIR. pern-
burg continues:
Naive as this sounds, II clearly IL
illustrates the opposition in which Amer
ica's citizens land also its women are
10 forces which. as principal furnishers
OF munitions TO Europe's be.l!gerents.
make II possible for President wills IN
to create the temperature necessary for
denomination by spreading the fiction Of
. general prosperity In the United States.
For this is the American standard any
Government that facilitates the making
of huge profits is "A good Government,
and deserves to DO reelected. II is
therefore not al all surprising that MIR.
Ford's companions consisted principally
Of leading women and friends of woman
suffrage. md that the lights raging on
the peace ship were enacted between
these. led by the powerful Hungarian
s~ufYragist Nine. Rosika Schwimmer on
the one side and on the other side TIE
numerous reporters. photographers and
MIN producers. whose prosperity also de-
ponds on Il continuation OF hostiiities.
even before the Oscar lis departure
this ~an,agonism asserted itself. Oficial
America kept ustentatiously aloof from
Mr.. Fordwhlch was, OF course. its right
and put what difficulties II could In his
way. For instance. one hears that pass
ports to the other neutral countries OF
Eu. ope were denied to members OF the
expedition by their American representa-
diva
RidicuIed by the Press.
"As for the American press. otherwise
won't to praise Henry Ford as an apostle
s-xat A,.as
whelmed him with r,dicuie and derlsion
Hor In Its eyes Ford had suddenly be-
"A menace. He had succeeded Ii
so many t~hin-s-how II he should now
succeed in bringing about al early peace
That must be prevented by all means
for the longer the peoples OF Europe
tear each other to pieces and the Longer
we retard the victory OF Prussian mill
tarism by sending our munitions TO th'
Allies the better for America! a blood
less. weakened, deeply indebted Europe
Will bo confronted by an America
young. well n~ourished. its pockets over
flowing with gold!
His schooling Is like that Of tn,
great mass OF Americans his preference
for religious meditation he shares will
the class from " Which he Sprang. From
his standpoint the things now happen!n,
IN Europe are terrible and unthinkable
European politics, of course, are to him
AZ to most Americans, a book with sever
Goals. He only sees how so-called Chris
tian nations are engaged in a relcntles
combat how they ruin and kill to IA
hest Of their a~bilit!es-each side evokinI
the help of God, the God who com
manded Thou shalt not kill and Low
thano enemy!
consequently. not only f'ord's fait
in humanity. but his faith in religion Ia
been deeply shaken and In his desire I
give "A deeper meaning, 81 new s.Snii
canoe to his religion. he, like many OF hi
c%ountryincn. became a Christian thee
sophist. The matter seemed simpl
enough. You can read It in the Londo
Economist AS well as ia many othe
European and American magazines. tina
the huge capital invested IN the mum
ton factories and steel works, while
manufacture things to Kill, is the rrea
menace To the worlds peace. If, nov
you couLi induce these concerns ,
manufacture benzine p!ows Instead ,
cannon all civilization would ahNauc
and nobody wish tor war any more. IN.
he IL absolutely ignorant of the actu.
political conditions oi i.urop" Tn
utter ignorance ho shares with the rr,,
mass OF his countrymeu,
Henry Ford returned to America ~
appointed. principally because lc Ia,
been unfortunate N the choice of h
advisors. II often Happens hat vi
usually successful business men rely t.
much on their knowledge Of humauit
which after al only experience 90