New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-11
LET AMERICA END THE WAR
The Views of a Pacifst Who Thinks That
England Is Weary Of Fighting
To tho Editor Of The Tribune.


OF America by Mr. Charles P. Trevelyan,
former member Of the English House o.
Commons Mr. Trevelyan's message seems
to me so arresting, so significant, that beg
you will grant me space 70 call your readers
attention to this strong. direct and eloquent
appeal, asking the people Of America 70
stand back Of the suffering peoples Of Europe
with a volume Of public opinion that alone
can and will bring the war 20 an end.
Mr. Trevelyan calls upon the United State
as the one hope for the preservation OF West
ern civilization, for our relative strength
i. growing while the vitality OF Europe Is
ebbing away. And he appeals not only be
cause Of the loss Of life and property, but
above all, because Of the effect % the war
on the nations themselves and the complete
collapse Of national standards Of life and
honor. He believes that America, With 81
unbroken tradition Of liberty, is existing
democratic success, its faith in peace, can
make itself felt in this tragic crisis and
stand on, as a beacon 10 the older nations
in the hour Of their agony and despair. And
thi, no. only in an ideal and abstract Tsy,
but with very simple and definite and imrns-
date help. He warns US not 20 n mSlsd
az % the state OF affairs by the press Of the
belligerent countries, FOR, he says, Tiers IS
nothing abou. which less truth Is told Than
about the real feeling o. the belligerent
peoples; that the art OF forming, deludins'
changing and enraging public opinion has
been cultivated during the war by the author
ties OF every belligerent country as prin-
cipal department of their activity. And yet
in spite OF such conditions, hs deelare'i VI
were asked briefly 20 define the attitnde
Of the nass Of my countrymen, should say
that they are heartily sick OF the war. war
WEAKNESS is rapidly growing universal IN
Great Britain"
Although there has been persistent enort
20 make the American peopls believe tnat
il Il only one party IN the conflict that j.
DESTROYS Of peace. yet the knowledge OF such
movements in England has been mace
known 70 Ms through other sources than this
letter Of Mr. Trevelyan's. From time 20
time we have heard that various members
OF Parliament have asked again and again
in the House OF Commons that an efort be
made TO negotiate peace. We have known o.
the increasingly effective activities % the
Union fer Democratic Control toward ms
end. We know that the membership Of this
and includes some thirteen members OF Par
lament; that they have held meetings IN
various parts Of England ard Wales and that
more recently these meeting rgre been held
quite openly and without srousing opposition
or disturbance. More enf more clearly the
people OF England have been giving voice 20
the desire that their government shall nego-
tiate a peace IL il can. and the significant
thing is that Nr. Trevelyan assures Us that
nothing has given such stimulus 70 this feel
ing as the interview Of Mr.. Lloyd George,
in which he openly evowed his belief in
prolonged war Of attrition. For this has had
the effect Of making many former supporters
Of the war begin 10 think seriously whether
Il Is not time for the government 70 formu-
late its real objective and how nearly
the Germans are prepared TO meet It. He
appeals 20 the President and the people OF
America not to be discouraged because the
first offers of mediation were refused by the
government. He appeals TO America 60 make
its voice heard again and again ard 20 speak
10 the peoples il the governments viii not
give heed, and to make it known to those
peoples that il Is not impossible that peace
can be obtained by negotiation, a peace sat
isfactory on questions which are most vital
70 the British people. To quote Mr. Tre-
velvan again: American Presidents are apt
20 believe that the common sense Of common
men can make better judgments on vast
issues than even we'll meaning rulers. They
auplv that faith in their own political crises;
perhaps they might help our poor European
world by trusting the soul OF our common
folk,
What less can We, the people OF America,
DO II we count ourselves as human beings,
than TO respond 20 this call. adding cur
united hearts and minds and wills 70 those
of our fellows in all the stricken lands who
are daily being deprived OF the things we
hold highest and NOTES.-THE, liberty and
the pursuit of happiness? We have very re
Gently been celebrating with high ceremonial
and noble words the Spirit of Liberty, whose
glorious effigy stands at the portal OF our
land. But can there be liberty for Us when
thousands Of our brothers across the sss.
citizens Of that mother-eountry which has
stood through the centuries as the strongest
guardian of human liberty, are being tor
tured. bullied, imprisoned, and even con
dernned 70 death, as Mr.. Treveiyan cites,
because they claim that fnalienable right, the
liberty OF eonscience7
am one OF group who since the very
beginning of the war have had the conyic-
ton that the calling Of a conference OF
neutral nations IS the first step humanity
feasible; that has in Il the possibility OF
bringing the warning nations 20 cease their
CHASTITY slaughter and discuss possible terms
Of agreement and peace; that leagues Of ma
tons, world federation, international courts
and tribunals can be realized only after this
terrible conflict has ended. And there are,
I believe. millions Of people in America who
share this conviction. We need only 70 give
them ar opportunity TO express g. One
meets, OF course, the incredulous half-pity-
ing smile Of certain great ones Of the earth
versed in law ard experienced IN world
affairs. One hears not infrequently the PRO
nouncement that these things must be dealt
with after old-establshed ways Of diplomacy
etc. One is told in a tone as IL t wcrs
patiently proved. self-evident truth that r.
is useless 20 offer mediation long as the
belligerents do not wish It. But how can