Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-11-03
Why, Not a Conference of Neu-
tra1Sp

There is reason why the president of the
United States of America should not at this time
call together the thrtythree neutral nations of the
world in order to hold a conference and make ra-
tional Overtures to the nations in war.
Let us reouce the situation to its lowest terms
When two boys are fighting in the street. and
both bruised and bloody it is not out of place
for bystanders to interfere. The purpose of such
interference need be to Justify one bow and hu
initiate the other, but simply to get them both to
say ID what the is about, CD what adjust
ment of the quarrel will be satisfactory to both of
them. and 90 how resumption of the contention
may be avoided.
Such declarations are those which conference
of neutrals would try to induce the European bel
ligerents to make.
known. Both sides too blinded by fury to come
any sort of agreement this point. And per-
haps it doesn't matter. After all, when man is
SICK although it may be interesting to know the
of his Illness it is to the point to know
how to get well.
To open the other two questions for discussion
however, would do good. If both parties would
state clearly what terms of peace would suit them,
it would at least be beginning toward reason
and step away from unreasoning force. Some
time such statements must be made, and they
not be initiated too
Also it is a good time to commence intelligent
world discussion of ways and means to prevent
such mOnstrous calamity in the future
One thing is TO be noted Both the chancellor
of the German empire and the prime minister of
England declare that their aim is to establish
world peace" Both insist they are fighting to pre-
vent any like this again.
If that be so why not let them begin to say just
what conditions will be requisite for future world
peace?
1t may he said that such neutral conference
would do no good the contestants must fight it
out until side the other is thoroughly
whipped.
In answer to this let state, first, that there is
no great principle at stake in this war OF a kind
that calls for the determination of of the par
ties. 1t is not a fight for instance, about slavery
or religion, and both sides dsclaim any wish to
cOnCuOr territory. Two opposing civilizations
not struggling; it is not Mohammedanism against
Christendom, black against whites, or anything Of
that kind There is no issue which and
judgment could not adjust
Second, a call from brute force to reason is al
ways in order
And third such a conference would nightly
affect public opinion, and thus bring both groups
nearer to rational adjustment.
According to the Hague convention no offer of
mediation by a neutral nation be construed
as an unfriendly act; and conference such as is
proposed would certainly be within our rights,
and could not make matters
The United States. as the largest of the neutral
countries, is the logical nation to call such con-
ference.
Mr.. Wilson places emphasis upon the things he
has not done, things that might have drawn us
into the war maelstroma will he not now do some
thing pOsitive2
And what thing more pregnant with welfare
for a distressed world could he do than to call
conference of neutral nations
l. To invite the belligerents to state basis
upon which they would be willing to begin peace
negotiations; and
,. To make peace proposals in the common
interests of all the nations of earth?