New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-13
British Minister Thinks 1t
Might Have Prevented
Present War.
SIR EDWARD TALKS
TO THEO. MARBURG
Approves of Peace Enforcement
Through Joint Armed and
Economic Pressure.

Sir Edward Grey has Endorsed the
work Of the League 70 Enforce Peace.
He believes that the war would have
been avoided IL such an organization
had been In existence two years ago.
Theodore Marburg, Of Baltimore. for
mer United States Minister TO Belgium,
told this TO members Of the executive
committee Of the league last night at
the Century Club.
"Sir Edward Grey, with whom | had
8 lengthy talk at the Foreign Once,
not only goes the whole iength of the
programme of the American League 10
Enforce Peace. but he expressed the
opinion that II some such plan had
been in operation when the present
war was threatened IL would not have
occurred" said the former minister.
In commenting upon Sir Edward
Grey's declaration and the general
situation in England, Mr.. Marburg said
further:
"As the attitude Of England would
greatly influence the action OF her
allies. the view of Sir Edward Grey
will carry great weight when the terms
Of peace come TO be discussed. | found
other leading men in England quite in
sympathy with President Wilson's as
piration for some sort of Joint gusran-
tee Of peace on the part Of the great
nations Indeed. ! have come home
convinced that there is a real prospect
of the realization of the great ideal of
our League 20 Enforce Peace after the
war.
Uncle sam Should Take Initiative.
But great emphasis needs TO be laid
on serious study of all the problems
involved now. so that the ENJOYS who
gather TO frame a treaty of peace will
come 10 the conference with a plan the
principal features of which have been
approved by the various chance lleries.
/ found that il was gradually felt that
the United States, which is the greatest
example of a successful league OF
states. might properly take the initia-
tive in this movement.
"No responsible body Of opinion in
England desires the dlsmemberment of
Germany. What the Allies demand is
that Germany's attitude should so
change from the inside that the rest
Of the world can live comfortably with
her This can probably be brought
about only through the success Of the
Allies-at least that is their conviction.
If a change does come in the German
point Of view, we can live with and
work with one of the most helpful and
inspiriting countries Of the world.
And il is believed that. in such an
event Germany could be counted on
20 join a league of nations organized
for justice and that out of justice
would come peace"
Paved Way for Branches Abroad.
While abroad Mr. Marburg, as chair
nan Of the committee on foreign rela-
tons f the League 20 Enforce Peace,
took preliminary steps toward forming
branches Of the league In other coun-
tries.
The league announces that it is not
opposed 20 preparedness and that 1t
will hold its first annual national as
semblage at Washington. May 1921,
ex-President Taft presiding and Fres-
ident Wilson making the principal ad-
dress.
Members Of the league present at
the dinner last night were;
Harold J. Howland Philip II. Gads-
den; Herbert s. Houston, Thomas Rae
burn White, Darwin r. Kingsley, Pro-
fessor John Bates Clark, DR.. Frederick
Lynch, Charles Stewart Dawson, DR..
TalcOtt Williams, Professor n. NJ.
Emery, ". L. Saunders, Charles r. Ma
cauley. George L. Beers, Judge W. II.
Wadhams, Charles c. Kitchener, Ches-
ter De Witt Pugsley and w. II. Short