Der Deutsche correspondent. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1841-1918, 1916-12-27
1T MUST CAUSE THE PRESIDENT
PAIN

1T MUST CAUSE THE PRESIDENT
PAIN.
A few nights ago we saw q univcr-
sity president, a noted member Of
the medical faculty of Baltimore,
and a former united States Minister
standing on the platform before q
large audience clamoring for war
with Germany and TO that end hav-
ing resolutions adopted to be pres
onted to tho President of the United
States. About the same time the
President received remarkable
plea for peace, voiced 'in the name
of Europe by Bertrand Russell,
Great Britains foremost philosopher
and mathematician. The plea for
peace was contained in an open let
ter to the President which lady
had brought to America and deliver
ed to the American Neutral Confer
cnce Committee in New York, which
named a delegation of three to carry
the document to Washington. The
letter reads:
"Sir:
you have an opportunity of per-
forming a signal service to mankind,
surprising even the service OF Abra-
ham Lincoln, great rs that was. 1t
is in your power to bring the war to
an end by just peace, which shall
do all that could possibly be done to
allay the fear OF new wars in the
near future.
Longer War Fatal.
1T Is not set too late TO save
European civilization from destruc-
ton; hut it may be too late If the
war be allowed to continue for the
further two or three years with.
which our militarists threaten us.
THE military situation has now
developed TO q point where tho ul-
innate issue is clear in its broad
outline, TO all who are capable of
thought.
1T must be obvious to the author
tiles in all the belligerent countries
that no victory for either side is pos
sible In Europe, the Germans have
the advantage; outside Of Europe
and at sea, the Allies have the ad
vantage.
Neither side is able to win such
a crushing victory as to compel the
other side to sue for peace. The war
inficts untold injuries upon the ma
tions, but not such injuries as TO
make a continuance of fighting iin-
possible. It is evident that. however
war may be prolonged. negotiations
win ultimately have to take place on
the basis Of what will be substan-
TALLY tho present balance Of gains
and losses. and VIII result in terms
not very different from those which
might be obtained now
Healfyc Facts
THE German Government has
recognized this fact and has cX-
pressed its willingness for peace on
terms which ought to be regarded
at least as according basis for dis
cussion, since they conccde the
points which involve the honor OF
the allies.
The allied governments have not
had the courage to acknowledge
publicly what they cannot deny in
private, that the hope OF sweeping
victory is one which can now scare
ely be entertained. Tor want Of this
courage they are prepared to involve
Europe in the horrors Of contin-
uance Of the war, possibly for an
other two or three years.
This situation is intolerable to
put an end to it. Your power con-
stitutes an opportunity and re-
sponsibility; and from your previ-
Gus actions | feel confident that you
will use your power with degree OF
wisdom and humanity rarely to DO
found among statesmen.
I'm all the belligerent countries
soldiers who are wounded or home
on leave express an utter loathing Of
the trenches, a despair Of ever
achieving a military decislon, and a
terrible longing for peace.
"Our militarists have successfully
opposed the granting OF votes to
soldiers, yet in ali the countries an
attempt Is made to persuade the
civilian population that war-weari-
ness is confined 10 the soldiers Of
tho enemy. Everywhere friends OF
peace are met with the diabolical
argument that the brave men who
have died must not have shed their
blood in vain. And so every inn
pulse OF mercy toward the soldiers
who are still living is dried up and
withered by a false and barren 10y
atty to those who are past our help.
Even the men hitherto retained for
making munitions, for dock labor,
and for other purposes essential to
the prosecution OF war arc gradually
being drafted into the armies and
replaced by women, with the sinister
threat Of colored labor in the back
ground.
May Fail as Rome Did
There is a very real danger that,
if nothing is done TO check the fury
Of national passions, European civil
i2ation as We have known it will per-
ish as completely as it perished
when Rome fell before the barbar-
ians
From considerable personal ex-
perience, reinforced by all that
can learn from others, / believe that
the desire for peace is almost uni
versal not only the soldiers, but
throughout the wage earning classes
and especially in industrial districts,
in spite OF high wages and steady
employment If q plebiscite of the
nation were taken on the question
whether negotiations should be in
I f4.s q -.