The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-04-03


our object now. as then, is To yindi-
cate the principles Of peace and jus
tlce In the life OF the world as against
selfish and autocratic power and to
set up amongst the really free and
self governed peoples of the world
such concert of purpose and Of ac-
ton as VIII hencoforth insure the OBJ
ScrVanCe of those principles
Neutrality Is no longer feasible or
desirable whore the peace Of the
world is involved aud the freedom Of
its peoples, and the menace to that
peace and freedom lies in the exist
rnCc OF autoCrat!c governments back
ed by organized forces which is CON
troiled wholly by their viii. not by
the will of their people We have
seen the last Of neutrality in such cir
cum stances,
German People Not to blame
We are at the beginning of an a &c
in which it viii be insisted that the
same standards Of conduct and Of re
sponsibihty for Nrongdolne shall be
observed among nations and their
governments that are observed among
tho individual citizens OF civilized
states
WI Tavc no quarrel with tho Ger.
man bhople We have no feeling
towards them, but one OF sympathy
and friendship. II was not upon their
impulse that their government act
ed in entering this war It was not
with their previous knowledge or APP
prevail
II was a war determined upon as
wars used to he determined upon in
the old. unhappy days when peoples
were nowhere consulted by their rul-
waged in the interest Of dynastics or
of little groups Of ambitious men who
were accustomed TO use their fellow
men as pawnS and tools.
Self governed nations do not fill
their neighbour states with spies or set
the course of intrigue to bring about
some critical posture OF affairs which
VIII give them an opportunity to strel
and mae conquest. Such designs can
be successfully wored only under
cover and where no one has the right
to ask questions,
Cunningly ContrlYed plans Of decep-
lion or aggression, carried II may be
from generation to generation, can he
worked out and kept from the light
only within the privacy of courts or
behind the carefully guarded conf
dences of narrow and privileged
class They are happily Impossible
where public opinion commands and
insist upon fun information concern
ing all the nations affairs.
\ League of Honor
A steddfast concert for peace can
never DC maintained except by a part
nership of democratic nations No au-
tocratic government could he trusted
Ia keep faith within II or observe it's
covenants 1t must be a league of
kApnt.+ ~ ,4 h n Of t,t
trigue would eat its vitas away the
plottngs Of inner circles who could
plan what they should and render at
count to no one would be a Corrup-
ton seated at its very heart
only free peoples can hold their pur-
pose and their honor steady to COM
mon deed and prefer the Interests OF
mankind to any narrow interest Of
their own
Does not every American feel that
assurance has been added to our hope
for the future peace OF the world by
the wonderful and heartening things
that have been happening within the
last few weeks IN Russia? Russia was
known by those who knew it best to
have been always in fact democratic
at heart, in all the vital habits of her
thought in all the intimate relation
ships Of her people that spoke their
natural instinct Their habtual atti-
tdde towards life.
The aHtocracy that crowned the
summit OF her political structure. long
IS u bad stood and terrible as was the
reality Of ITS power. Was not in fact
russian I'M origins, character or pur-
pose and now IL has been shaken off
and the great generous Russian pc0-
plc have been added in all their ma
tive majesty and might to the forces
THAI are fighting for freedom in the
world. fur justiCt and for peace. Here
j: "a tt partner for league of honor
till~ N"tiou With spies.
ono az thC things that has served
q" convince us that the Prussian au-
trerarY was not and could never he
car friend is Thar from the very out
set ui the present war IT has filled our
iu'u'pocting communities and even
cUr offices Of government with spies
and set c~iminal in;gisueS everywhere
afpot against our national unity Of
council. our peace within and with
Duf oar Industries and our commerce.
ladeed il IS now evident that its
slies were here even before the war
began, and II is unhappily not mat
4ef OF conjecture hut'o4 fact proved
ir our courts Of justice that the in
Jrigucs whhh have more than once
como perilousiy near 10 disturbing tho
peace and disiocating the Industries
% the country haze been carried on
az The instigation with Tho support.
and even under the personal direction
~ official agents or the imperial gov
ernmeDt accredited to the govern
meut OF The United States.