Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-01-30
a Remarkable Parallel
To President Wilson'S Proposals.


1t has happened not infrequently that great
discovery OF science has been made independently
and almost simultaneously by observers in lands
far apart. Some such unconscious collaboration of
watchful minds seems to mark the emergence of
world-moving ideas. Certainly. the ideas which
President Wilson put forth in his address to the
Senate were astir in the deeper thought of Europe
of America before he gave them responsible ut
terance and he OWNED much, for he confidently
ventured the belief that he speaking "for lib
erals and friends of humanity in every nation
Curiously interesting evidence of just how true
this is appears from article by Mr.. H. G. Wells,
IN the current number of the Saturday Evening
Post, on The Ending of the War" OF all British
writer's who have discussed the war. has
shown keener penetration or broader patriotism
than Mr.. Wells at times he has written with a
truly prophetic gift, and always with a manifest
desire TO interpret his countrys best aspirations.
He is not 'pacihst' He is anything but a
timentalist He has frankly British hate for
Prussian mitarism. And he thinks the Allies
have a winning game before them" though he
INDUCES no such fancy as Lord Curzon's pleas
ant image of the Bombay Lancers riding down the
Inter Den Linden" But Mr.. Wells while Brit
ish to the hearts core, has the intellectual and
moral capacity to think of this world tragedy in
other than purely partisan terms to think of it
and of the aftermath in terms of human, not
merely national. experience. And thinking thus,
he has arrived at certain conclusions which al
most identical with those set forth in President
wilson's address to the Senate.
To appreciate this remarkable coincidence of
ideas. and its really profound significance, one
should note that Mr.. Wells article, though pub
Iished last week evidently written as far back
as the middle of last December: if earlier. Ger
tainly II was written long before there was the
fsintest foreshadowing of the purpose that was
maturing in the Presidents mind. Furthermore,
Mr.. Wells article represents not simply theory
of his own evolving but a consensus of thoughtful
and influential opinion.
Quietly perhaps and unobtrusively.
everyone l know" he says, lis trying to
find the way out of the war; and 1 am con-
WINGED that the is the case in Germany
But we ask, how are to get out-with any
credit-in such way to prevent a subse-
quent collapse into another as frighfuI?
Can America come into this dispute at the
end to insist upon something better than a
new diplomatic patch Is there above
the claims and passions of Germany, France
Britain and the rest of them, a conceivable
right thing TO do for all mankind? l have
been joining up thing to another, sugges-
tions | have heard from this man and that;
and 1 believe that it is possible state So
reasonable men all over the world"
And what is that solution? 1t is essentially
the same as President Wilson's proposals. While
it accentuates some points which the President
touched but lightly and introduces some elements
on which he altogether silent the peace plan
presented by Mr.. Wells accords substantially with
that suggested by the President. 1t accords not
only in respect to such ultimate matters as con-
cert Of Powers and the moderation of ornaments,
the freedom of the seas>the rights of small States
and OF every people, but also in respect the
more immediate question of the basis on which the
should be ended and settled. President Will
son spoke of "a peace without, victory phrase
that has aroused much criticism. But Mr.. Wells
speaks to the same effect just as boldly. I'VE
need not triumphs out of this war" he declares,
but the peace of the world" Further,
The idea that the settlement of this war
must be what might call an unimpas-
stoned settlement or, if you will, a scientific
settlement. or a judicial and not treaty set
tlement-a settlement, that is. based upon the
conception of what is right and necessary,
rather than upon the relative success or fail
ure of either set of belligerents to make its
will the standard of decisions one that, in
a great variety of forms and partial develop
ments. find gaining ground in the most diff
ferent circles"
This is very interestingly in accord with the
Presidents idea that a victors terms imposed
upon the vanquished, accepted in humiliation.
under duress and at intolerable sacrifice would
not and could not mean permanent settlement,
but one that would rest las upon quicksand." Mr.
Wells apt1y speaks of the having been
started as a German adventure, Hohenzolern
ambition to dominate the world. That adventure
is manifest failure. II defeated more than
two years ago at the Marine. II was defeated again
at Verdun II was defeated the moment the AL
lies established their mastery of the In the
broader sense therefore. whatever peace settle