New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-15
'Pope's Peace Plea
OF German Origin,
Declares Russell
Socialist Says Proposals
Were Concocted in Ber-
lin to Avert Defeat
Calls Pontif Innocent
Battle for Rights of Mankind
Must Be Fought Out
Now, He Says

Charles Edward Russell, Socialist
and author, who arrived in New York
City last night with his colleagues on
the Russian Mission, sees grave dan
ger in the peace proposals OF rope
Benedict, as announced yesterday.
The Pope has been deceived, and MS
peace proposals have been deliberately
concocted by Germany in a desperate
effort to save herself from the defeat
that she sees now is inevitable, Mr.
Russell declares. In an interview
given to The Tribune Mr.. Russeii
said.
with undoubtedly the kindest and
the most humane impulses, the POPE
has put forth proposals that are aoso-
lutely impossible IL the world is TO De
preserved from a calamity far greater
than this war. II his proposals are
adopted and peace is made on any sueh
terms there is left unsettled the great
issue AZ stake III TINS wal
Power Against Right Is Issue
ut Is not struggle between ma
tions and peoples; it is the last great
contest between two basic ideas OF
society about which men have been
in conflict for centuries-thst is, the
struggle between society organized on
the basis of inherited right and auto
cratic power and society organized on
the basis Of the supreme right Of the
people.
"Betveen these two ideas there can
never be peace. One or the other must
on down. The issue must be fought
out TO the end. II it is not fought
OIL, in this war, then it will be in the
next. And TO make peace with that
great question unsettled merely means
that between now and the next war;
in which il will be settled, the world
will be nothing but an armed camp
Men will think of nothing but develop
ing military strength. All the inven-
tive genius Of man will be deVisihg
roors affective instruments of destruc-
ton.
"The next war, which can then be
only a few years off, will be greater
more terrible and more destructive
than this war
while, of course, all humane men
ar. sick of the horrors of this war
thew ought not to allow their feelings
70 becloud their judgment Of the In
evi,sble facts. The greatest humanity
now is to press on until the issue Is
decided. so that the world there
after may have the only possible basis
for an enduring peace.
at is perfectly evident to observing
minds that this peace proposal mas
been deliberately concocted by Ger
many as a desperate effort 70 save
herself from the defeat which she now
sees is inevitable.
Concerted Peace Action Seen
"For several weeks there has
been noticeable extraordinary activity
among the pacifists, agitated by Ger
mans, We have had remarkable mani
festations in this country, all showing
concerted action to this end.
Eve have had pacitist resolution IN
troduced into both houses Of Congress.
We have seen peace conventions ana
mace conferences called and peace
speeches made. These all prepared the
yay by drawing attention to this sub
iect so that at the psychological mo-
ment the terms might be sprung upon
the world with the greatest chance OF
success.
"The reason why Germany is so eager
for an arrangement on these lines is
not merely 10 save her face before the
world. but for a very substantial prsc-
teal advantage. IL will be noticed that
this plan proposes that all occupied ter
ritories should be returned.
THAT means that Germany is TO have
restored to her her great colonial en-
pire, all of which is now in the hands OF
her enemies. The fact is very generally
overlooked that this colonial empire IS
absolutely indispensable to the COM
mercial strength, welfare and develop
ment of Germany.
"In ordinary times Germany produces
with her stimulated industry a vast
output that she cannot possibly con-
sumo within her own borders. Unless
that output is consumed her entire in
dustrial structure and system come to
the ground.
Trying to Save Export Trade
"She must have places in which she
can get rid Of this surplus product,
and her colonies not only furnish such
places, but give her the gateway to
other markets. The very breath of her
commercial and Industrial being lies
in her export trade. She is now
mannuvring TO save that trade. and
this peace plan embodies her cherished
hone in that direction.
"The proposal cannot be carried out
and ought not to be seriously con-
sidered. Il would involve the return
of German domination Of the great
world of the Pacific, where Germany
has proved herself an unspeakable
curse and blight to mankind.
81 have spent much time in the South
Sea Islands when they were in Ger
H.. hae