The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1917-04-06
Bryan Asks Con-
gress to Avert War

Miami, Fla, March 29.-William J
Bryan to day addressed an appeal to
the Senate and House of Representa-
tives urging an attempt be made to
secure the suspension of Germany
ruthless submarine campaign through
the application of the so-called Bryan
peace plan, which provides for an in
vestigation of all disputes by an in
ternational tribunal before resort to
war.
Mr.. Bryan asked that Congress al
SO consult the wishes of the people
through a referendum if it concludes
that nothing but war will satisfy the
nations honor. Mr.. Bryan's appeal
to Congress follows:
Exercising the citizens right of
petition, appeal to you. The dispute
with Germany has passed beyond the
domain of diplomacy, and some ad-
wise settlement by the sword. The
metropolitan press, which tried to
prevent the reelection of the Pres
ident and failed, undismayed by d
popular verdict of more than one
half million, now seeks to lash the
country into fury and urges the
Government to take part in the Eu,
ropean conflict.
"To you, and to you only, is given
constitutional authority to declare
war-war which in this case may
mean the signing of the death war
rant of thousands, even millions, OF
our countrymen and the laying of
grievous burdens upon future genera
tons.
Not Aimed at America.
Before you take this blood upon
your hands, consider, pray you,
first, that the wrongs which you
would punish, cruel and unjustifable
as thew are, are not intended primar-
lily against this country, but are acts
of desperation directed against other
nations with which the offenders are
at war.
"Second, that our land is not
threatened with invasion, but that we
are asked to go 5000 miles for a
chance to fight. Third, that we have
not the excuse for war that the Euro
pean nations had. They had no ma
chinery for peace. We have a peace
plan offered by this nation to the
world and now embodied in 30 treat
les with three-quarters of the popu-
lation of the globe. The plan has the
Endorsement of the President, the
commentator of the Senate and the
approval of the people at the polls.
1t provides for investigation of all
disputes by an international tribunal
before resort to war.
Would Use Peace Plan.
Fortunately, these treaties COM
pei US to employ the plan with Great
Britain, France, Italy and Russia be-
fore going to war with them. Ger
many formally approved the plan, al
though no treaty has yet been con-
cluded with her. Shall we repudiate
our plan the first time we have an OPP
portunity to employ it?
"If, as the President recently de-
clared, the American people do not
want war, is it not worth while to
try the peace plan before bringing up
on the people the horrors of war?
Until an attempt is made and failed
no one is able to say it would be inn
possible to secure the suspension of
ruthless submarine warfare during
the investigation for which the plan
provides. Shall we deny ourselves
the credit of trying to settle the dis
pute with the treaty plan?
"And, is it not worth while to do
our part in trying to avoid injury?
Would it not be better, as we'll as
cheaper, for the Government to carry
on its own vessels such Americans as
must go to Europe rather than en-
gage in war to vindicate the right to
citizens to disregard all risks and ride
upon belligerent ships?
Says Cause is Unworthy.
as it not worth while to separate
from contraband cargoes,
so that the captains of passenger
ships can give their entire attention
to the safety of the passengers. Our
nation is the worlds foremost advo-
cate of peace. If we go to war it
should be for cause which history
will justify.
"If you reach the conclusion that
nothing but war will satisfy the ma
TONS honor, is it too much to ask
that by referendum you consult the
wishes of those who must, in case of
war, defend the nations honor with
their lives?
GAS one who expects to live up to
a citizens duties, if war comes, l
plead with you to use all honorable
means to preserve peace before you
take the responsibility of plunging
our beloved land into this unprece-
Tented struggle, begun without any
sufficient cause and conducted by both
sides in utter disregard of the we'll |
settled rights of neutrals."