Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1917-10-18

'N " h0AbAA NOSOs AA4OAS
will be many. such problems, and
the best minds Of the world must
study them. My answers to your
questions are but suggestions. All
such problems must be settled by
an international court, which shall
proceed upon the theory that all
peoples capable of self government
shall have absolute freedom, and
all other peoples shall be made
capable of governing themselves
as rapidly as possible. Each peo-
pies shall be free to decide for it
self as to it form of government,
but shall be required to pledge
itself to the principle of universal
peace. That pledge will be neces
sary only at first-after so years
Of peace, no nation will ever think
of war! 1 know that, for a genera
ton or two, there will be difficult
ties. We have grown suspicious
of each other; we have become
hardened by hatred and injustice.
But time will change all that. Let
us lay down our arms, disband our
armies, restore what we have stol-
en-, and, instead Of hatred, we shall
find love III our hearts. Instead Of
oppression, we shall have justice,
tempered with mercy. Each man
will have his work to do, and none
who works will go hungry and we
will end by becoming citizens, not
of Germany, France: Or Of any
other country, but of the world! l
tell you, sir, that our great-grand-
children, looking back at us from
a world at peace and united in a
brotherhood, will wonder at us
we shall seem to them blind saw
ages, murderers, lunatics!"
1t was evident enough that the
prince vas moved. He was young,
he had always been something Of
a dreamer. Rigid training at his
fathers hands had gone far to dis
pei the dreams, but they were not
quite rooted out. Now, at the
words of this supreme idealist, this
inspired dreamer, they revived
again. He sat regarding the
speaker with misty eyes, his
mouth a little open, his hands
gripped in front of him. Pach-
mann, glancing at him, passed his
hands before his lips to wipe away
a sheer.
"All most interesting" com
mented the admiral, in his ironical
voice. ~ think that we under
stand your proposal fully. There
is only n point upon which you
have not made yourself quite clear.
Should we be unable to agree,
what will be your next step?"
II thought I had already told
you," answered Ward, inpatient
ly. "Should we disagree, 1 shall
offer France the same opportun-
lty which | now offer Germany"
"You will find France skep-
teal"
"Then ] shall offer her the same
proof I offered you. That will be
best, will it mott" and Ward
looked straight into Pachmann' s
eyes.
Pachmann sprang from his chair
his mouth working, his eyes suf-
fused.
"You will destroy n of our
ships?" he demanded his voice
hoarse.
"a ship or a fort-it shall be
for France to choose"
Pachmann's fingers were
twitching visibly to be at the 9TH
er's throat. But by a mighty eff
fort he controlled himself, flung
himself again into his chair and
poured himself out a glass of
brandy from the bottle at his ell
bow.
"Wil you drinki" he asked
over his shoulder.
"No, thank you," answered
Ward.
The prince sat without moving,
still staring at the inventor. Meet
ing his eyes, Yard smiled slightly.
Pachmann set down his glass,
and turned back to them.
81 must ask you to pardon me,''
he said. II lost my self control
a thing / do not often debut
your suggestions seemed to me in
supportable. However, I can per-
ceiye that there is another side
to them. / think we understand
your proposal now, most thor
oughly. There are certain de-
tails which the prince and I must
discuss together, before we can
submit an answer. In a matter Of
such moment, we must proceed
with the greatest care. This is