The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1917-09-12
Must BE Arbitrament
of the Sword; There
Is No Alternative

of the University of Missouri and pres
ident of the Press Congress Of the
World
Diplomacy and the good ofaces OF neutrals
having failed 10 effect stay of warfare. why
not permit the press Of the world 20 Try rs hand
a. deYising a scheme Of preventing further
bloodshed wastage and suffering and of bringing
all nations OF the earth into covenant OF en-
during peace? on this day or triumph over the
tomb OF One who came "'to give light 90 them
that sic In darkness and IN The shadow of death,
20 guide our feet into the way Of peace ] beg
10 propose that, instead OF posponing the as
sembling OF the Press Congress OF the World
until 1919 the date be set ahead one year. thus
making II possible for the delegates - meet this
summer OF just soon as all the national as
eociatiOns can convene and select their repfteen
tatives The American Newspaper publishers
association meets In New York the lasf week or
April and the National Editorial association
meets in Minneapolis in july. Have Is under.
stood that the sole purpose % thls 4 onSi f~e ~
10 have the best equipped leaders OF taf fourth
estate OF all Chrstendom formulate a basis upon
which the warning powers can subscribe To an
arnistlce pending the adjustment OF differences
and the perfection Of permanent plans ~ inter
national tranquility 10 which an have already as.
scented IN principle The press is The palladium
OF the peoples liberties II has been accused OF
making wars rs cooperation IS sought and ai-
WAYS patriotically given In the successful pros
ecution OF wars II is expected 20 suppress
whatever may endanEcr the national cause IN
time OF war. Why can not the press prove mat
II can suppress war itself that II has the genius
and breadth OF vision. coupled Wlih love OK M
manity 10 make peace az time when all beihg
erents are weary Of strife, and thus demonstrate
before the world that the pen IA mlEnter than
the sword There would be nothing IN this ass
piration on the part Of the iberiyloN ne uniram-
meled Journalism OF the world that would be OUT
OF harmony with the announced program q this
country's participation 10 NE struggle, and be
lieve all the nations az would grant safe
conduct 10 the delegates 70 the meeting place OF
the Press Congress Of The World
In reply President Williams under date
of April 9, 1917, wired as follows:
II beg 10 acknowledge, with appreciation Of
your high motives your eloquent message IN
vokinR the aid OF the Press Congress OF the
World toward the abolition Of war and the pro
motion OF peace. I am transmitting II today TO
the members OF the Executive Committee. who
under the constitution OF the congress must de-
terrnine what action, II any, shall be taken IN
response thereto / will communicate further
with you when have heard from them.
Permit me TO thank you personally for your
noble and inspiring message
The executive committee, TO whom the |
suggestion of The Times was submitted |
comprised the following widely-scattered
representatives of the press of the
world
virgilio Rodriguez Beteta, Diarfo de Centre /
America Guatemala City. Guatemala
] Ryan, Australian Provincial Press Associa /
hon, LitngOWf New south wales AgsudIla
Robert Bell Guardian, Ashburton, New Yea
land.
X. sugimura, Asahi shlmbun, Toxic, Japan
DR. II Schoop, Swiss Press Association, Wied- |
ingstrasse 30. Zurich Switzerland
The Secretary Treasurer, A. X. Ford, Dominion
Press Gallery. Ottawa Canada.
The President, Walter Williams, Dean OF tho
School Of Journalism Of the University OF Mis-
souri, Columbus. Missouri. L. S. A.
Representative Of the governnen, o. New
South Wales. Captain J. W Niesigh, Premier's
once Sydney. New South Wales, Australia
The result of the submission of this
matter to the executive committee has
just reached The Times officially thru
the following communication from the
president of the Press Congress Of the
World:
Mr.. James schermerhorn,
The Times,
Detroit Michigan
NV dear Mt Schermerhorn:
am directed by the members OF the Executive
Committee OF the Press Congress OF the World
10 acknowledge with appreciation your message
asking that the date OF the Congress be advanced
In order that O session may be herd "at which
the best equipped leaders Of the fourth estate
OF all Christendom may formulate a basis upon
which the warning powers can subscribe n an
armistice pending the adjustment OF differences
and the perfection Of permanent plans ~ inter
national tranquility, 10 which All have already
assented ia principle" and to add that the mem
beers OF the committee have voted that under
existing conditions II would be unwise 70 hold
for any purpose n special meeting 20 The congress
in advance OF the date set for the congress 10
meet In Sydney In 1919
Very sincerely.
WALTER WILLIAMS.
President OF the Press Congress Of the World
Columbia Missouri, l. S. A. September 3, 1917
The Pen is not to have the sublime
distinction of prevailing over the war
ring millions in Europe.
Not the Pen of diplomacy; the Pen
of patient protest; the Pen Of unselfsh
appeal to the German people; nor the
Pen of the Fourth estate Of the world,
the press.
Neither is the Cross privileged to win
the field. Pope Benedict's Intervention
is unavailing because the Christian world
will not take the word Of official Ger
many in any covenant.
So the great task in hand-the abol-
tion of wars the Swords business, and
the Swords alone
The Sword is out Of the scabbard, not
TO be put back until sheathed to stayl
Tayoc Tuvifoc AIicb;or,v