El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-03-29
ASKS CONGRESS
FOR REFERENDUM
Bryan Declares There Is No
Just Cause for War; Sug-
gestS Peace treaties.

Miami. Fla. March 29-Wuliam T.
Bryan today addressed an appeal 70
the senate and house Of representa-
tives. urging that an attempt be made
to secure the suspension Of Germany's
ruthless submarine campaign through
the application of the socalled Bryan
peace plan. which provides fo- an in
vestigaton Of all disputes by an in
ternationaI tribunal before resort 70
war
Mr.. Bryan asked that congress also
consult the wishes OF the people
through a referendum II it concludes
that nothing but var viii satisfy the
nations honor.
Exercising the eitizeng right OF pc
tition. I appeal to you. The dispute
with Germany has passed beyond the
domain Of diplomacy and some advise
settlement by the sword. The metro
politau press. which tried TO prevent
the rejection OF the president and
failed. undism3yed By a popular verdict
OF more than One-half million, now
seeks To lash the country into a fury
and urges the government 70 take part
in the European conflict
Germany's Acts Are Of Desperation.
ITO you. and TO you only. is given
war which in this case may mean
the signing of the death warrant OF
thousands. even millions OF your coun-
trymen and the laying of grievOus
burdens upon future generations Be
fore you take this blood upon your
hands. consider, pray you. first that
the wrongs which you would punish.
cruel and uniustifiable. as thew are are
not intended primarily against this
country, but are acts of desperation di-
rected against other nations with
which the offenders are at war.
Second. that our land IS not threat
ened with invasion. but that we ara
asked TO go many thousand miles for a
chance 10 fight
"NO Excuse for Going 10 War
Third. that we have not the excuse
Tor going TO war that the European na-
lions had We have a peace plan Of
fered BY this nation TO the world and
now embodied IN 30 treaties with three
quarters Of the population OF the globe.
II provides for investigation OF all dis
putes by an international tribunal be-
fore resort TO war.
Fortunately. these treaties compel
US TO employ the plan with Great
Britain. France. Italy and Russia be-
fore going 10 war with them Germany
formally approved the plan. although
no treaty has vet been concluded with
her. Shall we repudiate our own plan
the first time We have an opportunity
TO employ it, Until an attempt is made
it would be impossible TO secure the
suspension OF ruthless submar ine war
fare during the investigation for which
the plan provides.
Why Not Avoid Iniuryf
And. is II not worth while to do our
part in trying to avoid injury? Would
il not be better. as well as cheaper. for
the government to carry on its own
vessels such Americans as must 70 10
Europe rather than engage in war 10
Tindicate the right OF citizens to dis
regard all risks and ride upon bel
ligerent ships2
1T il 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
Wants a Referendum.
II you reach the conclusion that
nothing but war viii satisfy the ma
TONS honor. is II 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 lvesc
As one who expects TO live up TO a
citizens duties IL 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 unprecedented struggle,
begun without any sufficient cause and
conducted by both sides in utter dis
regard of the well settled rights Of
neutrals."