South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-03-29
Former Secretary of State
Accuses Metropolitan Press
of Efforts to Bring
on HoStiIitieS.
HAVE NO EXCUSE FOR
JOINING ALLIED NATIONS
Would Separate Passengers
from Contraband CargOeS.
FaVorS Putting Cues
ton to People.
International News Service;

International News Service:
MIAMI, Fla, March 29.-William
Jennings Bryan. one time secretary
Of state and ardent peace advocate.
IN a last effort TO stave off the par
ticipation of the United States in
the European war, today issued an
open appeal TO members Of con-
gress.
Charging the metropolitan press"
with efforts TO lash the country into
a war furOre, Bryan appeals TO the
members of congress to maintain
peace
Mr.. Bryan states in his declara-
ton that if war comes. ne expects
TO live up to a citizens duty"
The appeal follows:
Ito the Members of United States
Senate and House OF Representa-
tives:
"Gentlemen:-EXercising the cit
liens right Of petition, 1 appeal to
you. The dispute with Germany has
passed beyond the domain of diplo-
macy and some advise settlement
by the sword. The metropolitan
press which tried to prevent the
reelection Of the president and
failed. undismayed by a popular
verdict Of more than one-half mil
lion, now seeks TO lash the country
into a fury and urges the govern
ment 10 take part in the European
conflict.
Are Acts of Desperation.
TO YOU and 20 you only. is given
the constitutional authority 10 de-
clare war-war which in this case,
NAV mean the signing of the death
warrants of thousands. even mil
lions, Of your countrymen. and the
laying of greviOus burdens upon
future generations. Before you take
this blood upon your hands. con-
slider. l pray you, first, that the
wrongs which you would punish
cruel and unjustifiable as they are,
are not intended primarily against
this country. but are acts Of des-
peration directed against other ma
tons with which the offenders are
at war.
Second. that our land is not
threatened with invasion. but that
we are asked 10 go 5000 miles for
a chance 10 fight.
Third. that we may not have the
excuse for going TO war that the
Europeans had They had no ma
chinery for peace, we have a peace
plan. offered by this nation TO the
world and now embodied in so
treaties with three Quarters Of the
population of the globe. The plan
has the endorsement of the presi-
dent. the commentator Of the sem
ate and the approval of the people
at the polls. II provides for investt-
CATION of all disputes By an interna-
tional tribunal before resort to war.
Have Treaties With Allies.
Fortunately. these treaties COM
pei ms 10 employ the plan with
Great Britain. France. Italy and
Russia before going 10 war with
them Germany formally approved
the plan. although no treaty has yet
been concluded with her Shall we
repudiate our own plan the first
time we have an opportunity 10 en-
plov it, r. as the president re-
I CenLlA UetldIt0r the -NiiitAANcAA ft'
pie do not want war, is il not worth
while 90 try the peace plan before
bringing upon the people the hor-
rors of ware Until an attempt is
made and fails. no one is able 20
say that il would he impossible 10
secure the suspension OF ruthless
submarine warfare during the In
vestigation for which the plan pro-
vides. Shall we deny 10 ourselves
the credit Of trying 20 settle the dis
pute with the treaty plan?
And is il not worth while 20 do
I our part I'm trying 20 avoid injury
Would il not be better. as we'll as
cheaper. for the government 20
carry on its own vessels such Amer
leans as must GO 20 Europe. rather
than engage in war 20 vindicate the
right OF citizens 10 disregard all
risks and ride upon helligerent
ships?
For Separate Cargocs.
rs Il not worth while 20 separate
passengers from contraband cargoes