Evening star., 1917-01-21
French Protestant Leader Explains Permanent Pacifism

After the war there must be formed
a league of nations, such as President
Wilson wants to form. and into which
will enter all tho neutrals-all nations
enter that league on the same footing
as the others. let her. She will not
be any stronger than the others. She
Will have her one voice. 1f she re-
fuses to enter, she will be alone"
"Bethmann Hollweg declares that not
only with Germany enter such a league,
but she will head it."
"Yes, yes; those are words Of the
German chancellor. but If the league
is made 1t will not be at the invitation
of Germany
How will such league continue the
work Of reforming German mentality
Of defeat will not be enough, will it?"
IT do not know. A people that has
lived on the idea that force creates
right II 1t is beaten. will be obliged
rights II humanity does not commit
suicide, Germany Will have to learn as
much as that. You know. this war Is
absolutely capital, the life and death OF
humanity. I believe that II you con-
woke a third conference Of The Hague
after peace, all will come to it and in
sist on right and Justice to make a
certainty Of successful peace"
Peace, yes" / said. But how do
you know they will insist on Justice
being doneT'
Peace IL not possible without JUS
tice"
Philosophers will agree with you" I
said, but will the people? In Eng
lish we talk Of right and wrong ~
Nine. N fs de Wit, sehlamberser. whose
Of civilization. and who is herself
president of the union which numbers
100000 French women. says that
what distinguishes a neutral Is that
he has not this idea of right and
wrong How then will you persuade
Germans that they have been in the
wrong"
tried to get at the full idea of this
most Intelligent and CONSCIENTIOUS
leader. who sways so many con-
sciences in France
Can you make Germans recognize It
without changing their government and
whole education?' 1 asked. Their so
cialists arc already saying that tho war
IT, only an effect of capitalism"
"Anticipations are difficult" he replied.
but it seems to me impossible that q
war like this, which is a war not between
armies but between peoples. war where
all suffer, where the United States com:
plain of the high cost Of living and
as it goes on obscures the world like
the darkness Of Calvary-it IL impossible
that such q war shall not have de-
cisive rebound on the mentality OF all
humanity"
but il it turns out to be toward evil7'
l said.
Here the serenity Of tho man lit up.
II cannot believe that all humanity
can choose suicide. because t. would d,is be
the socialist minister Of Belgium. hero
in Paris Never shall I forget how he
said, stretching wide his arms, This
war! An accumulation of plaques on top
Of plaques. Above the people, kings;
and, above all, folly-ineffable folly!
See a single consequence of this war!
The finest politicians of Europe must
solemnly mount the tribune of parlia-
statesmen are on the kitchen. The
shadow of famine extends over the occi-
dent in the twentieth century of the
Christian era. They took 100000 men
consequence. 1t is astonishing that we
have been able to live, and 1t is now that
we begin to feel 1t. and after 1t Is over
we shall feel it more. l say It is impos.
sible that such a war will not have not
only military and political consequences
but terrible economical consequences
for fifty years. For fifty years we must
economize. return-who knows how often?
the rest And so. as Nicodemus said to
Christ that a child cannot enter second
time into its mothers womb. SO 1 would
say that thinkins humanity cannot re-
turn to tho mentality Of tho dark ages.
We have already the critical mentality.
In the future we shall always think
critically. And SO I say that after this
war humanity will think differently on
war and peace"
rose to 60.
"I think we have right to hope" he
said, that this war will make the tomb
Of war-a shell-crater so great that tho
god Mars will be buried in it.
AS retired from the presence OF this
mystic leader of men with his inspired
hopes I glanced at the bare church walls
of the historical edifice where he had
just been urging his vast congregation
to economize in their daily living that
France might have provisions to hght
60 the very end. And at tho street cor.
nor I looked on tho statue OF Cougny.
his ohurchss hero--end z waS11or:
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