Der Deutsche correspondent. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1841-1918, 1917-01-15
VIZ Musr THN wAR 90 oN2
BY Arthur Ponsonby, NJ P.
Issued by The American Neutral
Conference Committee,
20 Fifth Avenue, New York

his IeuhfKdDle document Dy
| Mr.. Ponsonby the distinguished
diplomatist and Member OF Parlia-
ment was written just prior to the
German Peace note OF Decembed IL.
1t was brought to this country by q
returning American who smuggled
| it past the censor. 1t was presented
to the committee under circum-
stances almost as dramatic as those
attending the Bertram Russell let
ter.
Mr. Ponsonby says:
The policy of the aggressive Ger
man militarist party has been COM
| pletely defeated. Germany is
crippled and bankrupt Millions OF
the best lives in Europe have been
lost Millions of men have been dis
abled and MANNED Millions OF
homes have been destroyed. Vast
territories have been devastated. We
are paying six millions day, and
financial ruin stares Europe in the
face.
If we are fighting for our own
safety do you think the country is in
danger from Germany now?
If VIC are fighting for France are
we quite sure that the Germans
y
of France they have occupied during
the war?
If we are fighting for Belgium are
VIC quite sure the Germans are not
prepared to agree to the evacuation
OF Belgium, and to restore to her
complete sovereignty and independ-
ence II so, would not this be bet
ter way than The further destruction
Of Belgium homes and cities?
II we are lighting for Serbia and
free Poland are we quite sure that
the Austiians would not agree to a
settlement OF the Serbian question
which is part OF much larger ques-
tion ~-on tho lines OF nationality?
And that Germany and Austria
would not consent To the reconstl-
tuition OF Polish Kingdom
DO You Expect Decisive Military
Victory
Is such u complete victory probable
IN modern warfare? And, If il could
be achieved would not the sacrifice
be out Of all proportion TO the ad-
vantage gained? Moreover, is 1t
decisive military victory that will
bring q lasting peace to Europe2 A
dictated peace has always meant
wndictiye peace. There can be no
permanent settlement with peace
rs that But If q decisive victory
is not probable. then the vast sacri-
fices which for the continuance OF
the war must entail Will be wasted.
Is q gamble for a possible temporary
triumph Of arins--a triumph which
cannot in itself provide a guarantee
OF permanent worth such q
terrible price In human life and suf-
fering?
DO You Want TO Punish Germany
You cannot punish a nation You
cannot even reach those who arc re-
sponsible You cannot, by punish
ment inflicted upon all sections OF
the people, convince a nation which
believes in the justice OF it's cause
that its belief Is wrong. Should we
believe that we were in the wrong
IL Germany punished us? OF course
we should not Furnishing q nation
means massacring the people and al
lowing your own people TO be mas
sacred at the same time. This pro-
cess has been going on now for over
TWO YEARS and still continues.
The German people are being punish
cd severely. and SO are the French
people, so arc the Belgian people,
the Russian people, aud other peo-
pies. But no Government is being
punished.
DO You Want 20 Staryc Germany
Into Submission
This may take years and will cost
millions OF pounds, and hundreds
Of thousands Of lives. You will
first starye tho British prisoners,
then the poor, women and children
as well as men, you won't reach the
Army for long time, and you won't
reach tho rich and the governing
classes at all. Und when you have
done II, and reduced our own coun-
try and our Allies to a condition OF
exhaustion and paralysis, viii you
feel that Great Britain has been the
great upholder OF civilization. viii
you feel that you have laid a sure
foundation for a new and peaceful
Europe? If you want revolution this
is n straight road to it.
Are You sure the war is not going
on because OF secret agreements we
have made with Russia, with Italy,
and with France? What are these
agreements? Ought we to 80 on
fighting without knowing what we
are tignting for?
The only Powers that can stop this
war are Great Britain and Germany
Tie Allies depend on us. Our
financial strength gives us pre-
dominant position. Would il be a
weakness on our part deliberately to
take the lead and bring Europe back
| to Peace? II is a far greater weak
ness TO so drifting on just for the
sake OF what is called winning the
war" not knowing what winning
means, not knowing what winning
may cost US, only knowing how little
permanent gain ever comes from
the mere triumph Of force.
Force and violence cannot brin8
any Government to reason but only
to temporary submission. Force
/ and violence cannot bring content
/ ment to any people. Force and
( violence cannot create q peaceful
Europe Surely II is better for
Great Britain to come forward as
/ the champion OF civilization than to
continue to be a participant in the
! a., 4,f,I.r,to ho,nl\o ,.fq,,, fbn world