New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-16
"Ultras" and ConServa-
tives Divide on Course
in Case of War
WOMAN'S PARTY
REMAINS ADAMANT
Will Fight to the End At
tempts to Resist Aggres-
sion by Germany

A conference, at which pacifists will
discuss the course TO be followed IN
the present crisis, will be held at the
Hotel Biltmore, under the auspices OF
the American Peace Society, on Feb
ruary % and 20.
While it is rumored that a majority
of the conservatives will demand that
the ultra-pacifsts abandon their
"peace-at-any-price" doctrines, and 1t
is known that several speakers will
urge that all unite in standing behind
President Wilson and advocate arm
ing for defence, Professor George W.
Kirchwey, of the American Peace So
ciety, denied last night that any ac-
ton taken at the conference, which
will be held behind closed doors, would
be binding on any organization repre-
sented
Professor John B. Clark, OF Colum-
bia University, a member OF the New
York Peace Society and the League to
Enforce Peace, who will be one OF the
speakers, issued statement in which
he declared that a demand will be
made that such ultra-pacifists as Will
lam Jennings Bryan modify their ex-
IRENE preachings during the present
situation.
Women's Party to Stay Out
Among the organizations TO be rep
resented are the League to Enforce
Peace, the World Court League, the
Church Peace Union and the World
Peace Foundation. One of those which
will not be represented is the Wom-
ans Peace party, which, it was an
nounced yesterday, will fight to the end
any attempt to resist German atfront
with action on the part Of the United
States.
In his statement DR.. Clark said that
he had been invited TO speak at the con-
ference as a member of the New YORK
Peace Society, which was formerly
branch of the American Peace Society.
"The New York Peace Society broke
away from the parent organization,
said DR.. Clark, "but in this crisis IT Is
willing to come together again and dis
cuss the peace problem in a sane,
rational way. All peace organizations
must come together in this crisis.
They must consider what is best for
them to do. They must think in seri-
Gus, open-minded way.
Unfortunately, the Washington
Office of the American Peace Society
has been pursuing a very marrow
course. 1t has been the Live of ultra
pacifsts, and although | do not know
whether Mr.. Bryan is member of the
organization, | would say that he, too,
is an ultra-paeiiist.
"Now, in this crisis. we must stand
behind President Wilson. We must
arm for defence. In that way will
peace best be observed The men who
entertain such ultra-pacifst opinions
as William Jennings Bryan, for in
stance, must modify them in this time
of confusion and danger. The meeting
is intended to be very broad and libe-
raj, and we hope to reach a sane con-
clusion.'
Kirchwey's Statement
DR.. Kirchwey said he did not care TO
express his views at this time, saying
that he would voice them at the con-
ference.
"The New York Peace Society has not
broken away and is still a branch of
our organization" he said, when Pro-
lessor Clark's statement was read to
him. "His expression is the view OF
one man.
There will be many other views eX-
pressed at the conference. The extreme
pacifists will voice their opinions and
the conservatives theirs, but no reso-
luton that may be adopted will be
binding on any one. II is simply a
conference, and ! have no doubt but
that after it is over the extreme paci-
fists will continue 20 hold extreme
opinions and the conservatives will re-
main conservi tives. The details of the
conference are being arranged in Wash
ington by the American Peace Society
with DR.. Frederick Lynch, of the
Church Peace Union, and representa-
tives of the other organizations. | do
not know whether Mr.. Bryan will be
present. ! don't know whether he is a
member of our organization, but | do
not believe he is. | don't even know
whether he has been invited to attend"
Dir. Felix Adler, of the Ethical Cult
ure School, is to be another speaker.
Mrs. Henry Wizards Statement
In attacking the proposed plan Of
the peace propagandists to take more
liberal view toward arming for defence
and supporting President Wilson in
event of war with Germany, the lead
ing men bers Of the Woman's Peace
Party and the Emergency Peace Fed
Grafton said they would fight to the
finish for passivity.
Mrs. Henry Willard, honorary vice
president of the former organization,
said;
at is never right under any circum-
stances to take a human life. II is use
less 10 try 20 fight war with war. am
of the belief that the Christian doc
trine of turning the other cheek is al
ways the best. The pacifsts who wish
to advocate arming for defence are in
juring the cause of peace. Theirs is a