Der Deutsche correspondent. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1841-1918, 1917-02-07
THE ONE HOPE or THE WORLD
NOW Is a LEAGUE or NBU-
TRIAL NATIONS TO EN-
FORCE PEACE.
lTrom Lhe New Yorl Ameriean.l J

anxious to maintain peace with Ger
many, ii it can be done.
II is equally plain that the Presi-
dent is willing to go to any length in
conjunction with the other neutral
nations to compel peace in Europe.
We can see no other meaning in
the invitation to the other neutrals,
or, rather, in the negotiations which
the President is carrying on with the
other neutrals, looking toward
league for the protection and en-
forcement OF their neutral rights.
We assume that such h league,
embracing, as it should, the South
American republics, the Scandina-
vian Kingdoms, Holland, Switzer
land and Spain, would insist upon
the enforcement Of neutral rights
against the aggrcssions of all the
conbatant nations Of the allies as
Well as against those Of the Central
Empires
otherwise the league would be a
farce so far as neutrality is con-
cerned. 1t would be, in fact, an ac-
tive, non-neutral organization. But
we are quite sure that the President
contemplates no such one-sided
league.
We can see no reason why such a
league OF neutrals cannot preserve
the peace of neutral nations even at
this critical stage; and we earnestly
believe that such league could
speedily end the war by simply
agreeing to withdraw from diplo-
matte and TRADE INTERCOURSE
with either or any Of the belligerents
which refused to desist from Illegal
exactions and aggrcssions or which
declined to negotiate with the other
bclligorcnts.
That would end the war in less
than ninety days, without neutral
firing shot, and without the
slightest risk OF any neutral beconl-
ing engaged in the war through de-
predations upon its commerce.
Tor II neutrals cut off all COM
merce with belligerents, there would
be no neutral ships carrying contra
band into war zones. Neutrals
would trade only between them
selves.
Neither belligerent would be mad
enough to send cruisers or sub
marines to destroy neutral ships
plying between neutral nations; and
ii either bclligercnt did interfere
with such lawful neutral commerce,
! tho league OF neutrals would be
strong enough to throw its weight
against that bclllgerent and crush
II.
This IS plain and practicable
road to escape war and to establish
ana maintain respect for neutral
rights and TO FORCE an end of this
j insane massacre Of Europe.
The President is a statesman.
and apparently very great states
man.
That he contemplaies anything
leBa than this at the final result OF
| his appeal to the other neutrals VIC
do not suspect. For anything less
would be an inadequate result,
grossly disproportionate to the op-
portunities and the power Of q
league Of the neutral nations at this
time
we know that such league
would be effective to compel peace,
The warning groups are SO evenly
| balanced that neither of them could
possibly rsE the peril OF having the
immense weight Of the neutral
world thrown in the scales against
III
The mere MORAL INFLUENCE
\ or such league would be sufficient
To make its voice decisive.
We shall not give up hope that
the President can yet find anlhonor-
able and effective way to keep the
peace with All the bolligercnts until
that hope dies BY an actual declara-
ton Of war.
! II that hope does 80 die, we shall
feel no loss Of self-respect for hay
ing entertained it until the last
moment nor do we think that we
shall lose the respect OF any good
man or good woman IN America bc-
cause we have done so.
1t must be clearly evident TO any
enc who goes much abroad among
his follows that tho desire OF the
country is yet for peace; that no
ono is less in favor than the 1ingoes
who have cndeavorcd and arc still en-
deavoring to fan the accursed Tires
! or hate into the dreadful flames o.
war.
We will all fight like men Il fighl
we must And we are All SolldlS
with the President
Let no man doubt that.
but the very loyalty to our lanc
which loads us all, native ane
adopted citizens alike, to pledge oul
fealty, our fortunes and our lives tt
the support Of our Government i
war must come, powerfully urges tC
seek every honorable means OF pre-
venting war from coming
We believe that League OF Neu
trail Nations, firmly united and De
terninediy resolved TO COMPEL
PEACE now, by persuation II pos
sible, by forve ii necessary, woult
save us and every other neutra
from cntaglement in this web OF aw
Z ful war and would redeem POO
Europe from the hell Of voc Y
which Its peoples groan in thci'
agonies and their toi1nents-
God grant that we may see ina
glad redemption accomplished ..
the wisdom Of the President Of tn
United States and the concurrence
OF the Government of the nations
~ .4tlt .,f naapp