Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-14


tory, and that the slaughter ought to be
stopped"
why, he'll be an earl some dayv' ex
claimed Mrs. McFabre, looking up from
the book, "and he married Alys Smith. of
Philadelphia. in 1894. have heard of
her and Of her father, Pearsail Smith. He
went to London to live years ago. Mr..
Russell's grandfather was Lord John
RUSSELL who was Prime Minister and he
mas written lot of stupid books. Here's
one, FOUNDATIONS OF Geometry and an.
other' Principles of Mathematics and
some more about philosophy. don't see
how a man interested in such things can
defend war"
But he doesn't" remarked her hus.
band. Hes opposed to the use OF force"
Then | think I'd like him. ri take
back what I said about 'Bertie.'"
Il don't think YOU would like him." I
remarked. He thinks that the customs
or society and its moral standards should
be so changed that no disgrace would
at'ach to an unmarried woman with n
child. Indeed, he thinks that society
ought to be so reorganized that this might
happen.
Il@ BEAST was her only comment.
me title of his book does not do il
tull Justice" | continued "NIr. Russell
oeheves that society is out of Joint; that
IL needs reorganzng from top to bottom
on a different plan; that our system of
education. our marriage customs o,r
method of holding property and o,r re.
hgion are In as bad state as our method
vi cohouctlng our governments. War.
ne says, is the product of instinct and
passion and that reason, as IL IL preacbed
oS traditional moralists. is too negative
100 rttle living. to make a good life 1T
's not py reason alone he SAYS, that
wars can be prevented, but by a positive
lie or impulses and passions aptaponis,ic
10 those that lead to war. 1t is the life
oi impulse that needs to be changed, not
ohiy the life of conscious thought"
lie apparently looks for something like
that which we theologians call a new
pifth' remarked Doctor McFabre.
yes, something like that. But am not
surprised that the English slenced him
HE Is like man who should rush I'M m n
surgeon trying to save the life of a police
onicer breeding from severed artery
ana force him to listen to a discussion of
the theory of the circulation of the blood
such a discussion is proper enough under
other circumstances, but theory has to
wait on the immediate practical task
Russell in this book says that nothing
! that England or France or Germany can
win is worth the cost of the war in money
and blood Why not let Germany have
what 1t wants? he asks, and live in peace
III Napoleon had been permitted to domi-
nate Europe the world would have been
better off, and he suggests that pax
Germanica brought about by the consent
of the other nations would be better than
any other outcome Of the struggle Let
England give Germany some of her colo
MES and let Germany exercise military
control over the whole world, while the
nOn-German States were permitted Ger.
tain autonomy in their private and loca
affairs
He evidently does not understand the
age in which he lives and has little COM
prehenson of human nature" said the
doctor
"Well, what would you expect from q
man who had devoted himself to writing
books on mathematics, which have nc
more relation to life than theology has tc
religion? And philosophy? The student
| Of philosophy deals in distractions ant
spins fine threads out Of his brain which
he weaves into a fabric OF gossamer toe
thin to protect man from the chill wind.
Of everyday life"
What is the use Of such book as
Why Men Fight?' Mrs. McFabre asked.
at makes men think. Russell repeat.
the old platitude which has survived be
cause 1t is true, that there is nothing 81
vital as thought. Plant an idea in tht
world and it will come to fruition. 1t ma,
take centuries. but the result is certain
He has been planting seed. Whether it,
fruitage will be weeds or good grain M
one can tell. His is but one of many
voices which have been expressing dis
content with existing conditions. Discon
tent is healthful. 1t is sign of life ant
a harbinger of progress When WE ar
discontented enough with settling inter
national disputes by war, then the peac'
of God will come. 1t has not yet conn
because the way to 1t passeth all human
understanding.
doctor, would you like to read tn
book?"
81 would, indeed"
"It is well worth reading. whether yo'
agree with Russell or not for he is
sincere man, HONESTLY seeking after tn
truth and willing to be a martyr to hi
conception of it,
GEORGE w. DOUGLAS.
yuy MEN FIGHT A method OF abolishing n
international duel BY bsrfTSnd EiIoW ana HpI.e Lecturs
| ss rrrirtt, toilege Cambridge. New York
Ths Century Company. H.bO.