Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-05-13
AUTHOR WARNS j. 5.
AGAINST HUN PEACE
Writer OF 'Thc Simple Life" Gives
His Views on Question With
Much Force.
DEFENDERS OF THE RIGHT
Man Of Violence Must Be Over
thrown, He Declares, If We Would
Again Lead Quiet and Free
Life.

NEW YORK, May 12.-German lust
for world domination has evoked from
Pastor Charles Wagner, OF Paris, au-
thor. and one OF the worlds leading ex-
ponents of the simple life" a message
to the American people. in which he
warns against n German peace. and de-
clares that ITO go on leading n quiet
life when iniquity is flooding the earth
is to become an accomplice OF iniQuity."
The message makes special appeal to
pacitists
DR.. Wagner, writer of THE Simple
Life" was invited recently to make a
tour Of the United States by the Ma
tional Committee on the Churches and
the Moral Aims of the War for the pur-
pose OF inspiring churches to more eff
fective patriotic efforts. His health
prevented him from accepting the invi-
tation, and he sent his Message to
Americans" instead.
All religious and moral motives
unto to make us the defenders of
right" the message reads. There Is
neither excuse nor escape; the man of
violence must be overthrow if we
would again lead quiet and free life.
II we offer peace, he will be our master
The world will bow before Goliath If
he does not encounter his David. But
| that shall not be. The spirit OF David
is making steady progress: it is win
ming the nations. They understand the
only way 10 save the liberty OF the
world is to say to violence. Halt"
1t appears more clearly every day,
by the acts Of our enemies, that they
are endeavoring to achieve a world
wide domination. They cover the false
ness Of their designs with tho cloak
OF piety. 1t is in the name of God
that they want to impose their tyranny
and make everything give way and how
before them. What we have to face
now is fearful attempt TO reduce
mankind to slavery by usurping Divine
power itself When they have covered
the earth with blood and ruins and
contrived a wholesale corruption Of
consciences, they show us in one hand
Il glittering sword and In the other
an olive branch, the symbol of peace.
who are they-those who are prof
fering peace They are the men who
let loose war, believing they would
surely conquer. who violated the trea-
ties they themselves had signed, who
ransackcd unofendinE countries. who
pillaged and burned towns. who dealt
ruthlessly with the civilians OF the
invaded countries, including aged peo-
pie. women and children. They need
peace in order to profit by their booty.
Those who are Offering us peace are
n highly organized gang Of highway
robbers who have secured enormous
plumber and want to keep it under the
cover OF treaties.
You men OF peace, arc you the r:en
OF such a peace? Is il the peace OF
brave hearts. of honor and Justice. of
truth OF Brotherhood? Nc, 1t is the
shameful peace of surrender under
threats. OF connivance with evildoers.
peace which means the torsalinG OF
the oppressed, crimes unpunished and
the triumph of the lower instincts.
1T IS against such peace that we
ought TO make war. Never has 4 more
sacred duty rested with the men of
any age. Iron letters are ready to
enchain liberty in body and spirit.
Peace under these conditions, means
acceptance of the Prussian military
system in trade. industry. education.
in the language we speak and the
prayers we utter. Look at Poland.
look at Alsace and Lorraine! Is it
for this that the pilgrim fathers left
everything? 1t is for this that Wash
inGton and Lincoln fought the good
fight? Is it for this future the Ameri-
can mothers wish TO rear their sons?
No! a thousand times no, With such
possibility hanging over us like a
threatening cloud. no peace is possible
Every upright man ought to say:
Here ! stand: ] cannot do other
wise. God help men"