The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-09-23

the bctne 'bNhu, the Scmt-OJJfctdf or
con Of the Splss Republic, Is quoted In
dr,,rer to the teeler from Bcrlin, .chich
vas rejected.
SPECIAL correspondence TO THE sen.
BERNE, Sept. "a peace programme
In which all nations can afford to be-
neyc. not one which is changed from
day to day. according to the military
situation. is the Swiss reply to a peace
ieeler emanating from Germany.
As 10 this peace programme President
wilson has to say the deciding word,
according to the Swiss view. and all the
world hopes that the President will stick
TO his word. not only regarding one side
OF the belligerents. but regarding all
SIDES.
There has been peace in the air
here in the capital OF Switzerland for
some time Well informed people do
not doubt that German agents, diplo-
matte and otherwise. have been be-
seeking the Swiss Government to try
to bring about peace negotiations. OF
course, Switzerland is only too glad to
assist in any movement tending to
bring about peace. But, as President
Calender said the other day, Switzer-
land will not propose any peace nego-
,lations to the belligerents. unless both
aides are in a receptive mood.
Besides, Switzerland Is interested in
the sort OF peace proposals II Is asked
to submit to one side or the other
From its own standpoint as a neutral. a
state similar to that of Belgium, 1t 10
Interested, as well as from the stand
point Of feasibility. What would be the
sense OF Switzerland offering German
peace proposals to France and England
While 1t knew beforehand that these
proposals would be rejected as prepos-
,e7ous?'
Governments Mouthpiece.
The Swiss Government did reject Ger
man peace proposals. no doubt for those
very reasons, perhaps not directly in
80 many words, but in the shape Of q
remarkable article published in the
Government's mouthpiece, the Bund.
The Swiss Government has no Official
extraordinarily, but when It has any,
ming to say, 1t says 80 i'll the columns
Of the Bund. The inspiration is the
signihcance of this important article.
which by the way. shows the weight of
Influence accorded to the United States
IT world matters by the Swiss and also
HE power America has gained in shap-
Ing public sentiment abroad
The article headed How Is 1t Going
to End'-the war is "It'Asays: I'VE
DO not want TO interfere and disturb
Ue ranks or the war prophets. Most
Of them seem to be perturbed enough
without any interference on our part,
When putting the question. How
Is II Going to End?" we think. in the
hrsf place. of mistakes made and ask
whether the consequences of those mis-
'ahes have been understood, and
whether this intelligence led to acts.
lor 1ron the reply to this question. It
seems 10 us. depends the worlds fu-
ut-' including. perhaps. the fate OF
Switzerland
The biggest mistake OF this war from
we very first day on was putting a
iH!se estimate, wrong Interpretation
OF the moral qualities and principles
ot the opponent. We neutrals, standing
!or four years within the range of
mental cross-fre aiming assaults upon
'he nerves Of battling nations have a
rsht to say a few words, not for the
purpose of Judging any one. but only to
po'nt out some facts. plain to the eyes
VI one who can see. but facts never
,neIess. which some people are trying
70 Veil again and again. II is high
,rne for this sort OF plain speaking,
y.
The nations at war. all Of them,
s-e performing wonders unheard Of be-
'''f VINO is 1t that Is again and again
N'F!hg The hghting spirit of the peo-
pes IN the very first place the In
.dners within the ranks OF the opposing
Peoples are to be mentioned here.
ronhoians and conquering strategists OF
we paper front, verbose champions of
80 they are, turning the passions of
.orelsn peoples against their own coun-
w. moblizing infinite forces, moral
'"ices that arouse the masses.
Brings Bitter Feeling.
Sut what is bound to fil us with
,'lTness more than anything else,
mat 49, this rise and fall of the lust
tor conquest in accordance with the in
g'atons OF the military barometer,
1Sc.osing the changing fortunes of war
III me east and in the west According
" me Indications OF this barometer the
ooJe''s OF war as supported by public |
'ufn"nt will also rise and fall And
We ups and downs of this barometer
ore furthermore guiding certain states |
men as TO whether they should be silent |
m speak out on the question OF con-
clAa'ion and peace.
rms is the worst of all. For II de- |
'"e Urlet IN Justice ana auto |
m"ucally leads to the state of mind |
~ which people believe that the final |
uement Is merely a question of
m,sht' that they cannot achieve any
ulns unless they exact Il from their
'.n'ny by physical force. This is what |
Gus 10 war of humiliation.
. he'gium was in the beginning. II is |
"'pay and II will be to the end. the |
,n''dl point OF this wars moral prob
Neither blackguardism nor ST.
.'n'" VIII ever remove this issue. The
"1Nan'age Of attacking France by way |
an INVASION into Belgium one could
. .a,r inquired out by applying a speed
e. IRON military-technical viewpoint |
, pan was laid out to perfection and
,',, pan, followed infinitely. worked
'h Some obstacles. unexpected per-
.'pS. 'ould only retard the invasion to !
Light degree |
- england declared war. Perhaps. al
.'ush II does not seem so. that was to
" expected Perhaps. and this Is a con-
r,uft In favor OF which much may he
an' British participation in the war
Vas sHs bound 20 come ,any event; I'M
,plh'edly this participation was more
"Sn probable In the event OF demands