Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-07-04
How to Secure World Peace

" HE cart has been standing pc
fore the horse so long In the
search for International peace
Il that 1t seems as If somebody
ought to havo discovered
why 1t never moves. The tax
is continually of contrivances to pre-
vent war. Only occasionally does
any one mention the only real force
that can create peace, international
understanding and friendship. l be-
lieve that we need international
courts and associations. but to make
them function, to make them any
thing more than pious gesture
there must be between nations the
same sort Of good will. understand
ing of problems and respect for dit
ferences that exists within a civilized
nation.
To achieve this understanding
among peoples patience and hard
work are essential. 1t exists, but i'm
perfectly. within the nations. Many
agencies are at work in aid Of 1t. 1
wish to discuss some of those agen-
cies and in particular the institution
which seems to me incomparably the
most powerful weapon for peace or
war that exists. the press.
In former times the question of
peace or war was determined by the
attitude of kings, emperorS and
cars. Where they were friendly
their nations remained at peace. But
if one of them wanted to pick a quar-
rel, at least two nations would be
plunged into war. Therefore 1t was
of the greatest importance for their
subjects that the sovereEns should
be on good terms with one another.
The ambassadors they sent to foreign
courts went as their personal repre-
sentatives. Marriages contracted by
members of the different royal fam
lilies were supposed further to cement
the personal relations of the ruling
princes.
In the last so years. both the num-
bers and powers of these monarchs
have been greatly reduced. While
some of the outward forms have
been retained. the power has changed
hands. Ambassadors still 60 to some
foreign courts; but they really go as
representatives of governments-not
of individuals.
Foreign affairs are no longer con-
Quoted by hereditary kings. They can
still help in some instances, but the
decisions Of each nation are made by
It's government. The diplomatic corps
is less occupied with intrigue and
more concerned with business rela-
tons.
The personal relationships are as
important now as they ever were. but
they include a larger group. 1t is
necessary to have the friendship Of
whole people, not merely OF a royal
family Here. in my Judgment. is the
central fact of the debate concerning
peace.
While it is a great step forward for
nations to have their business trans
acted by organized governments
rather than at the whim Of individual
rulers, we are seeing a further ad-
vance in popular control. We are no
longer entirely dependent on diplo-
matte agents for our information
about countries. The field which they
can discuss Is more or less limited.
AS trade has picked up and business
relations have expanded there has
been a closer contact. some of 1t per-
sonal and, of course, certain amount
by correspondence. Our methods OF
communication have greatly improved
in the last few years, and with better
methods of transportation we see
more of each other. If the newspa-
pers continue along the lines they are
now following all people should be
better informed than they generally
have been as to the aims and ambi-
lions of other nations. We are learn
ing each others point of view and are
more likely to get along. Newspapers
are in a very favorable position for
stating public opinion, as there is no
reason why they should not say abso-
lutely what they think. The concen-
sus of opinion of the leading papers