“Naturally my mind has dwelt much on this problem,” he replied.  “The culmination of the European situation in the present war is very dreadful, but no good ever came out of crying over spilled milk.  However, it seems safe to conclude that a majority of the people of the civilized world will presently decide that a step forward must be taken.

“Everywhere in Europe, when the present conflict ends, this fact will be emphasized by shell-wrecked, fire-blackened buildings; by the vacant chairs of sons and fathers who have fallen victims; by innumerable graves and by a general impoverishment, the inevitable result of war’s great waste, which will touch and punish every man, every woman, every child.

“In the face of such an emphasis no denial of the facts will be among the possibilities, and I scarcely think that any even will be attempted.  If the federation Dr. Butler has predicted does not come about at once, it will be admitted almost universally that future disputes occurring between the Governments of Europe shall be settled, not by force of fighting men, but by arbitration at The Hague.

“And now a serious question obtrudes itself.  Must there not be a carefully considered and cautiously worked out understanding, which may be considered the preliminary of peace?  Later on the foremost men of every nation can meet in conference to consider with an earnestness hitherto unknown the great problems which will be involved in the permanent abolition of war and establishment of peace; but for this the way must be prepared.

“Here, again, I think The Hague Tribunal is the proper body to assemble for the purpose of devising means for the accomplishment of the great end, which must be such legislation as will accomplish, at the end of this war, the ending of all war among the nations.

“An important duty of the conference would be some arrangement for a union of the forces of the nations now at war, charged with and qualified to perform the duty of maintaining peace pending the completion of the final comprehensive plan.”

For One Purpose Only.

“It is possible and even probable that as a part of the accomplishment of this it may be found to be desirable and even necessary to organize and provide for the maintenance of a joint naval and military body of strength sufficient to enforce world peace during the period necessary for the preparation of a plan to be submitted to all powers.  But if this force is to be established, it must be done with the clear understanding that it is designed for one thing only, the maintenance of peace, and must not be used at any time for any other service.

“In the selection of the commanding officer to be intrusted with this task, it will be conceded that the victors in this war, or those who have a notable advantage at the time of the beginning of the armistice, shall have the right of his appointment.

“No protest ever will arise from the mass of the people of Europe against the abolishment of militarism.  Even the people of Germany, as a whole, have not found militarism attractive.  It has been the influence of the military aristocracy of Germany, the most powerful caste in the world, which not only has encouraged the national tendency, but has forced the Emperor, as I believe, to action against his will and judgment.