The United States is also pacific in purpose and in spirit. The
American people have already in some ways taken up the leadership in
the plan of peace. It was Mr. Secretary Hughes who carried through the
Washington Agreement for naval disarmament and suggested the calling
of the Dawes Committee. There is no doubt that the American Government
will throw its weight of influence on behalf of a reasonable scheme for
the general disarmament. It is, however, by the efforts of individuals
and societies in the United States that public opinion in that country
is being educated in the ideals of international peace. A great tide of
pacifist emotion is beating up from the women’s clubs and all that vast
number of idealistic groups which find expression in Summer Schools,
Chatauqua lectures, literary societies, and political institutions
which form a highly organised system of propaganda and “uplift”
throughout the States by which mass opinion is formed and stimulated.
One can hardly exaggerate the power of this educative force in the
minds of a hundred and ten million peoples. In no other country in
the world is there such means of swaying public opinion towards a
single ideal by emotional appeal. That is not without danger, because
it might swing violently to some passionate impulse in response to
some real or imaginary danger, challenge, or insult to the honour or
interests of the American people. But at the present time they are
“out” for world peace. Whatever administration is in power it will be
subject to the pressure and insistence of a vast majority eager to
subscribe to some plan which will demilitarise the civilised nations
to a reasonable minimum of strength, and substitute international
arbitration and law for the old argument and ordeal of battle, while
maintaining the independence of the United States from all alliances
and “entanglements.” It seems to me a national policy, not only wise
and justified in its reservations, but immensely helpful to the
progress of the peace idea. A close alliance with the United States
would be tempting to Great Britain and France. But in my opinion it
would be a calamity, because it would create a new “Balance of Power”
so formidable that the other nations of the earth would either have to
obey its dictates, just or unjust, or resist it by force. It will be
far better for the world if the United States remains an arbitrator,
and does not become an ally of any group of powers.