Although every thoughtful person must earnestly desire that the waste
and destruction of this greatest of wars should be stopped as soon as
possible, there is an overpowering feeling that the war should go on
until all the combatants, including Germany, have been brought to see
that the Governmental régime and the state of the public mind in Germany
which have made this war possible are not consistent with the security
and well-being of Europe in the future.
Personally, I feel strongly that the war ought to go on so long as
Germany persists in its policies of world empire, dynastic rule,
autocratic bureaucracy, and the use of force in international dealings.
If the war stops before Germany sees that those policies cannot prevail
in twentieth-century Europe, the horrible wrongs and evils which we are
now witnessing will recur; and all the nations will have to continue the
destructive process of competitive armaments. If peace should be made
now, before the Allies have arrived at attacking Germany on her own
soil, there would result only a truce of moderate length, and then a
renewal of the present horrors.
I cannot but think that Europe now has a chance to make a choice between
the German ideal of the State and the Anglo-American ideal. These two
ideals are very different; and the present conflict shows that they
cannot coexist longer in modern Europe.
In regard to the suggestion which your correspondent made to you that a
conference of private persons should now be called in the hope of
arriving at an agreed-upon appeal to the combatants to desist from
fighting and consider terms of settlement, I cannot but feel (1) that
such a conference would have no assured status; (2) that the combatants
would not listen; and (3) that the effort would, therefore, be untimely
now, though perhaps useful later.
One idea might possibly bring about peace, if it fructified in the mind
of the German Emperor--the idea, namely, that the chance of Germany's
obtaining dominating power in either Europe or the world having already
gone, the wise thing for him to do is to save United Germany within her
natural boundaries for secure development as a highly civilized strong
nation in the heart of Europe. Surplus population can always emigrate
happily in the future as in the past.
The security of Germany would rest, however, on an international
agreement to be maintained by an international force; whereas, the
example which Germany has just given of the reckless violation of
international agreements is extremely discouraging in regard to the
possibility of securing the peace of Europe in the future.
Although this war has already made quite impossible the domination of
Germany in Europe or in the world, the leaders of Germany do not yet see
or apprehend that impossibility. Hence, many earnest peace-seekers have
to confess that they do not see any means whatever available for
promoting peace in Europe now, or even procuring a short truce.
I wish I could believe with you that the Governments of England, France,
Germany, and Russia would listen to the voice of the American people.
They all seem to desire the good opinion and moral support of America;
but I see no signs that they would take American advice or imitate
American example. President Wilson seems to think that this country will
be accepted as a kind of umpire in this formidable contest; but surely
we have no right to any such position. Our example in avoiding
aggression on other nations, and in declining to enter the contest for
world power, ought to have some effect in abating European ambitions in
that direction; but our exhortations to peace and good-will will, I
fear, have little influence. There is still a real contest on between
democracy and oligarchical methods.
You see, my dear Mr. Schiff, that I regard this war as the result of
long-continuing causes which have been gathering force for more than
fifty years. In Germany all the forces of education, finance, commercial
development, a pagan philosophy, and Government have been preparing this
war since 1860. To stop it now, before these forces have been
overwhelmingly defeated, and before the whole German people is convinced
that they are defeated, would be to leave humanity exposed to the
certain recurrence of the fearful convulsions we are now witnessing.
If anybody can show me any signs that the leaders of Germany are
convinced that there is to be no world empire for Germany or any other
nation, and no despotic Government in Europe, I shall be ready to take
part in any effectual advocacy of peace. Sincerely yours.