How Can America Best Contribute To the Main Tenance of the World's Peace

In putting down my views on this subject I am not unaware that it is a delicate matter for a foreigner to make suggestions to cit- izens of another country as to the principles on which they should conduct their affairs.My excuse is the importance of the subject to the world at large.I will not, therefore, waste time in apologies, but will state briefly such views as I have been able to form, at a distance from the scene and without the advantage of conversation with leading Americans.The conclusion of this war will be, in my opinion, the great turning-point of civilization.Either we shall move henceforth se- riously and deliberately in the direction of peace, or we shall move to a continual increase of armaments among the nations already armed, the arming of those that are not armed, and, in particular, of the United States and China, and a series of wars in which civilization itself may be engulfed.Which of these alternatives will be adopted will depend, to a great extent, upon the influences the United States may be able and willing to exert at the peace settlement.I have always thought that the most hopeful issue of the war would be a peace made by the intervention of President Wilson, and followed by a congress at which he should preside.The United States is the one great nation not directly interested in the outcome of the war, not seeking increase of territory, or prestige, or power, not inspired by the desire for revenge.Of all the governments that may be concerned with the future of Europe, and therefore, of the world, yours is the only one likely sincerely to take the view of the peoples instead of that of the militarists and diplomats.And the imperative condition of peace is that the view of the peoples should be heard and acted upon for the first time in history.The congress at which I hope to see the United States occupy a leading position, should be one where all the European states, not only the belligerents, should be represented.The belligerent

Political science · Global Peace and Security Dynamics