The Dominion. TUESDAY, MAY 16, 1916. ORGANISING AGAINST WAR

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2772, 16 May 1916, Page 4

The Dominion. TUESDAY, MAY 16, 1916. ORGANISING AGAINST WAR

An attractive picture of "the world to come" after the war is. drawn by the British Minister for Foreign Affairs (Sie Edward Gkey) in tho course of his interview with a correspondent of the Chicago Daily Hews. If his hopes are realised tho tears and blood that have been shed in this greatest of wars will.not have been sned in vain, and an indisputable victory for the Allies would be well worth the colossal money price that will have been paid for it. The comforting belief that, this war is' to bo the last war still lacks adequate foundation in reason, but it will bo a bitter disappointment if the conflict does not prepare the 'way for a settlement so firmly ba-sed on justice that the world's peace will riot again be disturbed for many generations. It is surely not too much to expect that mankind should learn some unforgettable lossons from the present upheaval. There is no reason why the nations should not organise against war. If this is impossible, if war must go on, then, as Sir Edwakd Gkey says, "the nations can protect themselves henceforth only by using whatever destructive, agencies they can invent, till the resources of invention and science end by destroying the humanity they were meant to serve." The era of everlasting and universal peace may still be far away in the dim and distant future, but many people are hoping that before this generation passes away a big step will have been made in that direction. It is not wildly optimistic to believe, that mankind will gradually learn to avoid war, and that reason, justice, aud mutual goodwill will exercise an increasingly powerful influence in tho regulation of international relationships. Sis Edwaud Ghey gives expression to the views of the great majority of men and women in almost every civilised State when he denounces Prussian war philosophy, and voices the desire for a settled peace which will be a guarantee against aggressive war. "Wo believe in negotiation,", he says, "and have faith in international conference." Before* the war began both Britain and Russia endeavoured to have the mutter b in dispute settled by reason and negotiation, but Germany was determined to fight. The common danger compelled the Allies to make common cause against Prussianism, and they, have now come to know each other better, and to trust each other more fully. Britishers and Frenchmen who are now fighting side by side, enduring tho same hardships and facing the same perils in order to crush the same foe, can never

again permit their relationships to be embittered by those feelings of suspicion and jealousy which caused so much friction iu days gone by. A chapter in their history has been closed, and a new one opened. Wo feel that the Italians and Belgians and Serbians are nearer to us than they were before the war, and we are not likely soon to forget the good turn which the Japanese have done for the Allies. Brotherhood in a war such at this leads surely to brotherhood in peace. No one can doubt the depth and sincerity of the recouciliiition which the war has effected between Britain and Russia. The more we learn about the Russian character the more wo admire it. In addressing a party of distinguished Russian journalists who recently paid a visit to England, the late Lord Buknham remarked that dur. ing this cruellest conflict in human history "there has been on both the English and the Russian sides the greatest and fullest admiration for what each Empire has done and attempted for the common cause. This alliance of war would become an alliance of peace also. The soul of England is warm towards Russia." The old idea that the Russians are our hereditary enemies has been banished for ever. The new spirit of goodwill has Jed the statesmen of the two nations to re-examine old difficulties formerly regarded as insuperable. Reason is doing what passion failed to do, and we now see that there is plenty of room in the world for both Britain and Russia. Wo have ceased to believe that the British Empire solely exists for the purpose, of keeping Russia out of Constantinople, or that Russia is for ever plotting and scheming to get possession of India. This new mutual trust has found practical expression in an agreement relating to the interests and policy of Britain and Russia in regard to Constantinople and Persia. This means that a friendly understanding has been reached, regarding two questions which have for many years been a constant cause of friction between the two nations. The Novoe Vremya, in announcing the agreement, remarks that it removes from "international relationships the poison which has envenomed European policy during three-parts of the nineteenth century." The treaty ma.y fairly be accepted as an illustration of the possibilities of the better* diplomacy in which Sir Edward Grey has just made his profession of faith. It makes one think that it may after all be possible to civilise international dealings. A recent writer on international molality holds that no real rights can ever be in conflict, for a real right carries with it a moral obligation to respect it. Claims may conflict, fciut the adjustment of rival claims is not an impossible task in itself /and given goodwill and a gonuino disire for justice, it should never be beyond the reach of friendly compromise.