is there a statesman who would satisfy them all as a leader. They think that your consistent attitude in this great struggle between democracy and autocracy and all your messages and particularly your masterful answer to the Pope's proposition, indicate you as the leader-to take immediate control of the situation. They do not want you to wait until our Army, Navy, and Aircraft are equipped and at the front. They are willing to discount all this, as they need your guiding and universa"y trusted hand now at the International Helm.

Traditional mutual jealousies and ambitions, and their consequent suspicions disqualify any European statesman for that leadership; while the knowledge that America has no political ambitions in any part of the Old World, and the esteem which they feel for you personally would secure you the enthusiastic support of all the statesmen of the Allied Governments and their peoples. All our European cobelligerents are deferential towards us, receptive to American ideas and ready, as far as possible, to meet our wishes. I, therefore, venture to urge upon you to give this matter your very serious thought. The need for a disinterested leader is absolutely imperative.

In addition to the power you exert through the Government at Washington, the diplomatic missions in the Entente Capitals, and the American military missions in Europe, you might appoint a special commission to be stationed in Europe to represent you in all civil and political matters. It is difficult here to enumerate the various activities which you could entrust to such a Commission. This Commission should assist, in case of need, the American military authorities in their relations with the French or other European Governments and try to avoid and adjust all possible friction between them; it should be in touch with the political parties, the civil authorities, journalists, and all men who have a share in the forming of public opinion; it should collect all possible information, especially of a political nature, and report the same to you; it should, at the same time, through the press, the platform, and other similar means, impart American information and exercise an influence on French public opinion in the direction you may desire. I lay stress on this matter of exercising an influence on French public opinion because French affairs are now subject to petty political differences, schemes, and counter-schemes of those who are in power and men like Caillaux, Briand, Clemenceau, and others of the opposition. Such a commission under your guidance should endeavor to exercise such a salutary effect upon French public opinion as to make Frenchmen forget at this critical juncture all their petty strifes and induce them to concentrate their entire forces and energy upon the great main aim to destroy the autocracy of Germany, which should be declared an "international nuis

Even

ance" for it is maintained by the Hohenzollerns contrary to the wishes of many of its citizens. prior to the war, more than forty per cent. of the votes were cast by Social Democrats and others of the opposition. It is certainly a menace to the welfare and rights of self government of surrounding nations. No one feels this more keenly than the Germans and their descendants in the United States. They left Germany to escape this monster and have enjoyed the privilege of living anew and becoming an indissoluble part of this great liberty-loving nation. Alexander II emancipated the Russian serf; Lincoln freed the poor Negro; and it is your privilege to extricate the Germans from their miserable thraldom.

Moreover, our co-belligerents have divergent and conflicting interests, both in regard to the disposition of territories which they hope to liberate from their enemies, and in regard to the general problem of what concessions can be allowed our enemies, when the bargaining begins.

This Commission should study these questions and all others connected with them, so that you will have your own independent up-to-date information upon which to act in dealing with the Allies and the enemies during the war and at the Peace Conference.

Such a Commission can greatly assist you in your task to infuse the Great American Spirit into the Allied peoples, and so strengthen them that they will fight for right until it is established and has permanently destroyed the danger of a tyrannic militarism fastening its clutches into the whole world.

Yours most sincerely, HENRY MORGENTHAU.

Perhaps the most important feature of my conversation with the President was the word I brought him of the universal desire of our European allies that he should exert the intellectual and moral leadership of the common cause. The President was deeply impressed with the earnestness and solemnity of this message that I had brought him. He seemed for the moment almost overpowered at the thought of the stupendous responsibility that it thrust upon him. We now know how nobly he rose to that responsibility-how adequately he expressed and organized the moral basis of our cause-with what masterful and intellectual grasp and statesman's firm procedure he rose to be the undisputed leader of a world in righteous arms against the menace of autocracy. But, at the moment, he seemed perplexed, he seemed almost to despair. "They want me to lead them!" he exclaimed. where shall I lead them to?"

"But

VOLUME XLIII

T

HE epistle of Peace; to the Americans first, and to all others after: I, the Angel of Peace, an apostle of God unto all nations, unto men of good-will in every region, but most especially to them that dwell in America, greetings. Ye all do know how that I have lately suffered bondage, have been reviled, and have endured chains and stripes in prison. Yet count I these things as nothing, if so be they bring us all to understanding and unity of spirit in brotherly affection. So it seemeth to me well, at this time and in this manner, to exhort all such as bore with me in this affliction: stand ye fast, seek ye still the unity of peoples, for the great day cometh when Lucifer, even the Spirit of Strife, shall be cast forth into outer darkness, and all men shall hold traffic to gether in amity and rightness of purpose, both American and European and they that dwell in the uttermost places of Asia, being of one mind and heart, seeking peace with their whole souls, forsaking war (that abomination of desolation, which hath, indeed, beset us sore these eight years past, not only in the armed camp and on the field of battle, but likewise even in the hearts of men; who have made truce, saying smooth words, yet were they filled with rancor and bitterness of spirit, neither ceased they from wrangling and contention). But now, of a truth, I bring you this great hope: out of much speaking cometh enlightenment, and out of council cometḥ understanding. Know ye, then, that those gatherings of wise men, whether they were at Washington, or at Paris, or at London, shall bear fruit for the healing of

NUMBER 4

the nations. There shall be light out of darkness. They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Their men shall go forth to business, and the sons of men to the plow and the shuttle; neither shall they be afraid. Wireless unto wireless shall utter speech; and night after night shall they seek knowledge. This is that great hope, whereof I have spoken unto you.

But above all, brethren, learn ye of other men. They are all of one flesh with you, whether they be of Prussia, that late was filled with grievous error; or of Russia, that hath wandered far into the paths of darkness; or of Ind, which being far distant seemeth strange unto you past comprehension of knowledge. Yet are ye all of one household with them, having one common heritage; remembering this, that ye may not enjoy increase except they first be filled; for ye are children of one mother, even the earth, that knoweth no difference of persons, sending the rain to fall alike on the just and the unjust, bounteous to all that practise industry and withholding from none save him that seeketh to withhold her gifts from the common moiety; being all of one race, and one hope.

For ye are bondsmen one to another, strong when knit in singleness of understanding. Look about you; travel much; think abroad even though ye be bound at home; learn from him that returneth; share ye other nations' burdens, and they shall lighten yours. and they shall lighten yours. For this is the will of God, that all races should dwell together in peace and fruitfulness, even unto the end of the world.

Now is the accepted time.