Taw "VVl \ 0 * A NEW ERA IN HUMAN HISTORY Four Weeks Study in the Outlines OF World Constructive Statesmanship AND A PETITION TO The President and Congress of the United States of America Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2020 with funding from Columbia University Libraries » https://archive.org/details/newerainhumanhisOOworl FOREWORD The following outlines of World Constructive Statesmanship for bringing in a New Era in Human History are designed for a course of study rather than of reading. The class leader should arrange for several members to take part each time in discussing the salient points of the lesson, thus promoting variety and interest. Each member of the class might well be asked to familiarize himself with one or more of the volumes mentioned in the list given of Helpful Literature (page 10). Should the class so desire, two or three weeks might well be devoted to each of the four principal topics, thus giving time for reports from individuals on the important volumes mentioned in the reference literature. The petition should not be signed until after the course of study has been com¬ pleted. Each member of the class should then undertake to secure as many signatures as possible. The class might well offer a prize to the member securing the largest num¬ ber of signatures by April 30, 1917. All signatures to the petition should reach the national office of the World Alliance for International Friendship (105 East 22nd Street, New York City) before May, 1917. This course of study and the Petition to the President and Congress of the United States are presented for wide study by the following organizations and groups: Name Address American Council of the World Alliance for Promot- ' ing International Friendship through the Churches Commission on Peace and Arbitration of the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America 105 East 22nd St., New York City Commission on Christian Education of the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America Missionary Education Movement of the United States and Canada 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City. American Christian Missionary Society, Department of 108 Carew Bldg., Cincinnatti, Ohio Bible Schools Northern Baptist Convention, Department of Missionary 23 East 26th St., New York City Education of the Co-operating Organizations Northern Baptist Convention, Department of Social Ser- 1701 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, Pa. vice and Brotherhood Congregational Sunday School and Publishing Society, Department of Education Methodist Episcopal Church, South, Educational Depart¬ ment of the Board of Missions Presbyterian Church of the U. S. A., Department of Mis¬ sionary Education of the Home Missions Board Presbyterian Church in the United States, Educational Department of the Executive Committee of Foreign Missions Reformed Church in America, Department of Missionary Education 14 Beacon St., Boston, Mass. 156 Fifth Ave., New York City 810 Broadway, Nashville, Tenn. 154 Fifth Avenue, North, Nashville, Tenn. 25 East 22nd St., New York City Baptist Young People’s Union of America United Society of Christian Endeavor 3 107 South Wabash Ave., Chicago, Ill. Mt. Vernon St., Boston, Mass. Name Peace Makers Commission of the Christian Church Peace Makers Commission of the Presbyterian Church in the United States (South) Christian Women’s Peace Movement California State Church Federation Church Federation of Greater Kansas City Massachusetts Federation of Churches Peace Association of Friends in America American School Peace League Board of Public Welfare Buffalo Peace and Arbitration Society Chicago Peace Society Georgia Peace Society Mohawk and Hudson Rivers Peace Society New England Department of the American Peace Society Order of the Golden Rule Pacific Coast Department of the American Peace Society Pennsylvania Arbitration and Peace Society Washington Peace Society Woman’s International Friendship League Woman’s Peace Party (National Organization) Woman’s Peace Party, Massachusetts Branch Woman’s Peace Party, Pennsylvania Branch World Peace Association Youngstown Peace Society Address Dayton, Ohio Nashville, Tenn. West Medford, Mass. Wright and Callender Bldg., Los Angeles, Cal. Scaritt Arcade, Kansas City, Mo. 53 Mt. Vernon St., Boston, Mass. Richmond, Ind. 405 Marlborough St., Boston, Mass. Greensboro, N. C. Buffalo, N. Y. 116 South Michigan Ave., Chicago, Ill. 321 North Boulevard Ave., Atlanta, Ga. Albany, N. Y. 6 Beacon St., Boston, Mass. 1884 Columbia Road, Washington, D. C. Richmond, Ind. Ill South 13th St., Philadelphia, Pa. Washington, D. C. Macon, Ga. 116 South Michigan Ave., Chicago, Ill. 12 Otis Place, Boston, Mass. Ill South 13th St., Philadelphia, Pa. Northfield, Minn. Youngstown, Ohio 4 “Above all nations is Humanity .”—Plato PART 1 THE DAWN OF A NEW ERA IN HUMAN HISTORY 1. Steam and electricity are abolishing time and space and are making all nation* and races immediate neighbors geographically. 2. Science, popular education, travel, commerce, postal facilities, literature, and the press are bringing all mankind toward a common life and a common mind. Each nation and race nevertheless has and will continue to have its own special character¬ istics and endowments and each seems to become increasingly self-conscious, ambitious and determined. The conquest of the resources of nature is bringing undreamed wealth and luxury to its possessors. This has introduced a new rivalry, especially between those virile and advanced races which seek world-wide opportunity. 3. These conditions have produced an extraordinary intertwining of the interests and activities of the entire world and induced vast movements of population. Unpre¬ cedented occupation and development of new territories are taking place. 4. All these have reinforced the movement toward democracy. Opportunity, knowledge and power have come to the common man. The people are getting con¬ trol. Opposition to hereditary rule and special privilege are growing. These latter, however, seek to maintain their ancient place and power, resorting at times even to war in order to stem the rising tide against them. 5. Many conscious international efforts and movements have also taken place. Numberless international gatherings have been held and societies formed. Financial, cultural, educational, commercial and scientific agencies and facilities have been estab¬ lished, wonderfully knitting together the life of the peoples. 6. During recent decades important steps have been taken for closer political and governmental relations of the nations. Treaties of arbitration have been made, many serious difficulties have been settled by methods of arbitration and conciliation and plans for permanent international organization have been formulated and carried far along toward completion. 7 . In fine, there has been extraordinary preparation, physical, scientific, intel¬ lectual, moral and governmental for the new era in human history, an era in which the nations may maintain cordial and helpful relations, and settle their international problems by reason and adjustment rather than by resort to war. 8. On the other hand, vast problems are arising directly from these world tendencies. The rivalries of expanding nations in their dealings with the government, trade and economic development of politically backward nations and undeveloped regions, create problems of the gravest character. A new Asia, moreover, is rapidly coming into being determined, ambitious, self-conscious, equipped with the mechanical, political, social, and industrial devices and methods of the Occident and increasingly sensitive to rights invaded, to differential race legislation and to humiliating race dis¬ crimination by western people. 9. The Great War has shown that the leading nations were not so ready for the New Era, as had popularly been supposed. Suggested Scripture Readings Isa. 2, 2-4; 12-22; 9, 2-7. Micah 5, 10-15. Joel 3, 9-21. Rev. 21, 1; 10-12; 21-27. Topics for Discussion Compare conditions now and fifty or one hundred years ago—travel, mail, commerce, food, Luildings, communication, etc. 5 How far has the democratic ideal spread around the world since 1776? Europe? America? Asia? Since the close of the Napoleonic wars what efforts have been made to settle international difficulties by reason instead of war? With what successes? How does the new Asia (Japan, China, India) differ from Asia of 1800? What problems do these many changes bring to America? In the maintenance of our Democracy? In our treatment of the Negro? The Chinese? The Japanese? Latin America? "For all the law i> fulfilled in one word, even in this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself .”—Paul PART II FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF THE NEW ERA 1. The hope of a better future lies in establishing a new world-order in which the principles of universal justice and goodwill shall be embodied in the laws, institu¬ tions and customs that control the relations of nations. World peace can come only as the fruit and product of international righteousness. Peace is the outcome of justice, justice of law, law of political organization. The polit¬ ical organization of the world, therefore, is the first step to be taken toward the goal of peace. Nations as individuals should recognize the rights of others, render justice rather than demand rights, and find their greatness in good-will and service. 2. The establishment of this new world-order requires: (1) The abandonment of selfish nationalism with its secret diplomacy, its demoralizing spy system and its frank and brutal asser¬ tion of selfishness, of unlimited sovereignty, and of the right to override and destroy weak neighbors; and (2) The adoption of a higher nationalism and a nobler inter¬ nationalism which assert the familyhood of nations, the limitation of sovereignty and the right of all nations and races, small and great, to share in the world’s resources and in opportunity for self-direct¬ ing development and expanding life. The establishment of the new world order implies the substitution of the co-operative for the competitive theory and practice of nations. Suggested Scripture Readings Isa. 1, 10-20. Amos 1, 3—2, 16; 4, 1-12; 5,18-24. Matt. 5, 38-48. Luke 10, 25-37. Acts 10, 1-35. I Cor. 13, 1-13. Jas. 4, 1-4. Topics for Discussion What have been the fundamental ideas and principles of the past as to the rights and duties of nations and races? Consider their good features; their bad features. What changes must now be made? Consider how the mechanical progress of recent decades has brought dangers to every people. Just what are these dangers and how may they be overcome? How can World Sovereignty guarantee local sovereignty and security? Illustrate from the relations of the Federal to the State governments in America. Of the British Empire to its parts. Is this equallv true of the German and Russian Empires respectively to their parts? What must be the essential character of the World Sovereignty that will truly guarantee the restricted sovereignty of the parts? 6 “What we mean to propose is a general Congress of nations . . . Such a Congress and such a League are the only means of realizing the idea of a true public law .” — Kant PART III THE PRACTICAL PROGRAM OF THE NEW ERA Nations are in different stages of growth and decay. These lead to constantly changing relations with corresponding needs and demands for readjustments. In the past the most important of these readjustments have been reached by war. Any successful proposal, therefore, for a substitute for war must provide, not only for justice based upon existing conditions, but also for the readjustments inevitably demanded by virile and expanding peoples. Processes that are merely legal which do not make room for such readjustments cannot prevent wars. What is now needed is: (1) The attainment of substantial agreement among the na¬ tions as to the rights and duties of nations. (2) The formation of a League of Nations that desire to establish world-order, world-justice and world-peace. (3) The creation by the League of Nations of adequate agen¬ cies and processes, legislative, judicial and executive, for the attain¬ ment of justice. (4) The extension of the principle of democracy alike to the relations of nations and to the inner governmental processes of each nation providing thus for economic adjustment and social reform. (5) The cultivation of the spirit of goodwill largely through the agencies of schools, colleges, the press and the churches of every land, and by means of travel and trade. Suggested Scripture Readings Lev. 19, 9-17. Matt. 18, 15-18. Gal. 5, 13-16. Topics for Discussion What are the rights of nations? And do nations have duties other than those to their own people? If so, what? What is meant by anarchy? Has there ever been other than world anarchy? If a world government is established and maintained by the military might of one principal nation or group of nations, what will be its essential character? What must be the character, processes, and agencies of democratic World Government? How can it be set up? 7 “My first wish is to see this plague to mankind (war) banished from the earth—to see the whole world in peace and the inhabitants of it as one band of brothers striving who should contribute most to the happiness of mankind .”—Washington PART IV AMERICA’S OPPORTUNITY AND DUTY INFRINGING IN THE NEW ERA America has a unique opportunity and therefore responsibility for rendering important aid in abolishing war and in bringing in the new world-order. In rendering this service, the American government as well as the American people should be as active in promoting world organization and international goodwill as they are in pro¬ viding for national safety and prosperity. America should now promote: (A) National Education, (B) Domestic Legislation, and (C) International Organization. A. NATION-WIDE EDUCATION AND COLLECTIVE ACTION OF INDIVIDUAL CITIZENS: 1. The nation-wide education of American citizens must be secured in the principles of international rights and duties and of world organization. 2. Individual citizens who desire to do their part should join some group or society working for this end. If none already exists in their convenient vicinity let them take steps to form one. 3. All groups working for the New Era should be so related to each other through the national movement that at opportune times the collective and simultaneous action of millions of American citi¬ zens can be secured for the support of the President and of Congress in the needful legislation. B. DOMESTIC LEGISLATION BY CONGRESS: America should at once set her own house in order by enacting such legislation dealing with international relations as shall prove her sincerity in giving justice and in being helpful. Among America’s most pressing domestic problems are those of just, wise and kind treatment of immigrants, both European and Asiatic. Federal failure to protect European aliens in spite of treaty obligations has more than once been a cause of serious international tension. The relations of the United States with Asia are increasingly ominous. Our historic Asiatic policy of helpfulness is seriously marred by our contravention of treaties with China and disregard of the spirit of the treaties with Japan. These are chilling the friendship of those nations. Other phases of this great problem are the mutual relations of the United States and Latin America. Too seldom has the United States regarded the interests and viewpoint of Latin America. Congress should promptly: 1. Adopt a comprehensive policy and program for the regula¬ tion of immigration from every land, and for the Americanization of immigrants. Only so many immigrants should be admitted from any land as we can Americanize. All who are admitted should be given equal treatment and opportunity regardless of race. 2. Enact such laws as will enable the Federal Government to carry out its treaty pledges for the protection of aliens residing in the United States. 3. Adopt an Asiatic policy that recognizes the new world con¬ ditions now arising through the expanding life of the Orient. 4. Define more adequately the Monroe Doctrine and provide for a Pan-American Federation. 5. The President and Congress of the United States might well take the initiative in proposing, after the end of the war, the holding of the needed Conference of the Nations to deal with inter¬ national relations. C. PROMOTION OF INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION: The United States should lay before a conference of the nations at or soon after the close of the Great War proposals for: 1. A Declaration of the Fundamental Rights and Duties of Nations, the adoption of which declaration shall constitute the legal basis of international law. 2. The formation of a League of the Nations to support the principles of this declaration. 3. The creation by this League of the Nations of adequate agencies and processes, legislative, executive, judicial, for the attainment of international justice. Suggested Scripture Readings Micah 4, 1-5; 6, 1-8. Hosea 6, 4-6; 14, 9. Matt. 7, 1-5, 15-23. I Cor. 12, 12-26. Topics for Discussion What part may and should individual citizens take in establishing the new world-order? What more may they do beyond the suggestionsof the text? What suggestion has Hon. William H. Taft made for legislation for the adequate protection of aliens? cf. The United States and Peace, p. 44. What are Dr. Gulick’s proposals as to comprehensive immigration legislation? cf. “America and the Orient.” Is a Pan-American Federation or Judicial Union desirable? Practicable? Are the United States ready to enter a world league of nations to establish world govern¬ ment? AN IMPORTANT ACT OF CONGRESS Especial attention is called to the action of Congress in appending to the Naval Appropriation Bill for the coming fiscal year (approved by the President August 29, 1916) a section declaring it to be the policy of the United States to “settle its international disputes through mediation or arbitra¬ tion, to the end that war may be honorably avoided.” The United States “looks with apprehension and disfavor upon a general increase of armaments throughout the world.” The President is accordingly authorized: 1. To “call a Conference of all great Governments” not later than the close of the war, whose duty it shall be (a) To formulate plans for the establishment of a world tribunal for the peaceful settlement of international disputes, and (b) To consider the question of disarmament. 2. To appoint nine Americans “to represent the United States in such a Conference.” 3. To suspend further building of the navy, when such international tribunal shall have been established and rendered unnecessary the maintenance of competitive armaments. Congress also appropriated $200,000 for the expenses of such a Conference. In view of this splendid act, the people of the United States should so express their endorsement of these proposals that the President may know that he has the entire nation behind him in carry¬ ing them out, - 9 HELPFUL LITERATURE 1. A splendid course of thirteen Sunday school lessons has been especially prepared for young people and adults by the Commission on Christian Education of the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America, 105 East 22nd Street, New York, with the title: International Peace, Norman E. Richardson. 5 cents each; $5.00 per hundred. 2. Two pamphlet study courses by Mrs. Lucia Ames Mead are particularly fine, entitled: A Primer of the Peace Movement, American Peace Society, Washington, D. C. $.10 each; $5.00 per hundred. Lessons on War and Peace, World Peace Foundation, Boston. Single copies free. 3. Every class studying the New Era and problems of world organization should possess: The Fight for Peace, Sidney L. Gulick. Federal Council of Churches. Cloth, $.50; paper, $.25. Selected Quotations on Peace and War, Federal Council of Churches, 105 East 22nd Street, New York. $1.00. Here are given the best utterances of nearly 200 leaders of thought. This single volume will take the place of a large peace library. Every man and woman in America should read the classic by the late Professor William James, entitled: The Moral Equivalent of War, American Assoc, for Intern. Conciliation, 407 W. 117th St., New York. Free. Other recent important books dealing with these questions from the ethical viewpoint are: What Makes a Nation Great? Frederick Lynch. Revell, New York. $.75. The Christian Equivalent of War, D. W. Lyon. Young Men’s Christian Association. $.50. New Wars for Old, John Haynes Holmes. Dodd, Mead & Co., New York. $1.50. Christianity and International Peace, Charles E. Jefferson. Crowell & Co., New York. $1.25. What the War is Teaching, Charles E. Jefferson. Revell, New York. $1.00. Ethics of Force, H. E. Warner. World Peace Foundation, Boston. $.55. The Forks of the Road, Washington Gladden. Macmillan, New York. $.50. History as Past Ethics, P. V. N. Myers. Ginn & Co., Boston. $1.50. World Missions and World Peace, Caroline A. Mason. M. H. Leavis, West Medford, Mass. $.50 and $.30. 4. For those desiring a more detailed study of the peace problem from various practical standpoints, the following books are suggested: The Great Illusion, Norman Angell. Putnam’s Sons, New York. $2.25. War and the Breed, David Starr Jordan. Beacon Press, Boston. $1.25. War and Its Benefits, Jacques Novicow. Hall & Co., New York. $1.00. Nationalism, War and Society, Edward Krehbiel. Macmillan, New York. $1.00. Social Progress and the Darwinian Theory, Geo. W. Nasmyth. Putnam’s Sons, New York. $1.50. Fear God and Take Your Own Part, Theodore Roosevelt. Doran, New York. $1.50. Dangers of Half Preparedness, Norman Angell. Putnam’s Sons, New York. $.50. Preparedness, William I. Hull. Revell, New York. $1.25. 5. The European war has prompted the discussion of conditions for assuring durable peace. Many important volumes deal with these questions. The following are recommended: Toward International Government, John A. Hobson. Macmillan, New York. $1.00. International Government, Theodore Woolf. Brentano, New York. $2.00. The Restoration of Europe, Alfred H. Fried. Macmillan, New York. $1.00. War and World Government, Frank Crane. John Lane Co.. New York. $1.00. The Ways to Lasting Peace, David Starr Jordan. Bobbs, Merril & Co., Indianapolis, Ind. $.75. League to Enforce Peace. Addresses. 70 Fifth Avenue, New York. $.50. The Great Solution, Henri La Fontaine. World Peace Foundation, Boston. $1.25. The Western Hemisphere in the World of To-morrow, Franklin H. Giddins. Revell, New York. $.35. The Stakes of Diplomacy, Walter Lippman. Henry Holt & Co., New York. $1.25. 6. The country with which war is widely thought to be more or less probable in the near future is Japan. The essential facts, therefore, of America’s Oriental problem should be care¬ fully studied by every class that would really understand America’s international relations and seek for methods of solution. For the briefest statement of America’s Oriental problem, pam¬ phlets by Dr. Sidney L. Gulick, entitled, Asia’s Appeal to America, A Comprehensive Immigra¬ tion Policy and Program, and The Pacific Coast and the New Oriental Policy, may be secured from the Federal Council of Churches. 5 cents each; $4.00 per hundred, postpaid. For a more thorough study of these questions four volumes are recommended: China, Bishop J. W. Bashford. Chapters XVI-XVIII. The Abingdon Press, New York. Net $2.50. The Japanese Crisis, James A. B. Scherer. F. A. Stokes & Co., New York. $.75. The American Japanese Problem, Sidney L. Gulick. Scribner’s Sons, New York. $1.75. America and the Orient, A Constructive Policy, Sidney L. Gulick. Missionary Education Movement, 156 Fifth Avenue, New York. $.25. io Return this Petition Signed to the World Alliance for International Friendship, 10S East 22d Street, New York, before May, 1917 DATE A PETITION TO THE PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS OF THE U. S. A. BY Those Who Believe in the Principles of the New Internationalism Whereas, Mankind has to-day an unparalleled opportunity for the reconstruction of international relations and the establishment of a new world-order, in which universal justice, helpfulness and goodwill should be embodied in the laws, institutions and customs that control international life; and Whereas, Congress has authorized the President to call a Conference of all the great Governments to plan for world peace and disarmament; and Whereas, If America is to contribute her share in establishing world peace based upon justice and good¬ will she should at once set right her own laws dealing with aliens; Therefore, We, the undersigned citizens of the United States, respectfully petition: A. Congress to enact at an early date laws providing for 1. Proper Federal Protection for Aliens. » 2. A Comprehensive Immigration and Americanization Policy and Program. 3. An Asiatic Policy that recognizes the new conditions in Japan and China. B. The President to call at the right time the Conference of the Great Governments and to submit to it for consideration and action proposals for: 1. A Declaration of the Fundamental Rights and Duties of Nations. 2. A League of the Nations, to support the Principles of this Declaration, with International Periodic Conferences, an International Supreme Court and International Boards of Con¬ ciliation. C. The President to call a Conference of Latin-American countries to take steps for the establishment of a Pan-American Federation. NAME ADDRESS State City Street Paste on additional sheets for Signatures - ) Return thU Petition Signed to the World Alliance for International Friendship, 105 East 22d Street, New York, before May, 1917 A PETITION TO THE PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS OF THE U. S. A. BY Those Who Believe in the Principles of the New Internationalism Whereas, Mankind has to-day an unparalleled opportunity for the reconstruction of international relations and the establishment of a new world-order, in which universal justice, helpfulness and goodwill should be embodied in the laws, institutions and customs that control international life; and Whereas, Congress has authorized the President to call a Conference of all the great Governments to plan for world peace and disarmament; and Whereas, If America is to contribute her share in establishing world peace based upon justice and good¬ will she should at once set right her own laws dealing with aliens; , Therefore, We, the undersigned citizens of the United States, respectfully petition: A. Congress to enact at an early date laws providing for: 1. Proper Federal Protection for Aliens. 2. A Comprehensive Immigration and Americanization Policy and Program. 3. An Asiatic Policy that recognizes the new conditions in Japan and China. B. The President to call at the right time the Conference of the Great Governments and to submit to it for consideration and action proposals for: 1. A Declaration of the Fundamental Rights and Duties of Nations. 2. A League of the Nations, to support the Principles of this Declaration, with International Periodic Conferences, an International Supreme Court and International Boards of Con¬ ciliation. C. The President to call a Conferenee of Latin-American countries to take steps for the establishment of a Pan-American Federation. DATE NAME ADDRESS State City Street Paste on additional sheets for Signatures This pamphlet 5 cents each or $4.00 per hundred