War on War

For the second time 5,000,000 members of leading U.S. women's clubs last week sent delegates to Washington for a Conference on the Cause and Cure of War. The aim was not to cause, then cure, but to investigate the cause and if possible to cure. The delegates were under the able marshalship of white-haired Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, still, at 67, the nation's chief feminist. Certain more or less prominent male publicists were asked to speak.

At the second session Mrs. Catt epigrammed: "I certainly think it should be made as easy to pass a peace measure as to adopt a war measure. Why should a two-thirds vote be required for peace, and a majority for war?" Mrs. Rufus C. Dawes, sister-in-law of the Vice President, suggested selecting the Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee on qualification rather than seniority;* was told satirically (by Denis P. Meyer, Librarian, World Peace Foundation) that "in view of the material available the method of appointment would not greatly matter."

Thus far harmony, if disillusion. But a brisk passage of arms crackled when Carleton Beals, one-time Principal of the American High School, Mexico City, charged the U.S. with constant graft and aggrandizement in Mexico, ending by claiming that onetime (1909-13) U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Henry Lane Wilson received 50,000 pesos a year from Diaz, and demanded a like sum from Madero, "to help support the American Embassy." At this, Mrs. Dawes rose (out of order) from her seat, and in a voice trembling with emotion declared: "I think we have struck the very lowest note of the week listening to charges of bribery and corruption against men not present here to defend themselves."

Mr. Beals replied that he had thought he was addressing adult intelligences. Mrs. Dawes left the room. Mr. Beals stated that proof of his charge would soon be offered by the Mexican Government.

Conflicting views having left the delegates, at adjournment, in some confusion of mind, a committee on foreign policy was appointed, with impressive subdivisions, to report at the next Conference, January 1928.

* The present chairman, William E. Borah, is regarded by many as the ablest man in the Senate.