WOMEN AND THE WORLD’S PEACE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3556, 22 June 1912, Page 4

WOMEN AND THE WORLD’S PEACE.

THE THREATENING CATACLYSM

"Hopefully we European peace workers look across the Atlantic to aid us in preventing a general war in Europe, the danger of which is greater, perhaps, than in many years. This was the statement made m Vienna last month by Baroness Bertha Von. Suttner, Europe’s leading peace propagandist, who is starting now for New York to tour the United States under the auspices of the Federated Women’s Clubs of America. “I particularly, as a woman,” continued the baroness, “have great faith in the power of the federated organised American women, and from the new world help will be brought to the old through examples, deeds, and support.” For more than 20 years Baroness Von Suttner has been the foremost worker in Europe for arbitration. She was the first president of the International Peace Society, and won the Nobel prize in 1905. She is now over 00 years old, but still is in indefatigable worker for. the peace cause.

“You ask what this feverish preparation for war by every European nation means?” asked the baroness. “Is Europe on the brink of a general war? It would I?eem so. Why else this insane rivalry of armaments? If not, then why this restless increasing of armies and fleets?’’ Baroness Von Suttner dwelt on the war between Italy and Turkey; the restlessness in the Balkans; the fear of a move by Russia against Turkey in Persia and a grab in China; tension between Austria and Italy; Austria’s announcement of a greater navy; the bitterness between Germany and Great Britain.; the prospect of a tremen- <’ us increase in Germany’s army, and ' -nee’s determination quickly to ■-u ! the greatest aerial war fleet In. to. vorld.

"Yes,” she said, “the danger of war is great. It -comes from ‘militarism.’ Press, .parliaments, everything is under the ban of military tradition. Added to this are the powerful influences of interested .industrial circles for; which every real or created war cloud is the best kind of business advertisement.”

Despite all this, declared Baroness Von Suttner, thero is an ever-grow-ing longing for peace among the working .classes—the common peoplewho havo not yet made their power for peace felt,” she added, “capitalism—wealth immeasurable, the royal courts, tlio judiciary, the great political men, the press, all are on the side of the military systems, and tliese are threatening a catastrophe for Europe that will set civilisation back a century.