Washington and the Hope of Peace

This is the annotated edition including the rare biographical essay by Edwin E. Slosson called 'H. G. Wells - A Major Prophet Of His Time'. Mr. H. G. Wells's book contains his newspaper letters on the Washington conference, reprinted with little change. His disappointment because Germany and Russia were not there, his apparent regret at the failure of the delegates to bring on the brotherhood of man by resolution, are indicated here, as they were day by day in the World and other newspapers. He is persuasive and appealing in his good wishes for the world, and I am less stirred by his internationalism, impractical as' it may be, than by his readiness to get angry with France. It is easy for an Englishman, and extremely easy for an American, to accuse France of being frightened, and of being suspicious of Germany. I can too easily imagine the state of American nerves if Germany, instead of Canada, were our neighbor, and if northern New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine were now lying desolate and ravaged by the work of 'Hans,' for whom Mr. Wells sheds such tender tears. The extreme patience with which the admirers of Mr. Wells's political philosophy treated Germany would now be well extended to France- where it is even less needed. To be ready to shake hands with your fallen foe is a noble trait, but I am aware of no reason for hitting your friend in the eye with your elbow at the same time.