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Peacemakers—Blessed and Otherwise

by Ida M. Tarbell (1857–1944)

  • Free to read
  • 2 hours to read
  • 12 chapters
  • Reading level: 8th & 9th grade

"Peacemakers—Blessed and Otherwise" by Ida M. Tarbell is an observational account written in the early 20th century, specifically in the post-World War I context of the early 1920s. The book offers reflections and critiques on the Washington Conference on the Limitation of Armament, examining the hopes and realities surrounding international diplomacy aimed at preventing future conflicts. Tarbell's analysis focuses on the complexities of disarmament discussions and the emotional weight of negotiating peace among newly aligned nations. The opening of the book introduces the author's keen observations leading up to the conference, highlighting the contrasting emotions of hope and skepticism surrounding its potential. Tarbell paints a picture of the public sentiment, with some anticipating broad disarmament, while others express doubt about the efficacy of such international gatherings. She delves into the intricacies of the limitations on armament, discussing the various agendas and the personal interactions of delegates, foreshadowing the challenges and 'irritations' that the conference will face. With insight into the collective mindset of both leaders and civilians, Tarbell sets the stage for a detailed exposition on the dynamics of diplomacy and the human condition at this pivotal moment in history.

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  • Conference on the Limitation of Armament (1921-1922 : Washington, D.C.)
  • World politics · 1900-1945
  • Disarmament · Congresses

Read the opening

Chapter I: Pre-Conference Reflections

When one attempts to set down, with any degree of candor, his impressions of a great gathering like the Conference on the Limitation of Armament, he will find himself swayed from amusement to irritation, from hope to despair, from an interest in the great end to an interest in the game as it is being played. My hopes and interests and irritations over the Washington Conference began weeks before it was called. What could it do? All around me men and women were saying, “It will end war,” and possibly—so deep was the demand in them that war be ended—believing what they said. It has always been one of the singular delusions of people with high hopes that if nations disarmed there could be no wars. Take the gun away from the child and he will never hurt himself. If it were so easy!

Their confidence alarmed the authors of the Conference. They did not mean disarmament, but limitation of armament. Moreover it was not even a Conference for but one on limitation. This was equivalent to saying that there were other matters involved in cutting down arms—the causes that had brought them into being in the first place, the belief that only in them was security, and that if you were to do away with them you must find a substitute, and a way to make this substitute continually effective. That is, there were several problems for the Conference to solve if they were to put a limit to armaments, and they were not easy problems. But those who kept their eyes on disarmament, pure and simple, refused to face them.

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Contents

  1. Foreword
  2. Chapter I: Pre-Conference Reflections
  3. Chapter II: Armistice Day
  4. Chapter III: November 12, 1921
  5. Chapter IV: The French at the Conference
  6. Chapter V: The Paris Shrine of Our Lady of Hates
  7. Chapter VI: Why Did He Do It?
  8. Chapter VII: Dramatic Diplomacy
  9. Chapter VIII: The Moods of an International Conference
  10. Chapter IX: Put Yourself in Their Places
  11. Chapter X: China at the Conference
  12. Chapter XI: The Measure of the Washington Conference

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About this edition

This free edition of Peacemakers—Blessed and Otherwise by Ida M. Tarbell comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #54680, released 2017-05-07. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: History - Modern (1750+), Politics.

Summary provided by Project Gutenberg (automatically generated).

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