27 JANUARY 1917, Page 2

We hate to break in upon this noble dream, but

we are obliged to point out that the President is =rah too optimistic in thinking that it is always taken for granted that there is to ao a definite .Qoncert of the Powers, or that if there, is such a definite Concert, the " Wholly," if not Holy, Alliance will be able .to render war im- . passible. " Every lover of mankind, every sane and thoughtful . man. must take that for granted," says the President. Alas all that it is possible to affirm is that " every lover of mankind, every sane and thoughtful man," earnestly desires that it should some day be possible to take that for granted. At present such a man deeply regrets that it cannot be taken for granted. History, the nature of human beings, the love of liberty and independence, the passion, and, as we take leave to say, the noble passion, of democracy alike forbid. Further, as we shall see later in the address, they are at this very moment forbidding " the sane and thoughtful lover of mankind " who dwells in the White House, when he oomes to contemplate action, to take for granted what he so lightly accepts in his exordium.