ry two distinct will-powers have been
noticed that would seem to be the opposing elemental manifestations of
the spirit of our globe, one seeking only evil, injustice, tyranny,
suffering, the other strives for liberty, right, radiance, joy. These
two powers stand once again face to face. Our opportunity is to
annihilate the one that comes from below. Let us know how to be pitiless
that we have no more need for pity. It is the measures of organic
defense--it is essential that the modern world should stamp out Prussian
militarism as it would stamp out a poisonous fungus that for half a
century had poisoned its days. The health of our planet is the question.
Tomorrow the United States and Europe will have to take measures for the
convalescence of the earth.

*Letters to Dr. Nicholas Murray Butler*

*By Baron d'Estournelles de Constant.*

_Dr. Nicholas Murray Butler, President of Columbia University, has
permitted_ THE NEW YORK TIMES _to have the extracts printed
herewith from letters sent to him since the beginning of the war by
Baron d'Estournelles de Constant, Senator of France, and Member of
the International Court at The Hague._

*First Letter.*

PARIS, Aug. 15, 1914.--* * * Today I am full of grief to feel myself
impotent before the murderous conflicts now going on in Belgium and at a
number of points on our northern and eastern frontiers, while awaiting
the great battles and hecatombs which will follow; my thought is full of
these terrible calamities willfully brought about; so many precious
lives already wiped out or soon to be; so much avoidable mourning which
one neither can nor wishes now to avoid!

In France there is not a single family which has not given without
hesitation all its children of military age to fight for the repulse of
the invader. All the men from Creans, of ages 20 to 48 years, have gone,
with one exception, and he is now going; and meanwhile no work has
ceased because of their absence. In all the communes, in all the hamlets
of the whole of France, the women, the children, and the men over 48
have assumed all duties, in particular the gathering of the harvests,
which I see already finished as in normal times. * * *

When one thinks that Servia alone, even though exhausted by two
atrocious wars, is sufficient to hold in check imperial Austria; when
one sees Italy remain neutral, and in reality hostile to Austria, and
Russia open slowly, inexorably, her