Chapter 327 326 [War and Peace]

Along the way, Alan Bart kept watching Zhou Hexuan behind him secretly through the rearview mirror, as if there were flowers on his face.

After arriving at Columbia University, Alan Bart and Sun Yongzhen waited in the car, while Zhang Pengchun took Zhou Hexuan directly to the principal's office.

At this time, the president of Columbia University was Nicholas Murray Butler. He was bald and white-haired, even his beard was white. Although he was old, he was very strong. He seemed to know Zhang Pengchun very well, and smiled and gave a bear hug: "Zhang, we meet again."

"Hi principal!" Zhang Pengchun said respectfully.

Zhang Pengchun graduated from the Columbia Institute of Education (Master) in his early years, and Butler happened to be the founder of this institute.

The exchanges between the two did not stop there. Butler was also the chairman of the "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace" and the chairman of the "American Branch of the International Mediation Committee". He served as an adviser to seven US presidents in his life. He often pays attention to Asian and African affairs, especially China's news, and will receive the Nobel Peace Prize two years later.

And Zhang Pengchun, together with Hu Shi and John Dewey, founded the "China Institute" in Manhattan to enhance mutual understanding between the Chinese and American people through cultural and educational exchanges. Columbia University’s invitation to give lectures in the United States this time is based on the efforts of the China Institute, the only influential non-governmental exchange organization between the two countries.

Butler's understanding of China was obviously greatly influenced by Zhang Pengchun.

Butler looked at Zhou Hexuan, smiled and shook hands and said, "This is Mr. Zhou, right?"

Zhang Pengchun introduced: "Mr. Zhou, this is Mr. Nicholas Murray Butler, President of Columbia University."

"Hello, Mr. Barrett." Zhou Hexuan greeted.

After exchanging pleasantries, the three of them sat down respectively.

Butler smiled and said, "Mr. Zhou, can you tell me in detail about the war that happened in Northeast China?"

Zhou Hexuan was taken aback for a moment. He didn't expect Butler to ask about the Middle East Road incident instead of talking about the stock market crash and economic crisis.

In fact, the reason is very simple. Butler is an anti-war activist. The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace he chairs is very concerned about wars in Africa and Asia, and Zhou Hexuan is closer to Zhang Xueliang.

As for why Butler knew that Zhou Hexuan and Zhang Xueliang had a close personal relationship, Zhang Pengchun must have said it.

Zhou Hexuan asked: "Do you want to hear the specific process, or my evaluation of this war?"

"I want to know the details so I can evaluate it," Butler said.

"Then we have to start from the Qing Dynasty in China..." Zhou Hexuan began to tell the history of Tsarist Russia's invasion of China.

Butler knew about these histories, but he didn't interrupt impatiently, but listened to Zhou Hexuan's talk from the late Qing Dynasty to the present. Especially the current situation in Northeast China after Zhang Xueliang took over, Butler listened very carefully.

Regarding the incident on the Middle East Road, Zhou Hexuan seemed very helpless. The reason why he didn't stay by Zhang Xueliang's side to persuade him was not only that he wanted to come to the United States to make a fortune, but also because Zhang Xueliang would not listen to the persuasion.

Zhang Xueliang's personality is very contradictory, indecisive and resolute, no one can persuade him to do what he decides.

Before the incident on the Middle East Road broke out, not only Zhou Hexuan but also Zhang Zuoxiang tried to persuade him, but to no avail. Even if Zhou Hexuan stayed by Zhang Xueliang's side all day, it would be useless, because he had already made a decision in his heart.

To sum it up, Zhang Xueliang was impulsive and resolute when making major early decisions, but he became indecisive when he needed to solve specific difficulties. This is true of the Dongdong Road incident, the September 18th Incident, and the Xi’an Incident, and it has never changed.

To use the metaphor of playing LOL, it is very determined to start a team, but it is very bad to play a team.

After listening to Zhou Hexuan's detailed narration, Barrett did not express any opinions, but asked: "In Mr. Zhou's view, how to achieve peace in the Far East?"

Zhou Hexuan did not answer, but asked with a smile: "Does Mr. Butler love peace?"

"Of course, I hope there will never be war in the world," Butler said.

Zhou Hexuan asked a question: "But if a country is enslaved by many countries, then should this country rise up and fight to win dignity and equality through war, or should it endure humiliation and enjoy peace?"

"Well..." Butler was suddenly at a loss for words, and after thinking carefully, he said, "It's best to solve the problem through peaceful means."

Zhou Hexuan asked with a smile: "In the United States back then, if there had been no War of Independence, would the British colonists have given up their privileges peacefully?"

Butler shook his head and said, "No."

Zhou Hexuan said: "For Chinese patriots, war is just a means, and peace is the goal. I know that the Western society is very opposed to this Middle East Road war, thinking that General Zhang Xueliang took the initiative to provoke the war. But I firmly support Zhang Xueliang. The general took back the Middle East Road, but his strategy was flawed, so the ending is regrettable."

Barrett disagreed with Zhou Hexuan's point of view: "With all due respect, China is a weak country. It is actually a disadvantage to use war to solve problems. Only through peaceful means can we gain independence step by step. I and other countries' anti-war People are trying to formulate a set of international rules, and hope that future international disputes can be resolved by peaceful means."

Last year, Butler promoted a "Abolition of War Pact" (full name is "General Treaty on Abandoning War as a National Policy Tool"), which was signed by not only the United Kingdom, the United States, France and other countries, but also Japan, Germany, and the Soviet Union. organize.

Later, in the Tokyo Trial, when the International Tribunal judged Japan's war crimes, the Amendment Convention became an important legal basis.

Before Zhou Hexuan came to Columbia University, he specifically asked about Butler's deeds. He said sincerely: "Mr. Butler, I personally agree with the Non-War Convention you promoted. But to be honest, it is a piece of waste paper that has no binding force on certain countries, such as Japan and the Soviet Union. In this Middle East Road incident, the Chinese army only took back its due rights and did not harm the lives of the Soviets. On the contrary, the Soviet Union took the initiative to cross the border to attack China. so what?"

Butler said: "This is exactly why I asked you about the incident on the Middle East Road. We are investigating the matter and will condemn and sanction the unreasonable party."

"How to sanction?" Zhou Hexuan felt like he was listening to a joke.

Barrett said: "If China also signed the AUTO, then the League of Nations will make a decision on this. Unfortunately, China has not yet joined the AUTO."

Zhou Hexuan felt powerless to talk to this old man. The other party was indeed an anti-war person, but it seemed to have no effect other than talking about it.

The Non-War Convention is indeed an important legal basis for the trial of Japanese war criminals, but it will not take effect until after the war is over. If Japan is the victorious country, it will be judged a ghost, everything must rely on strength to speak.

Of course, international public opinion is still very important.

Zhou Hexuan took the initiative to say: "Mr. Butler, I think the non-war treaty organization should pay the most attention to Japan. According to my friends in Japan, the militaristic thinking in Japan is rampant now. Both the government and the people are clamoring to invade China by force. .”

Butler said: "If the investigation is true, I will report the situation to the League of Nations. Japan is a very troublesome country. They always don't follow the rules, and the League of Nations is powerless."

Zhou Hexuan said with a smile: "Then let's talk about school cooperation. I hope that Columbia University can reach an academic exchange cooperation with China's Peking University and recruit two full-scholarship international students from Peking University every year."

"Of course," Ballett nodded, "but in return, Mr. Zhou, you must come to Columbia University for academic exchange at least once a year."

"Then it's settled." Zhou Hexuan said happily. He now has a deep relationship with Peking University and Tsinghua University. Tsinghua University belongs to the rich and handsome, and they have their own American partner schools. On the contrary, Peking University needs to help.

Butler said: "Then I will help Mr. Zhou arrange an academic exchange meeting and an academic lecture."

Zhou Hexuan said very self-aware: "Academic exchanges and lectures are limited to history and sociology. I don't have much research in the field of economics."

"No problem," Barrett stretched out his hand despite some regrets, "Have a nice cooperation!"

"Happy cooperation!" Zhou Hexuan shook hands with him and said.