The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1878-06-15
THE PACIFIC
SATURDAY, JUNE 10.
Science and Commerce as Peacemakers

CCACACc dAN OOMul6TCe as F6dc6nakSTS
There are two and only two great interest
which, in the progress of mankind toward civil
cation, have proved themselves to be oYerWhelm
ing on the side of peace, namely, Commerce anC
Science. And to the Development of these We
must look for the final suspension of warfare,
If the reign of universal peace shall ever dawn
upon earth. 1t is true that religion claims to be
the p~eacemaker but history shows it to be
rather a stirrer up of strife. 1t is not until men
cease to regard religion as the first of human in
terests, not until they become comparatively IN
different toward it, indeed, that they cease to
fight about it.
The influence of ommerc as a preventive oil
war Is more direct and tangible. To the COM
nercial mind the leading question touching any
course of action is, Will it pay? And the ex-
perienGe of mankind is, on the whole, that, COM
mercIally considered, war does not paw. Partic
ularly is this true when the commercial relations
OF the contestants are at all close. Besides, COM
merce makes for peace by multiplying channels
OF friendly intercourse, by removing national
preJrdlces and by increasing the mutual interde-
pendence Of nations.
The peace promoting influence Of commerce
can be clearly seen in the recent history of the
relations OF this country with England. We have
had disputes in abundance, and, according to
non-commercial standards, plenty of occasion for
an appeal to arms. But our commercial relations
have been so intimate and extensive that we
coulu hot anord to go to war consequently our
difficulties have been honorably settled by arbi-
tration or other peaceful means.
1t is equally clear that the commercial interests
OF England have been the chief restraining force in
that country during the recent Oriental trouble.
Both the ruling class and the rabble have been
eager for war but the prudent, practical. COM
merclal element has carried the day for peace.
ana we may set 1t down as an axiom IN social
science that as the commercial intercourse and
mutual QeDeOQence of M tiOnS iporaoSa tbo;. IL,
position TO go to war with each other will de-
crease. With such nations the prosperity of the
people outWelghs dynastic pride or imperial am
bltIon. The people say, g War will not paw: let
US have none OF 1t y and more and more in the
world the will of the people rules.
As the great ally and handspring of commerce
science plays an important role as national peace
maker but its chief influence comes through its
service IN making war more and more terrible
ana destructive, on the one hand, and. on the
other, IN making it less and less a matter of in
dIyIdual heroIsm and brute force. 1t is a COM
mon remark that the history of military art is
simply the record of inventions enabling men to
kill each other with ever increasing ease and
sWlttness. And the latest inventions have been
the most marvellous In their capacity for killing.
there is small chance for glory on the battlefield
now and every new invention helps to reduce |
battles more and more to the level of sbambles.
The question is, will not this line of PROGRESS
III A%hiiS d wv HOEIlDlG 10 De COler- |
.ted? 1t must be apparent before long that no
end attaInable through fighting can be worth the
necessary to gain it through or in spite
of such destructive agencies.
Besides, may it not be possible for inventors 10
engines OF destruction, so awful in their
scope ana SO irresistible in their power, that the
mere assembling of masses of men for offensive
purposes may be made too hazardous to be at
-empted ?-engines by means of which a CITY or
In army, however protected by Notifications,
nay be destroyed without possibility of escape?
we have seen of late years how one branch of
warfare has been practically suspended by the
OF invention. In their desire to COM
'ete with the naval power of England the gov
OF Europe have for the past quarter of
century put forth their strongest efforts to
ring the science of offensive and defensive naval
to perfection, and England's counter
nOrt TO maintain the supremacy of her fleet have
aiieu out the utmost energies of her inventors
no builders. Yet the result seems to be to make
great naval battle no longer a possibility. Dur
1g the tranco-German war the second best navy
q the world could do nothing. During the war
list ended the splendid feet of Turkey, Offered
y Englshmen, has been little better than use-
'ss. And with all our Joy at the termination of
nat conhlct, we cannot repress a shadowy re-
ret that no opportunity was offered to remove
ne uncertainty as to whether the English sbins
ould have got out of the Sea of Marmora if anv
ne had chosen to stop them. 1t might be worth
small war to have the status of iron-clads def
.tely determined. As things stand their utility
wholly a matter OF conjecture.
80 much for invention in naval warfare. The
'rpedo has been the great peacemaker. And il
quite possible that the torpedo system NAV nj 7
perform the same war restraining Office !
l land. Surely science and ingenuity are cana
G OF creating an aerial torpedo boat as efficient
the water t%orpedoes are. And then. who will
ire to 60 to war? Let us imagine an aerial
rpedo carrier could be navigated by electricity
om the ground or from another ship kent be- n
ND the reach of destructive missiles a deadly l
achlne that could be made to hover over an al.
citing army or a beleagured town and rain unon =
explosive shells of the most destructive sort. b
5alnst a teet of such engines, what city couId -
what fleet or army could gather for often \
purposes? All the usual machinery of war q
be useless, and war as we understand II
'uld be impossible. As the sea tornedo has
lde an end of naval battles, SO the air tornedo
put a stop to battles on land. And inst
through increasing civilization, men are learn =,
more and more to put their trust, not on ner- -
lai proves or elaborate armament. for the
OF their personal disputes, but in
IRIS OF law, so nations must learn to snhmit IN
II qGarrels to international courts of arbitra- "
j. In perfectlng firearms, science is likely m
an end to individual dueling. In like man II
> by pertecting means of wholesale killing
nee IS likely to put an end to national dueI,
Inc most efficient agent of the (unoroan-
Universal Peace Society of the future will cE
ne who shall invent the best aerial tornedo
'ier.-Scientifc american. P