The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-10-24
WOULDHAVE END OFWAR
Prominent Friends Meet Toward the
FurtheranceOf Peace Among Nations.
large Gathering at Roberts Park Church
Notable Address by DR.. Benjamin True
blOOd-Progress of Arbitration.

hODeTts Tark Snurcn was crOWQeQ last
night, on the occasion of the public ad-
dress under auspices of the Friends Peace
Society, which is now in session In this
city. The speaker was Benjamin True
blood. ID. D.. of Boston. formerly president
of Penn College, Iowa. He is now EN- gagged
wholly In the work of the peace associa-
tion. Richard Ii. Thomas, president of the
association, was not able to be present TO
preside, owing 10 ILLNESS, and DR.. Van
Anda took charge of the meeting. Prayer
was offered by Daniel Hill. of Richmond.
editor Of q publication devoted to peace.
an the choir rendered its usual service.
Dr. Trueblood's work required him to
visit the old world last summer a dele
gate to tho annual convention of the Inter.
national Society of Peace. He utilized the
opportunitysto investigate the sys-
TENS of Europe, and their effect upon che
social, national and spiritual life of the
continental nations. Treating first of the
visible evidences of warlike temperament
peryading the nations he described TO tho
congregation, in an interesting way. the
nature of the weapons of war. He
said the rifle balls are made of
mixture of three metals. and
can be thrown one and two-t thirds mile
with effect fatal to life. Even then, though
they struck against an iron wall, they could
be used again, so little effect would the
are not made. he said, TO kill people nearly
two miles off, but to kill five or SIX in line
at time. While in Paris he visited the Y.
NJ. &. A.. at the secretary's request. and adj
peace. The secretary had declared he stood
firm for peace. but, when on visit few
weeks later, he found the secretary had
been conscripted. and was about TO leave
for three years in the field, which il
reQu red of each male citizen. oh"
DIR. .Trueblood, had said to the secretary, q
Christian man, as he verify believes. you
do not seem to be wearing garments of
peace"
NO." replied the secretary. but the best
way to preserve peace Is to prepare for
war;"
And then the young soldier. at the speak
er's request. described how to use the four.
bladed bayonet. THAT bayonet." said the
secretary, now soldier. makes every
wound as good as death by the slight twist
we are taught TO give ir rs 1t enters tho
flesh. The wound will no. suppurate"
DIR. Trueblood then showed the power OF
the Krupp long-rsnge guns. which
are of fatal use in bombarding
cities. which cannot be defended against
them. Tho first bomb thrown into Paris
In the FrancO-German war killed seven
little girls in boarding-school. And the
blood of those girls" said the speaker,
seems TO cry ont still for vengeance, and
fans the french hatred against the Ger.
mans" The speaker then argued that If
this vengeful spirit is wrong. then war Is
wrong, for war canses such horrible, inoi-
dents. The torpedo boat was also aGverted
to. When these were first introduced, said
DIR. Irueblood, the bishops and
church leaders said they were diabol-
| ical and must put al end TO
war by their awful destructIveness.
| But wars still rage. IL IL is right to kill
| one it Is right to kill by thousands or
| millions.
DR.. Trueblood instanced the war debts as
another feature of evil In the trail of war.
| Europe. he says. owes $4,000 600 600 spent
| to carry on armies ead wars. Ii Is a debt
unrighteously saddlcd on generations OF
| centuries hence. If these shall say. This
money was borrowed through no volition
| OF ours aud In no way tor our good and
| should repudiate the debt the ethics OF
such Reputation. said the speaker. would
| be very delicate question.
| he next discussed the conscriptive sys-
tenn. Ii had sprung first In one country and
then Others IN self defense until now only.
| England. of all the western old world. has
no conservative system. In France only
the son of a widowed mother is exempt.
| Priests and preachers rsed TO be exempt,
but there were SO many becoming priests
or preachers 10 escape military service that
even these are now required 10 serve IN the
armies three years. This system. said the
speaker, deranRes the business life of the
! youth, who at eighteen years. must leave
for the camp. It makes. perhaps an idler
OF him. and. perhaps. ruins him with the
vices OF the barracks. The two great vices
are intoxication and the social
| evil. These are sapoiDg the life
forces of the soldiers and deteriorat-
Ing the race. Dr. Trueblood drew
Oh interesting lesson from the American
military system. which could organize an
army superior TO any In Europe of the
same size. and be conquerors In eonflicf.
The reason lies IN the strong muscles. ac-
customed TO labor. TO the educated mind.
the great moral courage, which would not
| participate in war for conquest
The chief objection. IN the speakers opin-
ion, TO war is it's deadly inIueDce against
the Spread OF the GOSPEL. The coDscriptive
system and the war spirit of Europe IS
| driving out the spirit OF Christianity. lt
| is 10 repel such destructive forces that tho
| great peace movement be-
| gun in Europe. The international con-
| vention at. Berne had 80 delegates.
representing eleven nations. The next con-
yentioD was voted To be held at Chicago.
The peace-loying people OF Europe. said DIR.
| Irueblood, are eager 10 see free and peace
| full America. whose standing army of twen-
! ty-tive thousand for sIxty-fiye millions OF
| people is 80 much marvel IN them. In
| Europe. said the Doctor, the peace organ
| izations are spreading An interpariia-
| He;.t ary conference for peace has been held.
| with seventeen parliameuts represented.
He asked. IN conclusion. that the churches
of America help TO welcome the visitors
| next year and do all 20 spread the gospel Of
peace throughout the world.