The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1898-06-23
WHAT WAR MEANS.
THE ACTUAL LOSS SINCE
HISTORY BEGAN IS BE
YOND ALL ESTIMATE.
It is Great Folly.
From Leslie's Weekly.

From Leslie's Weekly.
What has actually been lost to the
wealth of the world in the blood and
ashes of war since authentic history
began is beyond all estimate. It has
been computed that the loss of human
life alone in that time from war
amounts to fourteen thousand million
souls-a number equivalent to the en-
tire population of the globe for the last
$50 years. 1t should be noted here
that the class of men who are drafted
or accepted for military service are In
variably the very class who, by reason
of age, health and strength, are the
most valuable to the world from the
purely economic and material stand
point. They are the stalwart, intelli-
gent, capable men. In the country
economists have set the definite value
of $1,000 upon the average man con-
sidered as a wealth producer. Taking
this figure as the general standard OF
the value OF man, it can be seen that
an inconceivable amount Of wealth in
the shape of men has been destroyed
on the battlefields OF the world since
time began.
The war losses of the United States
have not been as great, comparatively,
as those of other civilized nations in
recent times, but even the totals here
are sufficient to show the absurdity OF
the supposition that either now or at
any other time war may reap financial
gain by the sickles of battle. The an
nual expenditure of the United States
during the War OF the Revolution was
$2O,OOO,O0O in specie. Most OF this
money was raised by public loans in
the form OF paper currency. The d.
mlnishing value of this slender security
inevitably brought about the boarding
Of gold. The consequent scarcity Of
real money, as matter of course, was
followed by suffering widespread and
intense.
Our second war with England lasted
only two years, but it cost us $72, 00O,-
600 to vindicate our cause, just and
righteous as it was. And this did not
include the losses to our merchant
marine from English priyateerlng, a
loss beyond computation, even in those
times of our comparative commercial
poverty.
For the folly of the Mexican War we
had to pay dearly in men and treasure,
loss for which our acquisition of
territory did not compensate. The
lives OF more than 5000 American
citizens was part of the price we paid
for that display of power and something
more than 25,O0O,O 900 for military dis
bursements was another part.
For the Civil War the figures of loss
all around amount up to stupendous
totals. The Immediate financial losses
were s., SOC, 100000 to the North and
100000, 900 to the South, with such
after results as a national debt of So,
100000, 900, crippled merchant ma
rine, a ruined agricultural community
besides the losses occasioned in other
parts of the world, including those con-
squent upon the cotton famine of Lam
cashire and the loss of employment to
more than 100000 European laborers.
Such, at least, are the losses computed
by Leroy-Beaulieu in his lies Queries
Contemporains," causing him thus to
close his chapter on our Civil War
"Such is war. Its nature is so homi.
cidal that It Stays thousands of miles
from the battlefield"
Coming to things at the present mo.
ment, it is proper to bear in mind the
fact, given in dubitable authority, that
according to the plans now arranged it
will cost about $1OO,0OO,OOO a month
to carry on our military operations
One may compute for himself what
that means for year of war or longer.
We have also in this expense account
such items as these: That every one oil
our big defence guns cost from $780,.
600 to $500, 600 Tor making, and 81 ,OO(
and upward for every shot fired. An
engagement between two great modern
battle ships will cost about $1,000 an
hour. And for every one of such bat
tie ships destroyed an investment oil
$2.OOO,OOO or more will be wiped ont
Ten OF our war vessels now in service
represent total expense to the nation
OF $29, 100000. This is large amount
of capital placed at great risk.
It may be admitted that the first re-
suits OF war just now will be beneficial
to many lines of trade and industry. Il
will stimulate some kinds of business
as with galvanlc shock it will give
employment to many unemployed i,
will create new and large demands fol
certain products and thus will seem fo1
n time to iustifv the belief that mo,