The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-09-01

justly supposed to be the last from which
On invitation TO an international peace con-
ference would have been expected. and
Mlthln the past twenty years no time could
nave seemed less propitious for the nau-
SuTauon or such a policy Russia is being
JealOuSly watched by all the other powers
interested in the far East. where she seems
10 be entering upon policy of territorial
asgfanmzement hitherto unparalleled in her
IeieHtleSs mdfch across the continent OF
Asia. Her resources for the equpping and
maintenance of vast armies probably sur
pass those of any other nation. For be-
sides having an unequaled territory and pop
ulation to draw upon her government can
command the absolute submission of every
subject as no other great power can. Yet
not from England, with her enlightened con-
ceptions of the kinship OF all nations. not
from France or Italy, staggering under the
very men who are also the nations rulers,
not even from Germany, with its specula-
tive tendencies and erratic Emperor but
from despotic half-savage Russia, from
The Great White Gar who holds the
life of every subject in his royal keeping,
comes this frank admission OF the terrible
waste and folly of war and an invitation
to other powers to consider methods for its
final aboltion-an invitation so statesman
like and earnest that foreign criticism and
lncreduhty were largely dlsarmed In ad-
vance.
the enormous difficulties in the way OF such
a humane contamination. Perhaps the chief
ana most lnSurnOuntabe one IS that
great council of nations must be created
that Will assume the right and exercise the
authority to settle all international disputes
mat cannot be otherwise peacefully adjust
ed; yet a federation Of kindred or contigu-
Gus nations for the regulation of interna-
tlonal issues is an increasingly needful step
IN the march Of civilization; for every year
nations are drawn nearer together, their
JOINT and diverse interests become more
complicated, and the necessity for a compe-
tent international tribunal more imperative.
Selling fortunate time, Bismarck bound
together the jealous discordant principali-
ties that make up the German empire. The
was directed mainly toward forming COM
binations that would prevent a European
war. What he succeeded in doing tempo
rarily by defensive alliances some future
statesman will do permanently by some sort
of international union or compact that will
substitute for the savagery and waste of
war fOrcible submission to some more
lightened arbtramcnt. Universal peace is
not q dream of enthusiasts. but the only
rational solution of the present intolerable
policy OF increasing ornaments. Russia,
which has twice the mi .tary strength OF
of the burden The German Emperor finds
it Increasingly difficult to wiring army and
navy supplies from the Reichstag. Austria
and Italy are on the verge of bankruptcy.
Is it violent assumption to suppose that
these nations. or the first three, might band
themselves together at the proposed con-
ference in some sort of anti-var league that
might go a long way toward a practical
solution of the problem? Now. If the union
was so framed as to make Ii very desirable
to other nations to participate In its ad-
VantageS and very dangerous TO resist its
authority one of the greatest and most
beneficent governmental changes in human
history might be inaugurated without wait
ing for the milennial era TO reform the
temper of men and nations. Craftsmanship
is or ought to be enlightened common sense.
BismarkA armed Prussia to the teeth a%the
only mGSlod of accomplishing German uni
~. Other nations had perforce TO follow
his example. They have gone on raising
and equipping fresh levies each year. Either
break down Of its own weight There is
but one way to avert this catastrophe. 1t is
to compel the submission of international
differences to some more rational settlement
than that Of the heaviest battalions. The
United States. willie still comparatively ex-
empt from the curse of militarism, ought %
lend all its influence in aid of this world
reform. J. O. DONNELL.
Kingston, Ind. Aug. 81.