The San Francisco call., 1899-11-25
NO DISARMlNG.

| HE Cars proposition that the great nations
should beat their spears into pruning hooks
and their swords into plowshares has gone
glimmering the limbo OF forgotten things, along
with other mennal plans that were intended 10
usher in the Golden Age. II the United States had
continued its policy OF small army and had alb
stained from the ambitions OF conquest our example
Of happiness and prosperity would have continued 10
impress the world That great armies are not necessary
to the welfare OF the people The great strain upon
the industry and resources of nation involved in the
support OF immense military establishments was tell
ing so seriously upon every European Government
that the fatherland sentiment of patriotism appealed
TO TO make the burden endurabe, was yielding to the
feeling OF the people that their share in the dynastc
glories reaped by war was insufficient to justify the
sacrifice OF supporting armies. This popular feeling
had IFS strongest support in the example of the United
States. Tens OF thousands OF immigrants came an
nually from the military nations to this country
where they seldom a soldier. Exuberant at their
release from military burdens they inoculated senti
ment IN every land they left by singing the praises of
the republic, which, by freedom from militarsm of
tered TO all men the broadest and best opportunity
Tor ie, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. This
example OF that enlightenment OF the world
by liberty, represented by Barthodis statue in New
York harbor 1t was the sole enlightenment and it
means all that is precious But now this light
is being quenched. Its fame burns weakly We have
entered upon what Jefferson called the hell OF war
and ambition that the curse OF Europe We have
gone as other military conquerors 60, far abroad,
where we are necessarily involved in hostile contacts
with other conquerors and have sought far away that
form OF prestige which endangers us at home AS 4
consequence there is a steady persistent unyielding
propaganda for the purpose of increasing our ranel
.ha =
ton and purpose The arguments OF this propaganda
are unanswerable Granting its premise that we are
now the OF nearly twenty millions of subjects
indignant and hostile, ready TO strike us any moment
when our attention is diverted ready also to Join any
enemy OF ours who makes demonstration against
our new pretensions, must look forward to stand
ing army OF at least three hundred thousand men
1 hese VIII be needed not only to warn off foreign
aggression, but too for the purpose OF repressng
those conditions at home which always develop in the
wake OF mitarism. War taxes are already upon us
with the prospect OF increase rather than decrease
Labor Is striking, in blind way at changes in our
system OF Government, the very suggestion OF which
implies revolutionary spirit Property is gradually
training itself TO lean upon military rather than iu-
dcia protection, and the signs circle our political
horizon that forete rapid transformation into
military republic scale more vast and portentous
-IidI the WOTIu mas ever seen lrue, there
US statesmen OF experience and well-seasoned pa
triotism, ike ex-President Harrison, who are dis
believers il the possibility OF such change in the
purpose OF our people and the spirit OF our Govern
ment, but the evidences are not wanting that they
coniure in vain.
Our good example OF peaceful spirit and OF pros
perity without support OF vast armies worked its way
among the people OF other countries and through
them was gaining in its impression upon their Gov
e-nments.
Our bad example, being in line with the necessities
OF every monarchical establishment. has not only
etaced that impression, but has instantly inspired
every other Government in Its purpose to arm more
completely and justify itself by promoting every fric
ton that may affct the world with war If we have
deliberately chosen our new lot nothing can be said
against acceptance OF all its consequences its diff
culties and dangers Our physical resources are the
hnest IN the world. We can stand larger drain 70
De wasted IN the destruction OF war But many sad
eye VIII turn to the past and many hand will clinch
IN protest against embarkation upon career of
military power and glory in exchange for our majestic
progress in the paths OF peace