The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-09-02

AMusEMENTs TO-DAY.
The Peace of Nations.

Inc RodCc OF NdtlOHS.
Profound dIscourageme sits heavy
upon many souls because the era since
the close OF the peace conference at
The Hague has been one OF incessant
war They hold that the fine senti-
ments ana large visions OF that inter
national gatherings were the lip-worship
which Ia more detestable than the
crude and hateful passion OF the saw
age. Pessimists say that the lust OF
blood IL strong upon mankind. that
avarice stalks through the world I'M
checked, that the greed for land and
gold holds al, nations. and moral ideas
ana forces have lost everything but q
mere formal and casual allegiance.
One need not pass to the other ex-
treme to recognize the supcrnciality
and incorrcctness Of this. The world
Is neither wholly good nor wholly bad;
and nations are neither cieansed OF the
ancient passions that once made earth
a purgatory nor emerged into the clear
atmosphere OF love and service. But
they are progressing They are sub
missive to ioftier standards than those
OF history. They are restrained by
forces which are essentially novel In
their operation on so large scale. Like
men and women. they are working ont
their ideals painfully, through many
failure In character as well as In con-
duct
The aspect OF affairs In China Is one
Of the evidpces Of this. We may
search history In vain for any parallel
One OF the richest countries OF the
world lies PROSTATE and helpless. Its
offending has been no great that no
punishment could be declared extreme.
Within itself all power Of efrectual re-
sistance has been destroyed by the
atrophy OF Institutions and OF indlyid-
friend. Its integrity Is no part OF the
European scheme nor Ia II necessary
10 the harmony OF the European pow
ers The booty Is 80 great that each
OF those who would divide IL might
claim a satisfying share without en-
ercaching upon the others. There is
nothing TO prevent war of virtual ex-
termination; no bar 20 the quitting Of
that Unsuitable appetite for conquest
which Ia held 60 brand the age.
Two great nations have Joined voiun-
tarlly IN the proclamation OF a policy
that has nonplussea the diplomatic
world by its strangensss II would
treat the country at their mercy with
a generous forhearance. II rcllnqnishes
nothing that strict Justice or the as
ages OF nations could demand. but Il
raises mighty protest against spoii-
alton. with the purpose 70 protect
every right and te exact PREPARATION for
every wrong that exists among the for
eign population In China. Z, says tina,
thss strange and ancient people shall
have consideration AZ our hands. that
Wv "A* NfN& ANA NaNfAA wv Nstf ~ Jaw
and order. that we seek thelr advance
rnent rather than their plumber. that
tho International feeling o. obligation
Is nor chlnsrA bat fact.
This Is bat one more evidence OF the
growth OF high moral sentiment In
national llte of which the Ualted states
has furnished conspicuous examples
Msn who Interpret action by their own
base standards may sheer. but all the
world knows now that our motive In
lighting 90 free Cuba vas pure ana sin
cerc. II knows that what We gave we
gave freely, and that there is in this
country pride 50 generous aud hope
SO intense In every sign % free cuba's
progress as the addition Of that island
10 eur possessions would never have
evoked Il knows. as We know. that
the underlying feeling Of the American
people who believe in the retention OF
the Philippines is not conquest or trade,
but tAs leading sf thsss people by the