The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-27
THE CONVERSATIONS OF WAR.

Two prominent Englishmen have recently
made public expressions regarding the ben
eficial effects of the present war from a
British point of view. AS the British have
not yet achieved single substantial VIC
tory nor made any perceptible Roadway in
the main purpose of the war, they may be
excused for looking for its benefits in
other directions. DR.. Conan Doyle. the
novelist, said in an address before the
Authors Club few nights ago:
have seen more positive virtue in this
country during the last few months than
l saw during the previous forty years of my
life. Why should We punish Kruger? That
man mas solved a problem which every
statesman has found unsolvable. / would
build monument to President Kruger of
the size OF St Pauls Cathedral. putting
him under it; and would write across it
TO the memory Of the man who federated
the British empire"
The speaker emphasized this view by say
ing that a few months ago he presided at
peace meeting, but he now wished to abb
jure that error He said, further. he had
concluded that war was the foundation of
all the high virtues and faculties of men,
Somewhat on the same line was the utter
ance of Lord Rosebery, who in a recent
speech. alluding to the war, said:
I was never so proud OF my country as
during the week following the battle of the
Tugela river, when party politics disap-
peared absolutely and gave way to a pas
sionate resolve to pour out the last shilling
and the last man TO assist the country in
her hour of need. Whatever foreigners may
say. they have not got to the bottom of old
England yet. This test of the character of
the British people will alone counterbalance
our losses. The reverses of the war have
taught the country that the empire is
united empire.
The central thought I'm both expressions
is that the war has unified the British peo-
pie. demonstrated the unity of the empire
and the loyalty of the colonies, and brought
out reserve virtues in all classes which are
dormant in time of peace. There is good
deal of truth in this. 1t has been many
generations since the British people have
shown, or had as good reason to snow,
their patriotism and loyalty as they are
dong now, and the unity of the empire
has never before been so distinctly demon
strated. Wherever the British flag floats,
from London to Quebec, from Australia to
India, troops have been offered In greater
numbers than could be accepted The
Queens jubilee was a more spectacular dis
play Of imperial federation. but nothing
like as spontaneous impressive.
Speaking generally, all wars have their
compensations. War itself is hell, but the
influences and results of war are often ben
oI ;-I$ H.
necessary evils for the progress of the race.
and the evolution of history could not have
been accomplished without them. Our war
with Spain was worth more to the Nation
in moral results than it cost in money or
lives. If the war in Africa has federated
the British empire, our war with Spain
federated the Union of States In the way
Of harmonizing the North and the South
and wiping out the memories of the civil
war 1t DID more in six months than had
been accomplished Turing thirty-fve years
preceding. 1t might almost be said that
the war found us two peoples and left us
one. That alone was worth all it cost. In
addition to this 1t demonstrated that,
whether we desire it or not we are and
must be a world power, and that we cannot
expect to escape the responsibilities and
duties that come with maturity of national
growth and strength. 1t forced us to recog-
nize the fact that while China and Japan
are preparing to quit their seclusion and
engage in the worlds competition, the
United States must not appropriate their
discarded methods by adopting a policy of
isolation. This is another distinct CON-
pensation of our war with Spain. True,
we gained victories from the start while
Great Britain mas not gained any yet. but
hers will come later. Meanwhile her people
have a right to contemplate the other COM
PEI -a.ions Z war.