Omaha daily bee., 1901-01-24
INDIRECT CusT or WAN
Some OF the Evils 81 soldier Life in
Our New Possessions.
Cleveland Leader

Cleveland Leader
1t is trite saying that the nation which
goes to war never knows when or under
what conditions its weapons can be laid
down. The keenest foresight fails TO re
veal the paths into which the first appar-
emily simple campaign planned may lead.
Neither IS It possible TO estimate the cost
OF the struggle begun
These facts are we'll known TO ell intelli-
gent men, Thoughtful persons, with due
regard for the welfare OF their country, do
not forget them even in the loudest clsmor
OF the ignorant and unthnking majority
when a country is being hurried into war by
popular agitation and the scheming OF those
who seek 10 profit by II.
But the comparatively slow ard obscure
evils which add enormously to the ultimate
cost OF war seldom attract much attention
until after the conflict has closed and II IL
too late for anything more practical than
taking To heart its lessons and gaining light
for the future. Yet these indirect and
elusive factors in the expense OF war al
though they defy accurate measurement.
are among the worst and most certain con
sequences
We have an example now in this country.
in the repulsive form Of smallpox. In many
states the spread OF that disease has be-
.
in certain parts Of the United states has
been more or less tainted with the virus of
what may easily become a virulent pestl-
lence Some small communities are under
going a vertablo paralysis OF their bus-
, ness by reason Of the prevalence OF dis
gushing infectious disease.
II is we'll understood that the new out
break Of smallpox is a direct result Of the
war with Spain. IL Is the fruit OF American
military expeditions to tropical Islands.
Hundreds OF soldiers have come home with
the taint In their own blood or In their be-
! longings. They have scattered through the
country, spreading the germs OF smallpox
as far and wide as their travels. Hence
the existing conditions.
! The undesirabllty of smallpox is evident.
No one fails to see that II cannot be COM
mon without causing much waste OF time
and money, great annoyance and some peril
to life. But who shall measure its true
cost to the people Of country like the
United states? Such a disease may easily
prove more expensive than war.
Every case means a loss OF not less than
500. That Is a very low estimate and far
below the facts In communities where mod
ern methods of fighting tho disease are
practiced. Several weeks OF enforced idle
ness for the patient must he taken into ac-
clothing. the injury done TO furniture and
household utensils, the pay of physicians.
the work OF sanitary policemen, the cost OF
ambulances, special hospitals or wards in
hospitals and many other items
IL will be seen that 70 900 new cases
occur weekly in the entire country the cost
involved is at least 100000. That IL for
clearly defined and direct expenses. How
much should be added to measure the inter
| ference with business. the checking OF new
| industrial undertakings and the benumbing
| effects OF apprehensions OF great cpl
damic? What is the cost in lingering weak
ness from disease and in tainted blood?
| Worst of all is the fact that there ap-
| pears to be no limit of time to the ravages
of Cuban and Philippine smallpox. 1t has
! been gradually spreading for two years and
| more and the Indications are that IL Will
| be more general before conditions change
| for the better. IL we are to have 10000
cases Il week. scattered throughout the
| country, which would not be much more
| than proportionate TO the record for some
| weeks in this city, year OF that sort OF
thing would mean direct loss OF at least
$50, ,OOo, 900, with indirect results probably
twice as destructive to prosperity.
The lesson taught by the outbreak OF
smallpox is the same which Is to be found
in the bringing home OF other and more re-
pulsiye diseases from the Orient. IT is in
| harmony with the warnings OF history
against the peril OF corrupted blood weak
ened national stamina and perverted ener-
gies and ambitions, as the natural result
| OF war.
Sometimes all these evils as well as the
| obvious and we'll known havoc OF battle,
siege and march. are to be preferred TO
| peace, but the sure consequences ought al
WAYS to be clearly understood. The fact
that nations go blindly and gnorantly into
conflicts which may cost them far moro
than the utmost price they would he willing
to pay for the object sought in taking up
arms Is one of the most stupendous proofs
OF human folly and ignorance which the
| world Affords.