The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-21
THE PREVALENCE OF PEACE.

THE PREVALENCE OF PEACE.
Except the ridiculous spectacle which
several governments present in their deal
ings with Venezuela the civilized world
seems to be under the reign of universal
peace. Not only are there no wars, but
there Is an absence Of rumors of war. The
war cloud In Europe" for years the pro-
life topic of European correspondents.
seems to have failed those enterprising
citizens OF the world as a periodical topic
and source of revenue. There is not the
sign of war cloud in the horizon. Dis
putes between governments there are and
always will be. but ruler thinks of war
as method of settlement. There seems
to be no need for the alliance of one coterie
OF nations 10 hold another coterie In check.
Russia seems to have no designs upon
Turkey. while Europe's sick man" seems
to be pursuing his msrule with entire safe
ty. Germany seems content to hold its
the outer world for markets and quasi
German colonies. At any rate, the war
lord" as Emperor William was once called
maintains his splendid military establish
ment for the purposes of peace. Great
Britain is not so fearfully jealous of the
designs Of Russia as she was few years
ago. even IL she would have the world
believe that Kipling's bear that walks
like man. is equal to any wickedness
which he dares undertake. Russia with
its half-starved millions is quietly pursuing
its traditional policy of acquiring terri
tory for no other purpose than to acquire,
and does not seek war; on the contrary, it
is willing to make any seeming concession
that the world may lapse into state Of
universal peace. Great Britain has sought
to avoid war, and has the bitter expert
ence in South Africa in mind The other
powers in Europe are of no consequence
when the three greater are for peace. The
policy of the United States Is always pa
cifc-so pacific that until recently Europe
held us in little esteem a world power
the United States is recognized as a world
power its influence in the council of ma
tons is for peace and justice.
The absurd demonstration in Venezuela is
not in the nature of actual war, but the
effort of two important and several unim-
portant governments to discipline an in
significant government which has no other
reputation than that which Is won by a
chronic condition of revolution. There Is
reason to suspect that Great Britain and
Wi oh hax hoH
to the inconsequential events in regard to
Venezuela. The British people are dis
pleased with the part that government has
taken in the affair. while Emperor William
is willing to withdraw if Venezuela will
make humble apology for its insults to
Germany, as If full-grown man should
regard the jeers of a street gamin as re-
quiring apology. Having nothing else with
which to pay Venezuela's obligations, Cas-
tro should be willing to make any number
of apologies If they will be accepted i'm lieu
of money. So general is the worlds pacific
mood that even Canada is not threatening
the conquest of the United States, being
content with threats of accomplishing our
ruin by withdrawing it's trade
Has this condition of universal peace be-
tween the greater nations come to stay?
Why not? 1t is condition which has been
coming for years. Until within a century
war was the chief business Of nations.
Governments existed for little else than
to murder and impoverish the masses I'm
war. The humanity of Christianity has
been the leaven which has brought nations
to believe that war is a great evil to be
avoided. Except for just cause. the civil
lied world will not tolerate war as the chief
purpose of governments. True, govern
ments maintain vast armies and navies,
but these are simply for purposes Of police;
they would protect themselves by the show
ing Of capacity to do so. With the adop-
ton Of code of international arbitration
there is abundant reason to believe or at
least tc hope. that the greater powers of
the world will not go to war with each
other. craftsmanship has discovered that
IL is better for governments to adjust diff
culties without war than to make treaties
of settlement after wars involving immense
sacrifice of human life and burdening ma
tons with debts which impoverish the peo-
pie and retard progress.