Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-06-05

De Wen 10 raise Ihe uueSNAA
If the game of war is worth
the candle?
Sir Michael Hicks-Beech has fig
ured it out that England has ex-
pended thus far on the South Afr
rican contest $S25, 10000. When the
affair is fully rounded out, the SOL
diers brought home and living con-
ditions restored to the Boer FARMS
it is estibated England's total bill
will foot up the enormous sum Of
. 81, $40, OOO, 900. To this must be added
the outlay by the Beers and all the
loss arising from the withdrawal Of
thousands of men from productive
labor for several years. Together
with the value of all property which
has been burned and otherwise de-
stroyedl by the contending forces as
they have marched and counter
marched through the land. When
these items are added it must be
reckoned that $2,0OO,O 100000 is the
lowest figure to express the cost of
this protracted conflict.
NThis stupendous figure leaves
untold the awful waste of human
life, the sad sum of widowhood,
orphanage, and inexpressible hu-
man misery, and the aggregate Of
international hate which has been
incurred. No array of figures can
measure these Unreasonable ex-
penditures of invisible and invalua-
able treasure.
Has England or the Boer Repub-
lie anything to show for all this
that can justify the outlay?
Let us bring sthe matter closer
home. Four years ago our country
went to war with Spain and that
contest brought US into the Philip
pine war, which is not yet ended.
1t is computed that we have al
ready expended $500, 100000. Spain
also is out of pocket a great sum.
The Filipinos have expended no
man knows how much-all they
could lay their hands on. And the
end is not yet. We continue to spend
about $4,000, 900 a year in those
distant islands, or annually about
$3.50 per head for every man, wo-
man and child in the United States.
Is that the best we can do with our
money? Surprising that by these
war-like operations in South Africa
and the Philippines, the cause of
civilization has been and will be
really advanced, have we not bought
such civilization as may thereby be
secured at the dearest possible price,
when 1t might have been better pro-
cured at a lower, cost by peaceable
methods?
Cuba ought to have been liberia
ted; but we'll informed people know
that as far back as Mr.. CleVeland's
last administration that result was
in sight by processes less costly and
cruel than war and that it would
have been thus secured but for the
limoges in our own country and in
Spain. Later, in the early days of
Mr.. McKinley's administration,
these same jingoes intercepted any
peaceable settlement of the question
and made war inevitable.
What a pity that it was not posi-
BILE to have made the jingoes do all
the fighting and pay for all their ra-
lions and ammunition while doing
the fighting. Then the war would
have been worth all it cost, for the
destruction of such a breed would
have been the guarantee of long
years of peace. Alas! jingoes rarely
ever furnish many men or much
money for the wars they kindle.
Like rats gnawing match heads in
a barn, they are able to make con-
hagrations out of all proportion to
their own Importance and to save
their sorry hides by scampering
away to places of safety and con-
cealment always open to them by
reason of their very insignificance.
Honest people pay the bills or per-
ish in the flames while these social
and political rodents set about some
new scheme of mischief.
Is it not time for the nations to
expend their militant energies in a
war of determination upon the jim
goes-the Ransy Sniffies of civiliza-
ton who are never happy unless
they are bringing on a fight? Would
not honest people in all lands do
better to hunt down these pests
than to fall upon each other in
bloody battles!
1t may we'll be doubted if there
ever was a good war or a bad peace.
Certain it is that now, in this age
of enlightenment and humanity. in
this day of international arbitration
and peace congresses, there is no
longer just excuse for any nation to
avenge its wrongs or assert it's
rights on the field of blood and car
mage. All interests of all nations are
now better preserved by force of ar
gument than by the argument Of
force.
The duel between individuals is
discredited; wherein are information
al duels more honorable? They de-
termine no principles of right, but
only make demonstrations of might.
They drag after them generations
men who hate each other without
a cause. They settle no questions
well.
Years ago the gentle Longfellow