The Tucson citizen., 1902-06-11
WAR FOR PlUNOER.

The South Americans have an un-
enriable reputation as chronic dis
turbers of the peace. Evidently new
light has dawned on some OF them.
however. Here for instance, are the
goycrnments of Chile and Argentina,
two republics which lately have been
on the verge Of war. deciding to submit
their differences to arbitration. War,
In this commercial and industrial age,
is suicidal folly for nations possessing
scantv resources. That South Amer
cans. with an ingrained fondness for
a fight. should realize that compromise
Is better than general throat-cuttting
IS a most encouraging sign. 1t indi-
Gates that common sense is asserting
itself in a quarter where opera -bouffe
revolutions have long been fashionable
the favorite diversions of dsappoint-
ed statesmen. Under the terms of
the agreement between Chile and Ar
gentina King Edward VII Is to act as
arbitrator in all disputes that may re-
suit from the adjustment of armaments
and the rectifcation OF frontiers. The
convention is to be in force fo.' ten
years. For a decade therefore, peace
seems TO be assured between two
OF the most prosperous of the Latin
American republics.
Every advance in international arbi-
tration should be encouraged, even by
nations which may consider themselves
strong enough to enforce their rights
by the sword. The cynic sneers 1T the
advocates OF arbitration and asserts
that men will continue to fight as long
as there is anything worth fighting
for. The Implication seems to be
that a man Is still a brute, dominated
either by the lust of power or the de-
sire to enrich himself at the expense of
the weak Sometimes it seems as II
the skeptics were not far wrong that
men have not emerged from ANNA
Ism. but brute strength is still the de
cisve force in international rela ions.
But perhaps as the human race grows
older 1t will become more sagacious.
Men as a mass will not fight unless
they are convinced that they wiz share
in the profits of war They may not
for a pittance volunteer to be shot or
bayoneted merely TO enrich few ia
vored individuals. They may demand
that the real victOrs in war receive the
spoils-not the contractors, speculators
and money-lenders who never expose
themselves to the dangers OF the con
fict. When the human fighting ma
chine becomes thus practical, the man
who stir up strife in order to profit by
a nations necessities will be less eager
to embark on enterprises Of warlke
character. If they can not control
the loot but must share It with the
fighting man, they will not be so hot
for war.
There are cynics who assert that
war is rapidly becoming a mere COM
mercial transaction. Times may be
dull trade slack. industries in a Ian
gushing condition and profits small.
What is so convenient, then, as a war
which necessitates large expenditures
OF money by the government? 1t is
assumed that the populace Is ignorant
and unthinking A smart watchword.
a shrewd appeal to racial prejudice,
and thousands of men will rally around
the standard. ready to cut throats and
make trade lively" Then again it is
said that every nation must have a war
at least once in a generation, Just to
keep up the fighting spirit of its peo-
pie. The populace has periodic at
tacks OF pugnacity, we are told, and
demands an opportunity to assert its
prowess at regular intervals. II 1t is
NV wal lOi u duc, IL Is war IOr
bounce and bluster, to prove that some
nation can lick any other nation on
The globe. Here is London dispatch
Tor instance, which intimates that
the British people are anxious to
show that the empire is left stronger
and not weaker by the Boer war; that
perhaps nothing but collision with a
power can restore British
'eH-respect after the SCOTS OF the CON
inent for the past two and a half
'ears."
verify the cynics seem to have some
arrant for their pessimisln. But
ommon sense and self Interest may
'et transform the most stupid fighting
nan into an advocate of peace unless