The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-19
THE ADVOCATES OF PEACE
GATHERING IN MRS. MAY WRIGHT
SEwALL's DRAWING ROOM.
Mr.. G. ID. PERKS, of London, England,
ism''-Critfcises Recent Wars.

Last night at the residence of Mrs May
Wright Sewall discussion of the pros
poets and probabilities of universal peace
and international arbitration took place
among few invited guests of Mrs. Sewall,
who were present to hear a paper on I'm
perialism," by Mr.. G. ID. Perris, of London,
England. Mr.. Perris is the editor of Con-
cord, and. being a member of the Inter-
national Peace Society, is touring this coun-
try to learn the views of the thinking por-
ton of the people on the questions arising
from the desire of the society to create
a peace sentiment in the world that will
provoke a universal belief in the necessity
for peace. Mr.. Perris is the author of a
history of the peace movement, which in
Hague conference and a discussion of it's
Importance to the worlds progress.
Mr.. Perris, is his paper on Imperial
ism,' devoted most of his facts to the
lessons learned from the Boer war. That
this war was unnecessary and could have
been averted, is his opinion. It's terrible
results, awful cost of life and its devas-
tation of South Africa, Mr.. PERKS argues,
speak for peace The war showed the
world the terrible consequences of declara-
lions Of war between nations. The lives
lost, the great expense. the heart aches
and the loss of dignity Of the participants
and their subsequent regret for engaging
said. o
Mr.. Perris declared that the South Afri-
can war had cost Great Britain 81, 250, 100000
and the loss of thousands of lives of good
men and sons of England and her colonies.
He said he rejoiced to say that the ex-
penditure of $4,000 for each of the Beers
captured could be calculated from the fig
ures. AS result there is no better con-
dition in South Africa. The country is
worse now than 1t has been and the means
used-war-was not productive of the de-
sired end-the entire subjugation of the
South African people and the enforcement
OF their allegiance to the British crown.
war by Great Britain was sufficiently large
TO pension all of the Beers at the time
OF the war and to maintain them and their
descendants on pension in perpetuity.
The Philippine policy of the United States
was criticised by Mr.. PERKS. He did not
detail any of the conditions leading up to
the war, because. he said, he was not con-
versant enough with the facts to attempt
1t. He did know, however, he said that the
war was an unjust one from a humani-
tartan and peace advocate view. The sub
lection OF natives and the civilizing of them
by the means used-gunpowder and war
machinery-was not complimentary to the
American people, he said.
Mr.. Perris said the world would have to
be educated up to the idea of universal
peace and arbitration before the suggestion
can be introduced by any of the nations
The civilized world, when 1t properly I'M
derstands the motives of those persons and
nations who advocate peace. will accept
the new condition. All indications point to
| the establishment soon of peace ideas in the
minds of the worlds statesmen. When ma
| tons learn TO look upon international dis
| putes as nothing more nor less than a SUBJ
| Ject for the consideration of international
| courts. wars will cease, said Mr.. PERKS.
| He declared that in the past all wars
known to history could have been averted
| II the peace sentiment prevailed, rather
| than the war spirit and emotion, which
| prompted the heads of nations to decisive
action and declarations of war. When the
| people are taught to believe in the need of
| elaboration and calm consideration OF in
| ternational disputes. then will wars be for
After Mr.. Perris had finished his paper
| there was an informal talk on the subject
| by the guests. Charles r. Williams, Mrs.
| Sewall and others entered the discussion.
| Mr.. Williams declared that war has been
| necessary in many cases. War could not
| have been averted i'm 1861. and there was
| no other way to settle the differences of the
| North and South. He said he believed In
| peace and hoped for peace but as condi-
| lions are now and because of sentiment the
| only way out of many difficulties between
| men and nations is to ''stand up and fight
| ii out