Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1905-12-21
Retrospect OF 1908.

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Retrospect OF 1908.
The wear that IL now drawing TO a
close is destined 10 stand out in Doid
relief as having witnessed some OF the
most momentous events in the world 9
history. The first Of these. the peace
of Portsmouth. marked the gathering
in of the fruits Of the stupendous naval
and military struggle in the Far East'
and the formal entry of the japanese
people into the front rank OF the great
powers of the world. BY that treaty
japan won for China and for herself all,
and more than all, for which she took
M arms, and thereby added valuable
political and strategical advantages TO
the moral and military prestige that
she had secured by her successful prose
cution Of the war. The indirect re-
cults Of the struggle, however, are
greater than those for which the war
was fought; for IL we read the signs OF
times Alright. it will be to the disasters
In Manchuria and in the Sea OF japan
that Russia viii be indebted for the
social and political upheaval OF which
We are witnesses at this very hour
Much as we deplore the awful excuses
that accompany this struggle. it Is our
belief that out of 1t the Russians will
emerge q free and contenfed people,
destined to hold more securely than
ever their commanding position among
the nations Of the world. It Is entirely
possible that the signing OF the Treaty
OF Portsmouth marked the close OF the
last great war to be waged between
civilized powers. The enormous cost
Of modern war, its liability to bring
shout either q financial or a political
cataclysm, has given to it new terror.
Kings, Parliaments and Congresses will
hesitate before they resort to arms as
final arbitrament. An even surer pre-
ventive OF war, and most hopeful sign
Of permanent peace, 10 found In the in
creasing tendency Of the nations TO
fraternize az man with man. Such in
cidents as the recent extraordinarily
friendly receptions accorded to visiting
foreign fleets. and particularly the cor
dial determination OF the crews as seen
In France and this in country, have q
profound Significance. Can 1t be that
the era of universal peace has already
stolen in upon Ms unannouncedr
We shall not be charged with having
an undue estimate Of the Importance OF
the Panama Canal, il we state that this
is one Of the most serioug problems,
political, commercial or military, con-
fronting this country to-day; nor shall
we be accused Of undue pessimism IL we
suggest that the way in which we have
handled this great problem during the
past few months has added nothing TO
our reputation for constructive and ex-
ecutive ability in work OF this mag
nitude. There have been designations
without number, including that Of the
Chief Engineer; we have appointed
Boards Of Control, only summarily to
disband them: we have spent ten mil
lion dollars. even before we know what
kind of canal we intend to build. or
by what particular method we will
build It; and finally, after calling to-
gether an advisory board composed Of
the most representative engineers Of the
world. in order that they may tell us
Just what kind OF q canal we thould
construct, we are hysterically threaten.
ing TO ignore their decision even before
they have had time officially to render
1t. We are of the opinion that there
are just three things for the United
States TO do, X II Is TO maintain ite
national dignity and successfully carry
through this gigantic work; the first Is
TO accept without question the type Of
canal recommended by the Board the
second. Is to let the work by contract
under the absolute supervision OF a
Chief Engineer; and the third is to vote
him ungrudgingly the appropriations
which are necessary 10 carry ON the
work npon the scale, and by the
methods he shall determine. II this be
done, the United States within single
decade. will possess sea.leyel canal
deep enough and broad enough for any
possible development In the size OF the
ships OF the future and capable OF giving
them unhindered passage from the
Atlantic to the one tidal lock on the
Pacific. Moreover IL these conditions
are fulfilled, we are satisfied that sea
level canal will be placed at the service
OF the country In practically the same
time as one built withlocks and having
the same capacity.-Sci Am.
The foreign devils" are having a
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