Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-02-05
THE LATEST WAR TALK.


The anecdote from Toxic. to the ef-
feet that the japanese government is
contemplating Offering Great Britain
friendly advice concerning her military
system. should, perhaps, be read In
connection with a London dispatch on
q speech recently delivered by Lord
Roberts The English field marshal is
said TO have renewed his campaign for
the enlargement OF the standing army
and It Is conceivable that some sympa-
thizer with the cause Of militarism
may have been at work in Toxic, IN or
der to aid the agitation at home for
more soldiers.
Lord Roberts, It is said. In an adj
dress before the Liverpool Chamber Of
Commerce affirmed that the nation was
as absolutely unprepared for war as II
was in 1892 He urged the adoption OF
100000 men as the military standard,
half FOR the defense OF India and the
other half to nj the nation to maintain
a European struggle. II does not APP
pear that the great English soldier
places much confidence In the peaceful
effect Of the alliance with Japan, which,
however was justified on the plea that
1t would be a promoter of peace be-
tween nations Lord Roberts seems 10
entertain fears for india VIII the Toxic
Incident aid the agitators, by spreading
a military fever among the British peo-
ple2
II Is noteworthy that also in this
country, the agitation for larger army
Is being revived. A contributor to the
North American Review deplores the
unpreparedness of the United States for
war. He finds fault with the militia,
lie compares our military strength to
that Of other countries, and argues that
we could easily maintain an army three
times as large as our present land
forces. Hls logic on this point Is Pc
culiar He says the property value Of
the country Is no less than nlnety-four
billion dollars, It would not cost more
than sl.O6 FOR each 81, 900 worth OF prop
erty, TO maintain large and efficient
army. But he forgets that few
individuals own more than half OF the
national wealth, aud that comparative
ly few earn over $1,000 a year. lie also
forgets that through indirect taxation
the burden OF maintenance Is not plac-
ed evenly according to the property
owned or earning capacity. and this
destroys his economic argument entire
ly. 1t is, however, about as logical as
most of the arguments that are used in
favor OF mlltaTism.
We hope the time win soon come
when men viii cease their efforts for
the creations OF armies and navies, and
the study Of the arts OF war, Progress
Is sure to be retarded in proportion to
the time and energy devoted to work of
destruction. And there is yet so much
to do, before this earth becomes per-
feet abode for man. Unity OF effort OF
all nations is required. not quarrel and
brutal competition for the choice por-
lions, as among beasts NJ. Flammar-
lon has recently expressed the opinion
that the Inhabitants OF Mars live on
a most delightful globe. But why
should not this beautiful earth be made
JUST as delightful? There is heat
enough, II evenly distributed. to make
every continent and every island
seml-troplcal country. and there are
mountain peaks enough 10 furnish snow
and fee for cooling purposes, There Is
energy enough In the tides and other
sources to furnish all the power
needed When men learn the lessons OF
nature, they will make room for
millions OF human beings, where now
only thousands exist. And to this we
are coming. But there must be peace
among men, and Justice, and love, be-
fore there Will be very rapid progress
In this direction Man Will not be per-
mitted to become the master of nature.
until he has learned 10 use his knowl-
edge for the well-being OF feIlow-men
Instead Of for their destruction. A wise
father does not give his son a sharp
knife, or u loaded gun. before he can
trust him with such weapons. Neither
viii God entrust His children with
knowledge that they are not III to
possess Hence, progress will be re-
tarded as long as mlltarsm is per-
mtted TO be a dominant tendency