Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-09
INTERNATIONAL PEACE
Socialism Contrary to the Re-
alization of Such Hope.
THE VIEWS OF A DIPLOMAT
Claims of italian, German and French
Differ Greatly.
TAKING LESSONS FROM AMERICA
Belief That the United States is Pre-
pairing for Conquest of
the World.
THE VIEWS OF A DIPLOMAT
TAKING LESSONS FROM AMERICA

Socialism as exempI1ed today, is con-
trary TO the hope of universal peace. This
fact has been acknowledged by all political
authorities of the world. 1t is for this rea-
son. too. that socialism does not find as
many supporters as 1t is entitled to, should
its problems be practicable of solving. The
American socialistic ranks are as yet small.
The Germans and Italians have. far. the
most perfectly organized socialistc corps
existent.
THE Italian socialists claim that natural
social evolution tends toward collectivism."
said diplomat today, and that through
this must inevitably come universal peace.
They argue the question from biological,
evolutionary premises, and it Is. therefore,
fair to ask them II national race character
istics disappear to become more
marked. Recent conflicts do not indicate
the disappearance of race hatreds. In fact.
the lessons Of history and of present ex-
perience are contrary 10 the hope of uni
versal peace.
Economic Facts a Disturbing Cause.
Economic facts are taking such a pre-
ponderaung place that their action becomes
a disturbing cause more impelllng to war
than were thirst for riches and eagerness
for conquest in the military society of the
times of absolutism. The history of the
future will unfortunately, perhaps be
woven with battles more bloody than those
of past centuries. 1t will be no longer the
struggle of social classes for the satisfac-
ton of their interests but it will be q
more terrible struggle of peoples with the
same intent of economic interest Thus
speak those who fear the future: but there
Is something reasonable in this timidity
1t is generally admit ed that nations are
divided economically into those which have
abundant natural means Of subsistence and
those which have riches by means of labor.
Ig#N A..g,, I,,r, pf
ing the soil by culture attack those who
are less advanced. Socialism has great
enemy in indvidualism and this finds its
Krea test development in the modern democ-
raCies. In the United States and England,
where the laborers are the most powerful,
socialism is the least so. and the proletartat,
dazzled by rapid and colossal commercial
gain, does not long for an economic re-
gimP that shall close the path OF fortune
seeking.
The German Socialists.
THE German socialists maintain an en-
tirely different attitude. They are military
in every way. Herr Bebel. a leading
cialist. recently declared in the reichstag
that we socialists are the true patriots
and Germany will find no better defenders
and soldiers than we in a defensive war.
While whole battalions and regiments OF
the German army composed of social
lists. especially in Saxony, there are never
such disorders as sometimes occur among
Italian cOnScripts, even though discipline
is strtcter and the officers mostly mobiles
In Germany socialism cannot be revolution
airy, because that would repress expansion
which is the life of the German people In
Italy the socialists try to show the useless
ness of the army and the damage it works
10 the nation by saying that bayonets and
cannon serve only TO prop the throne.
Should this fall the military fabric-which
BY the way has cost many millions-woud
dissolve rapidly.
As to Disarmament
M Millerand the French socialist, urges
against any one nation lead in disarma
ment. Up TO the time. he said. today
unknown, when governments will agree TO
diminish simultaneously the weight of
military Institutions the partial disarma-
ment of one nation would be worse than
madness. It would be crime against that
ideal which the socialists are the first to ac-
claim In the image of France
Italy concluded the diplomat in this
respect must pass through the same phases
as Germany and France, because she is the
youngest nation. Anti miitarism began in
France in 1896, after the battle of Sadowa;
IN Italy In 1895 at which time the social
lists began to cry against the army.
But the Italians are now taking lessons
from the Americans 1t is evident that the
United States. while engaged in peaceful
pursuits. IS preparing for the conquest OF
the world. And many Italian politicians
maintain that the United States would
prove the Italian people for losing the
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