The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1909-05-15

JRDAY EVENING, MAY Is, 1909
statesman. the journalist, the preacher
and the Citizen. It prevents needed
reforms and blocks social progress
and still there ds the cry to be heard
Prepare tor war; we must protect
ourselves" "War ds q relapse into
baIbaGdsm;" thus says our great ora
tor Edmond Burke.
There are many obSt acles which are
| yet ITO be removed before the world
realizes universal peace. Like many
other diseases, mifitarism is conta.
gious. One nation can be infected
by another until there is an epidemic
GROUND the world. A parade of battle
ships can infuse fire into the blood of
even peaceful people. Our recent ma
val exploit caused Australia to demand
the right of England to erect and main
tain a navy as part of Erglands 8, for
her better protection; at the same
time New Zealand and Canada made
the same demand OF England. This
naval parade also inspired the hearts
OF the boys and girls everywhere,
Strengthening their desires for more
mflitany pomp and glory.
Sham patriotism Is another obstacle
Patrdottsm is tested not by a show of
buting or making great noise, or by
boasting of our strength, ibIt by daily
deeds OF service through good citizen
ship. Increase OF wealth and oppor-
tuntty have made us selfish and indif-
ferent to the nations internal dangers
This means that I'VE have towards and
deserters In Office, factory, shops and
Fparlors.
It Is said that we need a navy to
protect OF trade; that trade follows
the flag. Indeed, no Piracy has long
since gone from the seas. A COM
merce that behaves itself is free to
come and to go at will, subject only
to those regulations by which all COM
merce carrying vessels of all the pow
ers alike are restricted. The fact is
that the greater our foreign trade, the
fewer battleships need to protect it;
for dts increase unities US more and
more closely with all parts of the
world.
!. HAt the hardest thing ITO over come
Is the opinion of the people; for they
do not understand the purpose of the
Peace Movement; until they do under
stand Its true meaning very little can
be done.
While flhe nations have been and
are still building their navies and en-
listing more soldiers, there have been
and are yet, forces at work to reduce
and destroy militarism.- The peace
idea came into the world at the birth
Of Christ; but no steps were taken to-
ward its development until the 18th
century. At that time the uniting ef-
forts OF William Penn, one whose
name is familiar to all. were used to
the utmost toward the development
Of peace. Liberty and peace go hand
in hand, therefore, our forefathers did
what they could tor peace while they
were striving for liberty.
In May 1899 the First Hague Con-
ference called by the Car of Russia,
established Worlds Arbitration
Court In order that all internatinal
disputes could bet settled by arbitra-
.tion and not by battleshfps. This
court was set up by itwenty-six mem
beers. The Second Hague Conference
composed of fortyfour members, or
almost all the world, strengthened and
established the steps taken by the
First. This shows that all nations
have approved OF peaceful settle
,ment OF disputes rather than blood
shed. Besides this, there are about
500 peace societies among the ma
.tions which are leading the thoughts
of the people to a better way than
war
There are about eighty compulsory
anfbitratdon treaties have been signed
by the nations in the last five years.
These have bound the nations in com
pacts to settle their disputes by The
Hague Courts or other Hike organiza-
Ftions. The United States rs member
of twenty four of these, and one is
with Japan.
Legislators are just beginning to
consider the large amounts yearly ex-
pended for mintarfsnl. 1t is evident
that the extravaganza OF mihtarism
win help to bring its own downfall.
Now that an arbitration court is es-
tabhshed. and provision is made for
an orderly and equitable settlement OF
international differences war is no Ion
ger needed or eNcusable.
There are too many things to be
done for the betterment OF humanity
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