The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1909-06-10
THURSDAY, JUNE 10. 1909.
DREADNAUGHT OR
CARIST CT ANDES

NhNAo1 NJ ANDES
The Dreadnaught is the last and
highest expression OF the science OF
naval warfare, offensive and defen-
sive. 1t has the acme Of speed, is
best armored and equipped with guns
of the highest caliber carrying to the
greatest distance, capable of inflicting
most damage on the ships or fortifca-
tlons OF an enemy and is so trained
as to strike the point aimed at with
greatest accuracy. The naval experts
of the nations, the wisest statesmen
and diplomats are agreed that each
nation needs to have and have as
speedily as possible as many ships OF
the Dreadnaught type as they can
build with the facilities at their dis
posal and the means that each can
command by taxation of their own
people or loans from them or from
the financial magnates of the world.
Hence a competent authority assures
us that this year will see completed
or in process of construction seventy
ships OF the Dreadnaught type, Great
Britain having IL, Germany 13, the
United States and Japan each,
France and other powers two to
four each.
The cost OF ship OF this type Is
estimated at about ten million dol
lars. Thus the expenditure OF money
on these gigantic engines of war will
aggregate something like seven hun
dred millions of dollars.
This is. we are told, a utilitarian
age. For a great expenditure of mon
ey we seek to have an adequate re-
turn. Plain people will ask what
substantial gain can be shown for
this enormous outlay What use is
to be made OF these Dreadnoughts?
Are they built for the purpose CT
fighting? Oh, no! the nations are go
ing to the enormous expense of labor
and money In order to prevent the
need of having to use them in actual
conflict
In order that these monsters may
be OF any avail for the protection II
the nation that has them each must
have a better equipment than any
power that may be opposed to II.
Cold cihlls OF terror are felt through
all England because or a rumor that
Germany Is building more Dread
naughts than she is and in 1912 will
actually be ahead of her in that
TINE.
While this mad race for naval
supremacy is going on the ministers
Of finance are fearing deficits and
depleted treasures and the people
are groaning under the burden OF
enormous war budgets in times OF
peace. when they must prepare for
war" What will the end be? And
Is there no better way?
A few years ago saw the revival OF
an old quarrel between Chile and Ar
gentina respecting boundary lines in
nnn fuf
matter for long and exhausting war,
at the end each parry ready to take
what could be gained in settlement
But a dignitary of the church saw
better way and urged it 80 force
fully and persistently as to secure
its adoption. The entire boundary
question was submitted to King Ed
ward of England with the agree
ment 20 abide by his decision AMI
was settled TO the satisfaction OF both
parties. Then by concert OF the
government and people OF both ma
tions in conspicuous position on a |
peak OF the Andes was raised a
colossal statue OF the Christ, one
hand holding aloft tie cross, sign OF
the worlds redemption and the other
extended In benediction toward the
nations. With great rejoicing of both |
peoples was set up this statue of the
Prince of Peace, pledge of perpetual
peace and amity.
Dreadnaught, or Christ OF tn |
Andes. Which of these best repre-
sent the civilization of today? Tha
depends on whether we are facing
backward toward the barbarism OF
the past or forward toward tho aus
ricious rising OF the Sun of Righteous
ness