Milford chronicle., 1909-02-26

greater safety by expending on a
Peace Budget a small amount every
year-say one dollar ont Of every
thousand voted for armaments-
last year that would have been
$22O, 600, which in the hands Of
commission could have brought 100
eminent Japenese here and sent 100
of our Congressmen and editors to
Japan Banquets, speeches, inter
views, lectures, &c would have
brought about Misunderstanding and
friendship which might have easily
prevented the vote for a new dread
naught. This method was recon-
mended by the interparlimentary
Union, and IS worth more even
than the ounce Of prevention which
is worth a pound of cure. Cour-
tesy and good will are more power
ful than explosives in preventing
war.
IS. Because a national and ra-
cial arrogance is growing in our
country, and bumptious talk about
our being master Of the Pacific, -
though there are ten other nations
bordering on it, is leading a part
Of our press and people to insult
and irritate other peoples with the
sense Of impunity in our impru-
dence which a huge navy lends.
We, as we'll as other nations have
found easy euphemisms to ease our
cOnsciences when using our mill
tary power to further our own ends.
We shall be far less likely to be
hot headed and rash, and to rush
into needless war if we do not in
crease our navy. 1t IS naive con-
ceit to say that we are so peace
ful and just that we never can be
tempted to wage a needless war.
The war with Mexico was fought
in the interest of slavery, and was
called iniquitous by General Grant !
who fought in it. Said Secretary !
Of State Sherman concerning the
Spanish War; eve could have ad- |
iusted our difficulties without the |
loss of blood and treasure. - Said /
Congressman BOutelle, president |
Mckinley, if Congress had left the
matter to him, would have secured
everything we wanted in Cuba
the sacrifice Of one drop Of
or Spanish blood"
10. Because our navy is already
50 large as to incite other nations
% increase theirs. Our naval in
,rease was quoted last year in the
French Assembly as an argument
or a French increase. This sense
ess rivalry is driving certain would
,e customers Of ours towards bank
uptcy.
20. Because increase of our
lavy does not increase respect of
oreigner for US. Respect can be
-iven only to moral qualities. Our
to lawlessness and our ,
ivic corruption are well known
broad. We have no more moral
influence than we had thirty years
go when every monarchy in Eur
pc was beng sapped by our de-
1ocracy. Plutocracy and militar- '
sm make us talked of, and dread I
d but not respected. Many, per 9
APPS, are glad that we are being I
ampered in our race for CONNER a
ial supremacy by saddling our {
elves with the Old World $ mill !
lry burden. /
2I. Because our dignity no I
lore depends on battleships than
pom light houses or fire engines c
We should feel pride if we are safe v
1ough to dispense with a few. A c
city built of stone reioices v
lat it does not need our costly fire 5
pparatus. A large navy is a con- a
ssion Of conscious weakness or V
t
p. Because increase Of the
lvy is an implication that new .
lngers are in sight and old friends :
e to be suspected. 1t arouses y
valry and irritation with other ma
Ons. The two nations today who
e the most armed are in the most
niger of fighting. Just as Ger v
any's and England's increase of $
wal power mutually irritates each a
her, so Japan 5 military skill has p
irred the emulation of our jingoes, y
asking themselves under the con- !,
tied plea that we are par excel i,
nee the peaceful people of the Il
Orld and can do no wrong with Ia
II navy. S
%. Because "a decent respect ca
+ the opinion Of mankind to be el
ore and more the controlling mo-
-e of nations as of individuals. ,s
navy is but a small element in IN
T defence even from foreign foes, is
say nothing of defence from our &C