The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1910-05-21
SHALL WE DICTATE PEACE Or
REG FOR 1T?

ABltduOu lOT iuttltidtiOudl peace
and the court of arbitration with
we'll defined authority to enforce its
mandates. backed by the moral sup
port of the nations, party to the
compact, will meet with no opposi-
ton from any source; but. the propo-
sition to disarm must be coupled
with feasible plan for policing the
world by the civilized nations. With
Japan in the Pacific, burning for
territorial expansion and threatening
the integrity of China, as well as
our own island POSSESSIONS; with
China arming a horde OF mixed races
that may some day be the CONTROL
ing factor in Asia; the warlike Mo-
hammedans in Southeastern Europe
and Northern Africa always at en-
nifty with the white man, and the
buccaneer presidents OF Latin-Amer-
lea ready to enlist under any black
flag that promises prize money; to
talk OF America, England. Germany
and France breaking up their ships
and making sewer pipe of their 49,
inch guns. is the folly OF the age.
Our civilization must be protected,
as well as extended; and at present
our big guns are the only ambassa-
doris we can send which speak
Esperanto.
Il is not wildly extravagant to
dream Of the day. soon to come.
when the civilized cations of Eu-
rope and America will quit building
great navies; will enter into COM
pact and divide the high seas for
the purpose of policing them, jointly
influencing the lesser races against
aggressive measures, preventing tur-
bulence and holding open the ports
of the orient to the trade of the
world. Under such circumstances
the open door, and fair play will be
assured; the European nations will
not be so arbitrary and oficious in
their attitude toward their neigh
bors. and their word will bear the
stamp of sincerity, because the ex-
tended hand will not carry a sword
or the uniform OF diplomacy conceal
la coat of mail.
Japan can not, however, be ex-
Ipected to rush In TO any such ar
Management. and until she does,
America cannot AFFORD to expose her
Pacific coast to japanese artillery
Japan has an ambition TO emulate
the Monroe doctrine on the Asiatic
coast; she Is suspicious Of her big
white brothers; she is pulled up with
the spirit Of conquest.
On the other hand, there are in
fiuences at work, which will bring
about favorable conditions TO inter
national disarmament sooner than
we expect. Not the least OF these
is the oppressive war tax in times
OF peace. Another is the spread of
education and enlightenment. In
times OF war and great public ex-
element people undertake the bur-
dens of militarism with enthusiasm
and glory IN their share OF IL; but
when the excitement is over. and
they seek such pleasures as the
times OF peace AFFORD, they
demand more for their personal
comfort; taxes become oppressive;
the figures in the national budget
appsn them. Then II Is they see
great ships built, only TO go out of
date and be supplanted ny still other
larger and more costly armament,
and they writhe under the load.
Education but makes them writhe
the more, and presently they muir
muir; their murmurs grow into a
protest, their protests become a con-
cert and the sound OF their voices
inspires them to revolt. And that
is what will happen in Japan. and
in all Of Europe. In the meantime,
we can build with them, ship for
ship, and have money left when they
are bankrupt. Let us talk peace to
them and build a navy big enough
to blow their ships out OF the water.
A big man can accomplish more
good debating peace, than a little
man can begging for IL.