Omaha daily bee., 1910-09-06
Things You Want to Know W" Gsra n%sf Fsn ana

dltion today That The greatest war Of
history so far as the number OF men en-
gagged and the amount OF money spent is
concerned. was caused by greed Both
Japan and Russia wished 70 possess them
selves Of defenseless Korea for entirely
selfish purposes The Koreans would have
suffered as greatly, and their Independence
would have been terminated as completely
IL Russia had won. The significant feature
OF this bit Of history. finally contaminated
only the other day, is that both Japan and
Russia went into the war solemnly avow-
ing the single purpose OF preserving the In
independence and integrity OF Korea. This
shows that diplomatic assurances are TO
be taken only for what they are. most
generally lies.
Therefore II Is wholly unnecessary to
consider the fact that both German and
British diplomsusts deny emphaueally that
there is even the slightest reason to sup
pose that Germany and England will come
70 blows. They would continue these de-
malls In spite of the truth, until within
one minute Of solar time OF the transmits
sion Of the sudden ultimauou with which
the war will begin. II IL does begin. In all
matters even remotely concerning the hor-
rible business Of war, Il is the honorable
part OF the honorable diplomausts to de-
ceive II they are not successful in de-
Opumists pooh-pooh the possibility OF a
war between the German and the British
empires on the ground that civilization has
advanced so far that In this enlightened aga
It 10 impossible for two great countries to
go to war merely on suspicion, or for the
base purpose OF gaining territory. Yet II u
only forty years since Prussia humbled
France and exacted indemnity OF $1,000
| 900 besides taking much valuable ter-
| rttory. 1t is only a decade since Great
| Britain fought a tremendous war in South
Africa TO eNtnguish the national existence
Of the Boer republics. 1t is only twelve
years ago that the United States began q
war Of unselfishness 10 free the Cubans
and ended by stripping spain Of its every
colony. 1t is only six years ago that Japan
and Russia fought terrible war for q
prize to which neither of them had the
slightest legal or rtghttln claim,
1 And now, with our civilization at its high-
est and the tide still rising. the last four
years has witnessed the sad and shameful
spectacle of every considerable nation in
the world doubling, TRIPPING and quadrup-
ing it's expenditure on the machinery Of
murder. The advocates Of arbitration are
more numerous and respectable than they
ever have been before, but they are unablu
to influence a rational Legislature in
single one OF the principal nations Of the
earth. Russia and Japan, instead of de-
creasing taxes after the war, actually
doubled the special war taxes in order TO
get ready for other wars. England and
Germany exponents OF the highest type Of
European civilization are facing bank
3 ruptcy because they ara preparing for q
2 war. Even Argentina and Brazil have
5 Joined in the mad game of Dreadnought
= building
a The United States, peaceful and demo-
s cratic republic. is spending more every
Y year on It's military establishment than
j does imperial Britain or military Germany,
The Americans do not feel the burden 50
3 much because they have so much more
: wealth. Even China, having a civilization
J. older than that Of any other country ia
y the world. is forsaIdng It's peaceful tradiA
8 tons and is making pitiful efforts to equip
t an army in the hope Of withstsnding the
e thievish and numerous expeditions sent
: against It by the greedy nations which
n pretend to be worshipers of the Prince Of
n Peace.
= Greed still rules the world and greed IN
). turn is controlled by the financiers. II Is
n the great bankers OF the great money cap
: itals of Europe who alone can answer
r with confidence the question; WIN England
d and Germany fight? II the financiers Of
! England conclude that German trade
h rivalry is a real and not a fancied menace
8 to British trade, then there will be fight,
v II the financiers OF Germany decide that
Britain must be humbled In order TO make
r way for the advancing cohorts Of CONNER
9 cal Germany. then there will be a fight
II the fnancers Of either nation beoome
convinced that the democracy OF theiI
country Is about to abolish the special
privileges OF the wealthy and aristooratic
classes. then there will be a fight
!. VIII England and Germany fight7 Time
a alone can say. But the fact that oceans
Of ink are being spilled in attempting te
I answer the question, and that such a ques-
ton can be asked in seriousness. is enough
a TO cause every thinking man TO blush with
: shame for the failure OF our boasted Tween.
i tieth Century civilization.
e BY TRBDERIO J. HAsKIN.
e Recommendations Veterinary Sur
= Reona.