Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-09-06


Japan and Russia wished to possess
themselves OF defenseless Korea for en-
tirely selfish purposes. The Koreans
would have suffered 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 avowing the single pur-
pose of preserving the 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 diplo-
The Diplomatists' Part. matists deny
to Honorably Deceive. ,sa, .na,a :
even the slightest reason to suppose that
Germany and England will come to
blows They would continue these de-
malls, in spite of the truth. until within
one minute of solar time of the trans
mission of the sudden ultimatum with
which the war will begin, IL II does be-
gin. In all matters even remotely con-
corning the horrible business OF war, 1t
is the honorable part of hoTprable diplo-
matists to deceive. If they are not sue
cessful in deception they are failures in
diplomacy.
Optimists pooh-pooh the possibility of
war between the German and the
British empires on the ground that civili-
cation has advanced SO far that In this
enlightened age IL Is impossible for two
great countries to go to war merely on
suspicion, or for the base purpose Of gain
ing territory. Yet 1t is only forty years
since Prussia humbled France and ex-
acted an indemnity of billion dollars
besides taking much valuable territory.
1t rs only decade since Great Britain
fought a tremendous war in South Africa
to extinguish the national existence of
the Boer republics. 1t is only twelve
war of unselfishness to free the Cubans
and ended by stripping Spain of its every
colony 1t is only six years ago that
Japan and Russia fought a terrible war
for a prize to which neither OF them
had the slightest legal or rightful claim.
And now. with our civilizat ton at its
highest and the tide still rising, the past
four years has witnessed the sad and
nation in the world doubling, TRIPPING
and quadrupling its expenditure on the
machinery Of murder. The advocates CT
arbitration are more numerous and re-
spectacle than they ever have been be-
fore, but they are unable to influence a
national legislature in a single one OF
the principal nations Of the earth. Rus
STA and Japan, instead OF decreasing
taxes after the war. actually doubled the
special war taxes in order to get ready
for other wars. England and Germany.
opponents of the highest type of Euro
pean civilization, are facing bankruptcy
because they are preparing for war. Even
Argentina and Brazil have Joined in the
mad game of dreadnought building The
United States, peaceful and democratic
republic, is spending more every year
on its military establishment than does
imperial Britain or military Germany.
The Americans do not feel the burden so
much because they have so much more
wealth. Even China, having a civiliza-
ton Older than that of any other coun-
try in the world, Is forsaking its peace
full traditions and is making pitifui eff
forts to equip an army In the hope of
withstanding the thevish and murderous
expeditions sent against It by the greedy
nations which pretend to be worshipers
of the prince of peace.