The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1910-11-03
9crntunt 0Matthman.
A PEACE CRUSADE.

Congressman D. j. Foster, of this
State, has embarked upon most
praiseworthy enterprise in giving the
encouragement of his influence to the
new peace movement No statesman
could ask for a better cause and no
movement of the present day will re-
ceive greater praise from future gen
erations.
At the last session of Congress a
resolution was adopted which origi-
mated in the Foreign Affairs Commit
tee of which Mr.. Foster is chairman,
providing for the appointment by the
President of a commission of five MEM
bers who are to consider the eXpedi-
ency of utilizing existing information
al agencies for the purpose of limit
ing the ornaments of the nations of
the world by international agreement,
and of constituting the combined ma
vies of the world an international
force for the preservation of univer-
sal peace.
Mr. Foster VIII speak on this sub
ject before the Commercial Club of
Boston on Nov. II, and he will speak
later on the same topic in New York,
Chicago, St Louis and before the fac
ulties and students of the University
of Illinois and Dartmouth College
While he was in Mexico as a spec
ial ambassador in attendance upon the
centennial celebration of the indepen-
dence of our sister republic he held
an extended conference with Senior
Creel the Mexican Minister of Foreign
Affairs, who was enthusiastic over the
subject of international peace.
1t is imperative. however, if this
movement is to succeed. that the
United States, Great Britain, Germany,
France Russia Austria, and Japan
enter into an alliance regarding dis
armament, providing, of course, suffi-
cient land and naval forces for inter-
national police purposes.
The possibilities of good that might
be accomplished with the hundreds of
millions of dollars poured out every
wear for military and naval purposes
are almost beyond the power of the
human imagination to grasp. Higher
education might be made free to the
moor. tuberculosis and other dread
diseases might be practically ABOLISH
ed. The country might be gridironed
with a system of good highways. In
ternational disarmament is not Wis
ionary and impractical scheme. Moth
ing could be more business like and
of with
drawn from productive employment,
part of them stationed on battle
shius each of which cost many mil
lions OF dollars and last only about ten
wears. as a result of remote posi-
bility t1at an international dispute
will be settled by bloodshed, is not
an economic policy. The most power
ful guns. and the most skillful offl-
GERS win battles, but they do not win
Victories for the right any more than
does the strong armed bully in a
street brawl
An international court is no more
a violation of the rights of nation
than is court of law violation OF
the rights of the individual. In fact
il is the only possible method or Sc
curing actual justice. Every nation
should welcome the opportunity OF es-
caoir from the awful burden Of mil
itarism that is crushing the nations
of Europe. With the swift develop
ment 0t ac"ial navigation ii will be
only d short time before we must build
costly fleets of airships unelss the
nations agree not to enter upon this
new extravaganza.
1t is earnestly to be hoped tina Am
RIGA may ener upon this new policy OF
applied Christianity with all serious
ness so that even in cur own day we
may be able to divert the great stream
of revenue now being used for wa
PURPOSES into channels that will MAKE
the people Of this md other nations
wiser, healthier and happier than they
are tOdaV