The Holbrook news., 1911-09-01

when civilization might De
 supposed to have repressed the primitive lust for blood and plum der. the alarmist has only to lift his voice in congress to banish tranquility from our bosoms.
 Millions are given to promote the cause of universal peace. Yet the na- tions of Europe compete with each other for the privilege of bearing the heaviest burden in the way of modern ornaments. England trembles at the thought of Germany; Germany. with her rapidly expanding commerce. leaps to the Dreadnought type of naval construction and increases her expenditures to overcome England's two-power lead Austria lays down four first-class battle ships. Russia is said to be contemplating the expendi- ture of $500. 100000 on her navy. The United States is warned that in no long time Germany will oust her from the second place upon the seas. Not the least important business of peace would seem to be the preparation for war.
 One is reminded of the ancient Chi nese sage who was sent to Europe by his emperor to investigate the merits of the Christian religion. It was a troublous time The great nations were locked in a death struggle; bat tie fields ran with blood; violent schisms sprang up and were sup pressed with slaughter; the continent was no better than a huge shambles. After the sage had looked his fill he returned to his emperor.
 China is too peaceful a nation" he said. "to be adapted to the Christian faith"
 Peace Dove Is Elusive.
 It is possible to believe that this shrewd Oriental had not made a pro found study of Christian ethics; but at least he had seen that during some centuries of acceptance 1t had not availed to put an end to the horrors of war Perhaps the essence of the thing Is better understood today. and yet he would be an optimistic prophet who should declare that the era of unbroken peace had dawned.
 The country was recently warned that it's standing army is inadequate to repel foreign invasion. This was met by the declaration that the sea is still the nations impregnable bulwark, and that while the navy floats no hos tile nation could land a force. What then, is the condition of the Ameri- can navy and what are its facilities in the way of naval base and coal SUD- ply in the event of war?
 Notwithstanding the greatly increas- ed cost of naval construction, which was introduced with the Dreadnought sype, the government has during some years followed the practice of laying down two battle ships annually The appropriations for the five years end :ng June 30, 1911, reach $593, ,727, ,861, -s against $131. .971.877 for the preced- ing five-year period. This program has placed the American navy in the second place with a total of 152 ships. carrying 136 guns and having dis placement of 717.7O2 tons. Germany comes next, with 209 vessels, carrying zoo guns and having tonnage of 666,- o35.
 Many Fighting Monsters.
 At the present time England and America have four Dreadnoughts each If about equal tonnage. Germany has shree and Japan one. But Germany, which formerly built small battle chips. has turned to Dreadnoughts in m attempt to overcome Ehgland's great lead, and when the present pro- gram of the nations has been carried out she will stand second. Britain will then have seventeen of these monster