Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-10-10


For some months we have been hear
ing on all sides the cry of Peace!
Peace; but suddenly, the world is star
tied by the war between Italy and Tur-
key.
We have been told that the bankers
of the nations had it in their power to
constrain the nations to keep the peace
by refusing loans for war, and that
the commercial interests of the world
could not afford to allow wars. Undoubt-
eddy it is true that if the men of finance
will not furnish the money, a nation
can not go to war. 1t follows that Italy
must have some financial support in de-
claring war so rashly and suddenly. 1t
seems to Be a trade-war in fact. Markets
and merchants in Africa are the pro-
voking cause. Likewise the contention
between France and Germany seems to
be a controversy about trading ground
and financial interests in Morocco.
From all of which it is clear that
commerce is not a competent conservator
of peace of the world. Mammonism may
be militant or pacific las it's interests
may appear. We can not depend upon
the bankers to maintain peace
This war between Italy and Turkey
may bring on other conflicts. 1t may be
the beginning of the long feared "Eu-
ropean war;. If such should be the
outcome, the bankersfof London may be
arrayed against the bankers of Berlin
and st. Petersburg. We may be sure the
financiers who hold the bonds of. Tur-
key are not going TO sit down quietly
and see their securities put in jeopardy
by diminishing the power of Turkey to
pay them. In truth, ''the unspeakable
Turk" would have been driven out of
Europe long ago il he had not been
supported by European fnanciers Com
mercial interests within christian ma
tons are responsible for the continu-
ance of his power with all the cruel
consequences which have followed in
Bulgaria, Armenia, and elsewhere. 1t is
shame that it is true, but true it
is.
Why any one should dream a dream
of peace under the delusion that inter
national commerce will constrain uni
versal peace is beyond comprehension. A
peace that is based on selfishnesS can
never last longer than it is profitable to
the selhshness on which it rests. The
balancing of selfish interests in one
quarter of the globe against selfish in
terests in another quarter and calling
the arrangement the balance of power
sets peace on a pivot too uncertain for
mankind to depend upon it. Universal
peace can never be established on an
enduring foundation until it rests on
principles of right. and Justice which
are recognized as inviolable by all ma
tions. Nations which do not know what
is right, or knowing the right will not
do it, will have to be coerced in order
to make them behave themselves.
, The case of universal peace is not UNI
like the case of good order and peace
in a city If every man would do right
towar is his neighbor, there would be no
need of a police force; but as long as
some will commit theft and burglary
and arson and murder and rape cities
must have officers fully armed to ar
rest evil doors and compel them to OBJ
serve law Otherwise the peace-loving
and orderly citizens must submit to the
wrongs of the lawless and violent. In
like manner, if every nation Will do
right towards it neighbours, there will
be no need. of armies and navies to main
tain justice and preserve peace through
out the world; but if some will encroach
upon the rights of others and inflict in
Justice, there must be some where an
armed force to say to such unrighteous
nations, ''Your exactions shall cease, or
armed forces win punish you for your
wickedness."
And we may be sure there will be
such unrighteous nations as long as in
ternational policies are dictated by
selfish interests. Europe, and Asia
are populated. Room for colonies
and commerce is required. Hence the
movements in the direction of Africa.
Commercial interests brought on the
Boer war Commercial interests were
at the bottom Of the war between japan
and Russia. Commercial interests are