The Washington herald., 1911-11-20
FAVORED
BY CARDINAL GIBBONS
Noted Churchman in Interview Points Out Horrors
of War and Necessity for Worldwide Peace

, truth Is that the most frightful sufferings
OF war are borne by the wives and chill
dren of those who fight in the field. The
bitter agony of their waiting and anxiety
is far worse than the mere physical hard
ships and sufferings of the armed men.
A wound to the loved one In battle strikes
more cruelty those who have to wait at
home Physical suffering usually dissi-
pates the fear of death. Men can suffer
and die bravely in the excitement Of war
but harder, much harder, to bear is the
moral agony of those who must wait
without power to help their dear ones in
danger.
THE financial side of the war, too.
has its strong aspect. 1t Is proper that
the world at large should have something
to say about quarreIs between particular
nations. The commerce Of nations is
now so involved and related that war
between two nations is an interference
with all nations. For instance, I have
$4,000 invested in German securities. Ger
many goes to war, and 1 must suffer,
although am an American citizen. In
ternational efforts to prevent war rest
upon equitable as well as humanitarian
rights. The result Of war is not only
a loss Of life, but also a partial paraly-
sis OF trade.
to grow cool Nations will not fight If
they have time to think. The penalties
and degradations of war are too great,
the agonies Of the weak and helpless, the
aged and other noncombatants are too
horrible, the waste of wealth, the de-
struction Of industry and commerce are
too vast, to be endured when there Is
a way to peace. I am in favor Of the
general arbitration treaty principle and
II he nF he
with Great Britain and France because
believe that questions which might
otherwise result in war should be first
taken away from the influence of party
politics and considered seriously in the
calm neutral air of some impartial tri-
bunal whose findings must at least NOR
ally bind the contending nations to sub
NIT to international arbitration all ques-
tons which may be found solvable ac-
cording to principles Of law or equity.
The worlds greatest need Is q break
water against temporary passions. War
is too horrible to be entered upon in
cold blood and with elaboration when
there is any other possible way to settle
the question in dispute"
Duel Long Obsolete.
Elm well-ordered society. the disputes
of individuals are settled not by recourse
be a blessing to humanity II national con-
troversfes were composed on the same
principles and that the Just cause Of
nation should be indicated by a court
of arbitration rather than by an appeal
10 arms? Then to rulers, as well as to
private litgants, could be applied the
words: Thrice is he armed that hath
his quarrel just And this amicable sys-
tenn, while protecting the rights of the
weak, would not humiliate or wound the
national pride of the strong, since 1t does
not attempt to trench on the sovereignty
or autonomy of any power.
Let US cherish the hope that the day
Is not far of when the reign OF the
Prince of Peace will be firmly established
on the earth, when the spirit of the
Gospel will so far sway the minds and
hearts of rulers that standing armies
will yield to permanent courts of arbi-
tration; that contests will be carried on
in the council chambers instead of the
battlefield, and decided by the pen in
stead of the sword.
IF We do not insist that before men
go to war they shall do everything in
their power to settle their dispute by
arbitration, then might becomes right