The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1911-07-13

W@ time in the worlds history,
when civilization might be
supposed to have repressed
the primitive lust for blood and plum.
der, the alarmist has only to lift his
voice in congress to Danish tranquility
from our bosoms.
Millions are given to promote the
cause of universal peace. Yet the ma
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, 900 900 on her navy. The
United States Is warned that in no
long time Germany will GUST 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. 1t was a
troublous time. The great nations
were locked in a death struggle; bat
tie fields ran with blood; violent
schlsms 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 q TOO peaceful a nation" he
said, 90 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 it 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 its 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 n coal sup
ply In the event of war?
Notwithstanding the greatly increas.
ed cost Of naval construction, which
was introduced with the Dreadnought
type, the government has during some
years followed the practice of laying
down two battle ships annually. The
appropriations for the five years end
ing June 30, 1911. reach 1898, 727, S61,
as against s131, 971. S77 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 1856 guns and having a dis
placement of 717.702 tons. Germany
comes next, with 200 vessels, carrying
100 guns and having a tonnage of $685.
035.
Many Fighting Monsters.
At the present time England and
america have four Dreadnoughts each
of about equal tonnage. Germany has
three and Japan one. But Germany,
which formerly built spall battle
ships, has turned to Dreadnoughts in
an attempt to overcome E~ngland's
great read. 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