Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1911-07-27
80 w AIRS and rumors of war die
wv hard. Even at this late
WV time In the worlds history,
when civilization might be

AMA hard. Even at this late
time In the worlds history
wv 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
tons of Europe compete with each
other for the privilege of bearing the
heaviest burden in the way of modern
Rrmaments. 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 flrst-class battle ships. Russia is
said to be contemplating the expendi-
ture Of $30O,000,O00 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 bv
his emperor to investigate the merits
Of the Christian religion. 1t was a
troublous time. The great nations
were locked in 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 nation" he
said, ito be adapted to the Christian
aith."
Peace Dove Is Elusive.
1t is possible to believe that this
hrewd Oriental had not made a pro
ound study of Christian ethics; but
It least he had seen that during some
of acceptance it had not
vailed to put an end to the horrors of
var. Perhaps the essence of the thing
better understood today, and yet
70 would be an optimistic prophet
Sho should declare that the era of
nbroken peace had dawned.
The country was recently warned
hat It's standing army is inadequate ,
D repel foreign invasion. This was !,
let by the declaration that the sea is
till the nations impregnable bulwark.
nd that while the navy floats no hos ,
lie nation could land a force. What. :
len, is the condition of the Ameri- !,
an navy and what are its facilities in
le way Of naval base and coal sun :
y in the event of war?
Notwithstanding the greatly increas-
cost of naval construction, which
as introduced with the Dreadnought
pc, the government has during some o
ears followed the practice of LAYING h
'wn two battle ships annually. The Il
for the five years end h
g June 30. 1911. reach S593. .727S6f. G
against s1S1,971.s77 for the preced- o
g fve-year period This program o.
is placed the American navy in the al
cond place with a total of 1872 ships Il
rrying 1876 guns and having a dis T
acement Of 7177O2 tons. Germany R
mes next, with 2O9 vessels, carrying 81
0 guns and having a tonnage of 666.- W
5. W
Many Fighting Monsters. VI
At the present time England and pl
nerica have four Dreadnoughts each al
about equal tonnage. Germany has
rec and japan one. But Germany.
iich formerly built small battle
ips. has turned to Dreadnoughts in re
attempt to overcome England's SO
lat lead, and when the present pro- Sc
am OF the nations has been carried in
she will stand second. Britain will hs
N have seventeen Of these monster eli