The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1913-05-23

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conflict in the Balkans,
Id the cost of the armed
~ peace maintained by the
nations not now engaged in war Is not
less stupendous.
Never before did the leaders OF
peace societies in all countries have
such financial arguments to direct
against the governments responsible
for the armed camps of the world.
The nations foremost in their prepare
tions for war have received new I'M
petus from the Balkan conflict, and
are increasing the already huge ex-
penditures for battleships, armies and
munitions of war.
Never before has the world seen
anything like the present situation.
Extra taxation In Germany, increase
of the reserves and length OF military
service In France, more than a quar-
ter Of billion dollars for battleships
In England, together with a big out
lay for airships-these are the symp-
toms of the war fever that holds Eu-
rope in its grip,
Even the most enthusiastic believer
In insurance begrudges the money
paid out as premiums, for which he
gets practically no return so long as
all goes we'll Is 1t any wonder then
that millions Of the governed all over
the world are protesting against the
tremendous assessments made upon
them by their governments to pay the
cost of insurance against war?
Those who advocate the present
enormous and annually increasing ex-
penditures for armament answer that
they are fully justified IL they serve
to keep the peace. Which is better,
they ask of the disarmament advo-
Gates, taxes for armament or the
risk of the nations prosperity and
even its existence, by exposure to at
tack through unpreparedness for war?
Which is preferable, diversion of
part OF the national revenues to pay
for armies and warships, or the de-
struction of property and the loss of
life inevitable II war should come
upon the unprepared? Certainly, the
fact that within little more than a
year the world has seen two wars in
the Mediterranean goes far to refute
the assertion Of the peace advocates
that war is at an end and armament
therefore unnecessary.
Considering the fact that they hold
brief for those In favor OF the aboli-
ton of war preparations, 1t is not,
after all. 80 strange that figures OF
the cost of armed peace are most
available at the headquarters of the
peace societies. Not that the war and
navy departments at Washington do
not keep a careful record Of their own
expenditures, and also keep in touch
with what other nations are doing;
but the men intrusted with the re-
sponsibllity of preparing the United
States against war are more con-
cerned with what other armed ma
tons have than with what 1t costs
them. Therefore, 1t has remained
largely for the peace advocates to
collate the figures and dress them W
as impressively as possible.
Their figures are impressive enough
without any innocently intended pad
ding. To begin with they present the
stupendous, incomprehensible sum Of
S2,250, 100000 as the combined annual
expenditure OF all the civilized nations
for ornaments in time of peace. This
vast sum takes no account Of the cost
of putting Europe on It's present wal
footing or of the cost of the recent
Turco-Italian or the present Turco
Balkan war.
One could make many comparisons