Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-10-28
Editorial Comment.
American Opinion.

Indianapolis News.)
In spite OF the procurement Of our
Navy League. we think that 1t may.
safely be said that the American peo-
pie regard war as an anachronism. In
the old days two nations, or a half
dozen nations might fight without seri-
ously injuring any one but themselves.
There were then no swift ocean steam
ships, no telegraph. no wireless, o.
railroads., no international finance or
exchange, and little foreign trade.
Nations were, to very large extent,
detached units. Nor ives industry
within their boundaries as highly or
ganized as 1t il today. There were
suffering. of course. and starvation and
pestilence. And there was the same
dreadful crop OF widows and orphans.
But since that time we have had
what we have proudly spoken of as
the victories OF peace, and many of
them. And each one was supposed to
make war less likely. This, Of course,
meant that when war came 1t would
be all the more terrible. Every one
of. these victories OF peace was sup
posed to bind the nations more closely
together-as Of course 1t did. And
thus war today breaks a dozen ties
where it broke, perhaps one q hun
dred years ago. The New York Times
is quite right in saying that Americans
not only favor peace, but will insist
on their right to express their opinion.
1t says:
Americans have no apologies to make
for holding and expressing opinions on
these grave matters. Our foreign COM
mr. ic raff ~
internal trade is depressed, our finan-
ces are deranged. our exchanges are
closed, and hard times have come upon
us in a year when renewed and great
prosperity was at hand. We seriously
object to having such sore burdens i'm
posed upon US because dypasties want
to defend their crowns because minis
tiers have planned seizures of territory,
or because emperors want to find
use for great armies, and with the
false splendor of military glory cheat
the people whose substance they have
taken to pay for the siege guns and
the keep of grenadiers. We have In
mind NO new proposals of mediation.
but we want to see the end of battles.
This, in fact, Is an industrial and
commercial age. And we have no
apologies to make for our adaptation
to the modern environment. I'VE ad-
nit" says the Times, that we like
making and selling better than killing
and being killed, but we admit 1t with
out spark of humility" Rather we
avow 1t with pride. For militarism,
and a military organization of society
we have nothing but contempt and
hate. A war in these times Is like a
brawl on your block--like 1t, 1t Is a
menace and a nuisance. There is not
a man or woman in the world who is
not suffering from the war in Europe.
In this country we are about to levy
s100,00O,000 Of new taxes. This. as
President Wilson said, is a veritable,
war tax though we are not at war. for
war. and only war, Is the cause OF 1t"
This is, in short, a modern nation,
with modern social organization and
modern ideals. Naturally, therefore.
our people. as the Times says. feel that
"a people at peace is more blessed than
a people whose best and bravest stand
in trenches shooting down their fell
lowmen and being blown to pieces
themselves" and that is why I'VE want
the peace treaties made at the end Of
this war to be firm covenants against
new wars