Carson City daily appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1907-1930, 1914-11-24
LOSSES BY THE WAR TO DATE

Roger W. Babon is writing for the New York Sun a series of
serts that the "a already has caused the greatest loss in history ever
produced by a The Crimean war and the Franco-Prussian war OF
1870 did not together cost as much as the present val had cost three
months after it began. Following are points in Mr.. Babsons article:
Whether the cost is s25oooOo per day or s5oOn"n per day is a
secondary consideration. We know that the rate of expenditure, the
loss of life, and the economic strain are infinitely greater than anything
have caused IS much loss and suffering to English, French and Rus
slams as the three years OF the Crmean war. Certainly the loss to
Prussian war.
This is due not only to the vast numbers involved and the huge
aeroplanes and various other modren inventions, Moreover, the pres
ent method of fighting in trenches dug by machinery not only in
creases the cost, but adds greatly to the development of rheumatism
douot that it tends toward shortening the "a If the armies 90 into
winter quarters and continue inactive, such a move will tend to length
en- the war, but every day of such terrible fighting as has taken place
during the past week must shorten its duration. In fact a study Of
statistics shows clearly that the belief of many that the wa will last
from three to FIVE years is utterly foolish.
Some people suggest that Germany is getting much relief financially
the tribute and supplies which it is securing from Belgium and a part
Of France A study Of statistics, however, quickly convnces n that
this cannot amount to much. The ordinary estimate 10 the cost of
the war to Germany varies from an official Berlin figure Of s5OoOGo
a day to a semi-oficia1 English estimate of Sl20o0Oo a day. Which
W figure is correct it will be seen tina. the recent warloan for a little
over a billion dollars will last only a few months, while the warlevies
collected IN Belgium are sufficient only for a few days For instance.
much mas been said about the wartax Of sloWUoo OF Brussels md OF
similar taxes upon other cities. A little figuring shows clearly that
according to Germanys official estimate all these m added together
would be sufficient to proong the "a only about a week.
"On the other hand, the capture OF large numbers OF able-bodied
male prisoners by any one country is a factor tending to pro1ong the
"a so ION as these captures are more o i@s evenly dNanee o"N
prisoners are of value not 50 much in handcapping the enemy as in
providing the country making the capture with workers for their fac
tories and fields while their W men are a a If Germany has
100000 able-boded prisoners, these. without doubt, have been put to
work, to take the place of Germans at the front, in mines, mills and
public improvements. Considering the fact that these prisoners need
not be paid and can be fed for a few cents a day, they are of much
economic value in enabling nations to pro1ong the war.
Figures show that at the present time nations containing about
1m00OONO people. or considerably I'VE one-ha1f of the entire human
race, arr participating in this var. Noting the fact that about Is pei
e OF this number are males of fighting age, we IN not hope that
the ar may be ended FOR the lack of men on the part OF any Of
the be1igerents. M. Leroy Beauieu, a well-known French saistiGan,
was asked the other day whether it would be possible for n nation
to carry o n the var with the whole of its adult male population of
military age in the field. He replied that this was done fifty years ago
by Paraguay in a al lasting several years against the Argentine re-
public; it was accomplished again by Beers in 1S9o-1o02 in their war
against Great Britain, and again in the recent Balkan wars. Not only
are the women and prisoners, the boys and girls forced into service,
but the neutral nations also supply laborers.
For instance, reports coming from France indicate that Spanish
laborers are already working in the vineyards, while with the Baltic
Sea still controlled by Germanys fleet, she is carrying on commerce
undisurbed with the countries o n the north. Hence, NJ. Beauieu
argues that SO long as the population is united by military ardor and
national sentiment and regards the a as just and holy, Germany
IA not be reduced by starvation. Therefore we cal O look o these
figures for optimistic prophecies"