The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-06-14
The Christ of the Andes
RY Or. FRANK CRANE
Copyright 1918. by Frank Crane)


ON the crest of the Andes. on the
boundary line between chill and Argen-
tina, is colossal bronze statue of Jesus
Christ. twenty-SiX feet high. In his left
hand is cross; his right hand is ex-
tended in blessing.
II is monument TO the conclusion of
eternal peace between the two countries.
Below the figure are two tablets. One
recouutS the story Of the monument.
l'pon the other are these words:
sooner shall these mountains crum-
bic into dust than shall the people of
Argentina and of Chill break the peace
10 which they have pledged themselves
at the feet of Christ the Rcdeemer.'
Now that the whole world seems to
De going mad, and the slumbering virus
Iof miltarism is bursting forth in its per-
feet venom. il cools the tcvcred eye and
lends q ray of hope 90 the distracted
heart 10 turn To this one spot of reason
upon the globe, 10 this CLEAN of sanity
upon planet wrapped in clouds of homi-
.cidal insanity.
Previous to 1902 the two neighbor
nations were going the way Of all war
obSeSSed peoples. They were IN constant
dispute over the boundary line Instead
of settling the matter like civilized peo-
pie they were armiug, drilling soldiers,
increasing navieS. adding financial bur
deus 90 the citizens until the tax amount
ed TO - per capita.
Al last-God knows why-by mira
Gle perhsps-they agreed 10 submit the
question TO the King Of England. He
.t.raA N. }arr... hnt ,rpppru1 az
Sfacton The two dlsputant nations
signed treaty OF peace agreeing to
settle all their differences 10y arbitra-
ton
Then came the women and the good
priests. and created wave of sentiment
that resulted in the imposing memorial.
How il happened that the Christians
Iof these two land, alone had any idea of
what hrist stand, for, while apoState
ministers and religious leaders all over
the world We're praying for victory
and blessing arms and otherwise pollut-
ling the name OF Jesus With preaching
lnloodlu and informal cruelty in the
| name of patriotism is not known
All honor 10 Bishop Benavente of
Argentina and Bishop lara OF Chill. who
lin a campaign OF Journcyings and
speeches urged their people 10 this sub
| lime conclusion,
What has happened? Have the Chilians
and ArEentinans for lack Of bloody meat
sunk back into the slough Of mollycoddl-
ism? Have they been smitten by that
Lord who Is partner with the kaiser and
prlyy counsellor 10 the ear and friend
Fl all robustious supermen, have they
been smittcn with the botch Of Egypt,
and with the cmcrDds. and with the scab,
and with the itch, whereof they cannot
be healed. so that they shall be only
oppressed and spoiled eyermore, and no
man shall save them %
Doubtless they should have been, ac-
cordiug 90 the modern gospel that inter-
prets patriotism in terms Of unreason,
race hate. and frightful destruction. But
! they we're not.
They sold their battleships and put
their money 10 creative and not destruc-
tive purposes Soldiers, idling in bar
racks, were sent back to till the fields.
| Taxes were lowered Roads and harbors
have been improved. The arsenal at
! Chilli has become school house.
Best Of all the heart-broken Christ has
some coign Of vantage undesecrated by
! his hypocritic followers, and from his
| .Ofty shrine can look out upon a hate
torn world and cry:
40 people of earth, how often would
have gathered thy children together,
even as a hen Rathereth her chickens,
and yc would not Behold, your house is
left unto you dcsolatep