Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-12-13
BLESSED WAR AND
HOW TO STOP 1T
Some Suggested Methods of Pain
less acknowledgements of
the Malthusian Theory Of Ma
tions-The Ford Joke

COME time ago a man named Nautilus wrote
- a book and promulgated therein theory
that has been pretty well rddled by shot and
shell, as the phrase goes, and hasn't yet fallen
down. Admiral Mahan wrote book in which
he suggested but didn't quite formulate a NAL
thusian theory of nations Nations must grow,
he said; It is the necessity of normal national
life expansion is sign of national health
I won't say of Admiral Mahan that he failed
to qualify these statements, but find in at
least Of his books suggestion which he
might have carried to its Mathusan conclu-
sion. AS population may outstrip the supply
of food. nations may exceed the limits of
empire There are only a certain number OF
square miles of the earth's surface, and yet
only one Freedom of the Seas. But 1t happens
that more than one nation wants the earth
India, to speak more conservatively, is coveted
by three imperially ambitious Powers. It hap
pens. also. that though Great Britain already
owns the Freedom OF the Seas, Germany is per-
fectly frank in saying that she would like that
commodity herself Obviously there are limits
to the supply OF empire. OF course. there are
vast regions lying waste in the neighborhood
of the two poles. but it's cold there and the
money returns not attractive.
A MaIthusian Omission
The Malthuslan solution of the food problem
was race suicide but we all know, since Colo
mel Roosevelt told us, that that is but
euphemistic term for social homicide. The
solution OF the empire problem by means of ma
tional suicide stands on no frmer ground. The
reduction of the number OF nations. illus
trated by the story of Germany and Belgium,
Is nothing less than international murder.
Nautilus when he wrote his book forgot en-
tirely about intensive agriculture. IL indeed he
had ard nf khara AvTuf In
estimablo possibilities in intensive empire
building. The United States seems to have
come to that conclusion. A nations reach
should exceed its grasp, what is honor for?
And that's condition that is purely psychology
ical. and hence beyond the bounds of interna-
tional law. Likewise beyond the bounds OF
international law is the condition existing in
Europe, which is filter subject for the allen
list than the psychologist.
There's a Roman anecdote that sums up the
whole matter very nicely though somewhat diff
ferentiy and somewhat better AS Bacon told
it here 1t is: Cineas excellent orator
and statesman. and principal friend and coun-
selor to Pyrrhus The king told him OF his
ambition to conquer Italy. Sicily. Africa and
Carthage. what then. slr?" said cineas Nay
then" saith Pyrrhus. I'VE take our rest, and
sacrifices and feast every day. and make merry
with our friends" ALAS, sir" said Cinsas
may we not do SO now, without all this ado?'
Discovery of Souls
Fighting for empire does seem fearful waste
Of time. to say nothing of the waste OF other
things
'"rhe nations at war" says Oxford scholar
''are discovering their souls" Blessed be warI
An exhumation OF souls The individual, in
this matter OF souls, is better off than the ma
tion. He, at least, is human. As an individual
unhampered by the demands of national inhu-
manity, his method OF waging war would be
painless. He would fight on some such plan as
that adopted In the absence of a commanding
orncer. by one Of the good Germans" as the
French In the trenches call some OF their
enemies. The story Is told in the Catholic oiti-
zen;
"A German priest visited the war front,
where he met a Bavarlan infantryman sitting
in deep hole.
THE soldier asked the priest for the loan Of
his field glasses. He then asked him to enter
the hole and watch him catch French euiras-
sier. While the priest looked French onieer
fell from his horse. The Rsyarian descended
from the tree ana caught TIE horse which was
on the point OF running away In the mean
time. the priest attended to the Frenehman,
whom the horse had dragged a short distance
Pastor haye no care the Bayarian said;
! have not hurt him.
In fact. the Frenehman waz only ancon-