Omaha daily bee., 1915-01-23
World Hope Of
Permanent Peace


Mo ONE can know when this war wifi end. yet
~ every one in the whole world Is yearning
his heart for the day OF peace to arrive SO ask
ourselves OF what nature will that peace BET And
how shall It be permanently secured? And this self
questioning leads 20 many fond delusions.
Because for the normal yearning for end TO
dangerous conditions. and while the whole world
is still stunned by the spectacle Of five hundred mill
lion people at war, few super-optimists find breath
TO say that there will be another great
and that the silver lining the clouds is the
probability Of disarmament partial complete. after
the nations of Europe and Asia SHAH have fought
themselves TO safety. victory, defeat the
may be-
But this hope is 30 misleading. its indulgence
vain. and yet nstura that IL seems proper. even
at this indeoisive stage OF the conflict, to point out
some Of the reasons why anything approaching gen
era disarmament cannot take place.
The term disarmament is apt to be used vaguely
to represent anything from the mere cessation OF
naval construction and army -ncrease programs
to that purely ideaistc condition when banners would
be furled standing armies be dispersed their homes
and vessels be transformed into commercial
craft, remain dsmantled. interesting relics
oh benghted past.
The latter state is manifestly impossible 70
expect. least within many decades. that It may
be promptly dismissed from consideration. To men,
ton only few OF the martial objections: There are
millions OF men who substantially untitled by
education experience, or temperament for any other
profession than that OF arms on lanu or at sea-
Society industry and commerce have long since
adjusted themselves to their existence a major
police force. and to attempt to thrust them suddenly
into peaceful pursuits would create little disturb
Professional fighters could not be expected
TO take quietly TO idleness. pay.
would they be content to be regarded peu-
sloned-off appendages OF a baser social state.
Then the preparation OF all nations for war
during periods OF peace has created vast industries
official and private. largely dependent upon the
listing armies and navies being maintained and even
increased Enormous amounts Of capital invested
in such plants and hundreds of thousands of work
men would be thrown out OF employment. should gem
eral disarmament be suddenly attempted. The ex-
preston general disarmament is used because
manifestly. nation nations will begin It unless
all do.
In hundred ways, of which only one or two *
amples have just been cited the constant posi-
blty OF and its consequence, preparations for
war. have become interviewer with the worlds
entire social and economic fabrics to render any
radical departure from present conditions highly
improbable
Enough has been said, then to indicate that by
disarmament" serious advocates OF the plan,
must be meant state nearly approaching the
one first mentioned; that lie. virtually limitation
OF ornaments basis acceptable at least to
the leading nations OF the world II this be what
Is contemplated the plan Is already doomed to fall
ure, for the simple reason that such thing a any
binding agreement In such matters national safety
and advantage has been conclusively shown to be
farcical Even II the nations could. by some divine
chasenins process the relative strengths at
which their armies and navles to be maintained,
II must be remembered that standing armies and
warships only the first line Of offense. the cuo-
striking force, and that there dozen ways In
which nation successfully prepare for war
without actually calling a single additional to
the coors adding unit to the navy until hos
tlities had been actually declared.
Whatever stupendous changes occur in the political
and social systems OF the world result OF the
present II IL safe to prophesy that general dis
armament will not be OF them. Is the world,
them, TO be left notwithstanding the uuterable suf-
ferings and losses OF modern war; exposed after
longer shorter respites to constant repettions of
substantially the tragedy?
This question is the vital and important one
that enlightened mankind faces today. The present
Il here. and should peace ensue night, its
material effects will be felt for half century or
more, say nothing OF It's rreparabe other
directions. But great is this calamity II viii be
dwarfed by the losses and hardships OF the future
unless be devised whereby the prob
ability OF its be at least vastly d.
minished.
IL not by disarmament. how then shall this end
be sought? Treaties. conventions, and the &C
| cepted law OF nations have been shown to be in
| adequate 10 preserve peace. They not self
| executing. Indeed many treaties and declarations
1 have proved and proving a fruitful source OF
dscord between both belliserents and neutrals.