The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-10-28
RIDDLES EATON'S
CLAIM OF WARS BENEFITS
Stanford's Head Says Poverty
and Woe Are Biggest Re-
suits Of Conflicts.

BosToN, Oct. 27.-"Every time I read
or hear Of some n saying that war
IL a blessing II makes me tired en-
claimed DR.. David Starr Jordan. presl.
dent emeritus OF Leland Stanford univer-
sity. 20 n reporter for THE SUN at the
Hotel Bellevue last evening. DR.. Jor-
dan was retiring early because he
planned to start for Amherst early this
morning. but he gave a deep sigh as
he stretched his lengthy self out on his
bed as II he had been rendered mentally
snd physically weary by what the Rev.
DR.. Charles A. Eaton OF the Madison
Avenue Baptist Church. New York. said
on Sunday about the benefits derived
from warfare.
Yes. I glanced at the newspaper ac-
counts OF DR.. Eaton's sermon" continued
DR.. Jordan. but I did not read II care
fully. The headlines convinced me h a
II would be merely an argument along
the same lines Of reasoning have
heard before. would like to meet DR..
Eaton In Joint ebate on this subject
and I guarantee that before ! got
through with him be would not a a
leg to stand n.
Just let me say this. young a a
war fought TO an end takes everything
a nation has In Ike and money. The
good that comes from II Ia very small
compared Will what would come from
the same amount OF energy devoted to
constructive work. which is only possible
In peaceful times. Peace In not merely
a cessation OF war. for war is the blind
and blank denial OF all opportunities for
the advancement that peace gives.
There Is a certain exaltation In war
among good people just as there is In
times OF pestilence and shipwreck, but
IL has no enduring life. War also in
destroying good institutions may take
the bad ones too and tlrere Is sometimes
an effective reaction against war
Confederate View Of War.
"a Confederate officer once said TO
me 4 am glad that slavery IL gone {:
that the Union is restored and that we
have free schools and democracy in
Virginia. But Tor war ms war there is
not one single word to be said
II have been studying the causes n
effects Of war very closely since 1908.
! have been In Europe several times and
In 1913-1& saw the way things were
drifting. but thought the business inter
ests would put a stop TO 1t Just as in
1911. when the German bankers would
not permit a fight over Morocco.
Now why does DR.. Eaton Say that
war is Il blessing? ! read tonight
that 5000. 900 Teutons have been sacri-
need so far. The Losses OF the Allies
have also been great. The best man
hood Of the warning nations Is being
truck down. leaving the weaklirgs to
become the fathers of the future gen
erations. How has this war regenerated
the Russian people? Does the temporary
prohibition OF sale of liquor compensate
for the slaughter OF three millions OF
men?
"Dr. Eaton says that war has added
generations OF lilo to the British Em-
great ever struck the British Empire
million OF men so far. The university
and most of the hale and hearty
have all son to the slaughter and left
the physically weak. the d~egenerates. the
men OF the slums TO become the father.
of the next generation.
England had not begun 10 recover
from the losses in India and South
Africa when the present war started.
seed Is the harvest. and the human
harvest will be inferior because the best
nave been destroyed and the weaklings
remain to become the parents. This
will be notably true in Scotland, whore
every energetic young Scotsman rushed
TO the recruiting offices when the first
call came. The Spanish have a pruverb
Lions breed lions. Brave men have
brave sons. and brave men are dying
This war has not elevate us any or