Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-02-06

There are various reasons why the United States should
not contract the disease Of large aGnamenS. 1t is con-
tagous disease and with which the news of the present
day nfecS certain classes OF our citizens, says Isaac
Sharpless president of Haverord college, IN recent adj
dress.
These classes are composed of () those who are
nected with the army navy who give their time and
scientific knowledge to the study of the past and future OF
war: 2 those who directly or at secondhand expect to
profit commercially by an armed peace, and (3)
those Lonest patriots who really believe the various stories
OF expected attacks upon national integrity or pros
perty induced by the hate avarice of other nations
The first class is happily small due to our peaceful ira
ditionS Its members are however active and IN proper
zion to their numbers Influential They have developed
their subject into of considerable interest and Scien
fic expansion They are intelligent and mostly sincere
and patriotic The second class need have little conSidera
ton They are as many Americans after business prot
its and the preaching OF the doctrines OF war pays they
will use their great influence upon public opinion through
the press fill their private Golfers There are more OF
them in the aggregate than one generally recognizes
The third class is made up of men who open to
Nicton and will ultimately determine the question The
following considerations may appeal to of them:
1t is not likely that any of the nations now at war in
Europe will be ready to attack the United States for
era decades In the meantime any guns or gunboatS we
choose to make will be anuquated and dead loss These
nations let the war eventuate as 1t WILL Will be burdered
with fearful taxes with crippled industries, with abun
dan memories Of the horrors of the battlefield and the
suffering of the noncombatant part of the population
Nothing but the most fagrant attack by u.s. combina
ton of conditions which forSee could induce
one or group of them to enter upon the tremendously
expensive and probably uncertain and unproftabe task
of expedition against the United States For hundred
years except for the farcca Spanish naval journey to the
West Indies there has been attack and during the
most of this time preparations have been far less ade
ouate than nOw
Nor is there any more danger from Japan. Everyone
who has felt the temper of the Japanese government and
people is that neither interest nor desire exists for
American war; war which would be without prospect of
final success and would break them down with financial
burdens they are in no condition to stand If we would
bring half the thought and influence to bear gov
enment to make it absolutely just and generous in our
treatment of other nations that of lis spend in fear
ful antcipatonS of what will never come we will be I'M
mune from war for generation ahead These conSidera
tons might induce at least to postpone our great eX
pendtureS till the lessons and the results of the present
war are more clearly seen.
Again if we, aS we hope shall some time in the near
future be able to act mediator and peacemaker among
the warning nations must approach the issue with
clean hands and free from the suspicion of uerior mo-
tveS We must say to them in a voice which they will re
Spect that we have nothing gain from them in the way
of territory national privileges We have only little
army for police purposes and navy not strong enough
for aggression We have made preparations to GRASP
anything for ourselves, We should if they wish willing
act arhiter simply provide the machinery for the
own negotiations We want for the good Of all peace re
stored permanent satisfactory basis and we hope Il
gain nothing for ourselves but the share of blessings
which will follow this eonvnmation Only in this way car
we do our duty