The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-09-28
PRODc|OUS COST
OF EUROPEAN WAR
Divine FOresaW Great Conflict
Two Years Ago.
HIS PROPHECY FULFILLED.

One Year Has Cost Moro Than Esti-
mated Value Of All Property of
United States West Of Mississippi.
Would Pay National Debts of All
Nations.
Philadelphia Dr. j. Henry
'6mythe, editor, author, traveller, lee
Sersity, Tennessee, two years ago last
February made the following startling
prophecy while speaking at Knoxville:
"One hundred years or more ago Ma
poleOn, In the fiery flush of manhoods
morning, was master OF all France.
The Egyptian and the Austrian cam
paigns were over. Russia was invaded.
England was threatened. Spain was
lsubjugated.
''The whole continent Of Europe was
prostrate and paralyzed. Millions Of
armed men were In the field, and con-
Sflict and carnage ragged from the Tiber
to the Thames. But Nelson pounded
Napoleon on the sea, and Wellington
pounded him upon the land, and to-
agether they pounded him to pieces.
Elba and Waterloo were but the blood
stained stepping stones to st. Helena.
"If you will stand with me tonight
at the hinges of history and look along
the sky line Of current events you will
see that war Is simmering In every
tArsenal of Europe and every wave that
breaks upon the shore is red with
blood Yet Tientsin and Port Arthur,
Havana harbor and Manila bay were
but the shifting scenery, moved by the
hidden hand of God. in the awful and
amending tragedy OF time"
I'VE estimate the cash cost OF the
European war to Aug. /, 1915, at ST.
O00,OO0,0O0," says DR.. Smythe, while
other known losses will amount up to
make a grand total of $46000,000,00
No one can have even the faintest con
ception of what $i6,000000 may be.
1t IL four times all the coin IN the
world. III this sum were measured out
In twenty dollar gold pieces and they
were placed side by side on the rail-
cover with gold every line from New
York TO the Pacific ocean. the two
Canadian lines included. There would
be enough left over to cover each rail
of the Siberian railway from VladivOs-
tOk to Pctrograd. There would still
remain sufficient to rehabilitate Bel
gium and to buy the whole of Turkey,
at her own valuation. wiping her finally
= and forever from the map.
'-Or We may figure in some other
fashion. The average workingman In
America earns $51S per year. 1t would
take O0,OOO,OOO years work to pay the
cost OF the war up to date, or 10000, ,O0O
American laborers might pay 1t Off In
one year II all their living expenses
were paid.
The cost OF year OF the great war
n q little more than the estimated
value OF all the property of the United
Btstes west OF the Mississippi river.
7t b nearly equal to the total value OF
" al the property In Germany, $4S,OOO,-
lO0,OO0, as estimated In 1906. The
whole Russian empire. $35 200 600, 900
could have been bought for less sum
before the war began. 1t could be had
on q spot cash sale. more cheaply now
This sum would have paid for nj
tho property In Italy, $13.000,OOO 600
japan, $4,000, 600. 900; Holland, $1,000,
100000; Belgium, $1,000, 600 600; Spain
Sg6,000.OO0 900, and Portugal, 50 800, 600,
eco. 1t Is three times the entire ycarl,
earnings In wages and salaries OF the
people OF the United States, $l5,500
100000.
'.The first years cost OF this wal
would pay the national debts OF ali tn,
nations In the world mt the time tn,
war broke out. If al! the farms farm
ting lands and factories In the Unitet
States Were wiped out OF existence tn
cost OF this war would more than re
place them. If all the personal nnt
real property Of half our nation were
destroyed or If an earthquake Of In
credible Dimensions should shake dOwl
every house from the Atlantic TO th'
Pacific the waste would be less thai
that involved In this war up TO date
And such an elemental catastrophe
would leave behind II no costly legac.
OF hate.
~And then the aftermath-goo Goo
tho AFTERMATH