The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1916-11-28
THE PEACE OF AMERICA

absurd theories nave Deen aOVan-
ced to explain the cause Of the
European war which is devastat
ing the old world, creating hun
dreds of thousands Of young wild
ows, and leaving millions Of faith
erless children.
Some say the war was brought
about by the Emperor of Germany
because he wanted world power,
and emulate, or perhaps surpass,
the great Napolean, Of the past
century. Others say that COM
mercial extension was desired; a
few that it was the outcome of
the Franco-German war, wherein
France lost her most fertile de-
partments, alsaise-Lorraine the
loss Of which she has never forgiv-
en- her adversary while othter
charge Great Britain with bring
ing the war aboun in order to
g check the expansion of Germany
Not a few Of the leading scien-
lists, statesmen and great men Of
affairs contend that the war was
inevitable. That Europe was top
heavy with ever increasing arm
aments, for which the people were
being numerically taxed, that
there had to be a safety valve
somewhere.
Several writer's have contend
ed that the socialist party in
Prussia had reached dangerous
numbers, and had assumed an at
titude that endangered the per-
manence of the Hapsburg dyn-
asty, and forecasted that another
decade would remove from the
throne the present royal family
to be replaced by some republican
form Of government In order to
offset such influence it is stated
the German Emperor, having Aus
tria under his thumb used the as
sassination Of the heir apparent
as torch to set alight the powers
of the militarists Of Europe
guageing Alright that only an op-
portunity was wanted for them to
spring at each others threats in
the most terrific conflict ever
known.
Be that as it may the thirst fol-
blood has gained such headway
that the Kings and princess Of the
land are powerless to stop, an6
the future only can tell what will
be the ultimate result, or the con
stitution Of Europe at the end O
the war.
Will the peoples of the ole
world look to the American con
tlnent for example whereby to re
construct their own lands. Ma,
not their eyes wander, even dur
ing the terrors of their blood,
conflicts, to this hemisphere, an
determine to copy the peaceful
conditions existing here, eliminat
ing the useless mOnarchial rule
which has never done anythin
but bring sorrow and sufferin
upon the masses of people.
Terrible as this war has beer
who knows but that it may be tn
forerunner Of an era Of peace fc
the peoples Of Europe, the coul
tries to be at peace and harmon
with one another, patterned ate
the conditions existing betwee
the United States and Canada.
DR.. James A. Mcdonald, editt
OF the Globe, Toronto, Canad
who has been in this state atten,
ing the opening ceremonies of tt
Flora Macdonald College of Re
Springs, and, in address befol
the University Of North Carolin
very conciscly stated the exact r
lations between these two cou
tries, as follows:
-Four thousand miles of North
Americas international boundary
between the United States and
Canada Four thousand miles
where nation meets nation, where
interest touches interest, where
flag salutes flag, where sovereigni-
ty answers sovereignty; four thou
sand miles with never a fortress