Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-12-12
There Must be no More War.

What will evolve from the great Peace
Conference soon to convene in France,
to settle all the many questions that will
arise from the late war in Europe? One
fact stands out most prominently: There
must be no more war.
1t is apparent 10 the world, and has
been from the first, that there was not
tho slightest occasion for the terrible war
that has so devastated Europe. now
happily brought to a close No matter
what significance may be attached to
various incidents that led TO the preclpi-
Eation Of the conflict, it is clear that the
war was forced by Germany, with the
purpose Of, first, the domination OF Eu-
rope, and next, the domination OF the
entire world by conquest OF our country
Happily, the test did not come to this
end Bv our intervention We quickly
ended the war BY smashing Germany ;
urcat military machine and bringing her
TO her knees in acknowledged defeat
In the course Of All address deli' cred
before the war had come TO close
United states Senator John Sharp WI
lians Of Mississippi one Of tie ablest and
most patriotic public men in the country
said The United states ard Great
Britain can naintan League Of Ma
tions even # other nations refuse 10
have part IN 1t We can agree that any
civilized nation that makes war upon
another without first submitting the
questions n controversy 10 en- arbltra-
tiona tribunal shall be outside the pale
u ci1 iiizatlon: that the freedom to operate
on the high seas shall be denied to her;
4hat access TO the raw materials and
markets which the two nations control
shall bc denied 10 her: and IN that way
We can keep peace n the world for a
hundred years, if W only have the cour-
age to do I.
No question will be raised as to the
correctness OF this conclusion. Our coun-
trv and Great Britain, combined. could
maintain the peace of the world, even
II we had TO fight for Il But there are
many reasons for believing that after
the unsettled internal conditions IN the
MANY States of Europe are Strengthened
out. and stable governments established
in accordance with what may seem 10
be real public sentiment, the peace of the
world will be assured by the potent fact
that none OF the nations could afford
10 enter upon the uncertain and costly
experiment of war.
=. 10. ? hot
country. and possibly Japan, are the only
two countries In all the world that could
afford, from q financial point Of view
to even indulge in dreams OF costly war
Certainly, our people have no desire for
anv more war, and there Is no reason to
believe that Japan has any idea OF ven
turing upon such an indulgence. As TO
the other nations they could not afford
II. England has incurred q vast war
debt-she is indebted 10 our country to
the extent Of about SIX billions. France
is practically impoverished Italy, also,
will have TO face grave financial problems
brought forward by the enormous cost
OF the war. Germany viii be kept with
half century, in order to meet the costs
OF the war which her Junker rulers so
ruthlessly forced upon Europe The South
American countries, while they might
war among themselves although happily
this does not seem iinmlnently prob
able-are not in position to bring about
9 world conflict al arms
Aid so we may now take 70 ourselves
the assuring and most comforting belief
that the world will be secure from war
for many wears after the peace arrange
nlents following the recent war shall be
sgeed upon. promulgated and enforced.
And why should there be any thought Of
war. in these days? War is bloody and
brutal destructive not upbuIldlng. II
is absolutely Incompatible with ciyiliza-
ton, and especially with Christianity.
Indeed, during the past four Years of
blood and destruction through which the
world has passed-more horrible than
of any similar period ia all the world :
history the question has arisen m
many practical and serious minds OF
what avail Is Christianity, after us nearly
two thousand wears Of enlightenment,
progress and general bette. ment. i such
thing could come to Dass?
Fortunately, however, the 'uture il
bright it'll promise There is much
work to be done in distracted and dis
t,ubed Eu ope before normal conditions,
and conditions good for the people can
be restored. But the governments OF
Great Britain, France and Italy are in
tact. and they will have much influence
In the work Of tpbuilding and rcconstruc-
tiou. In time, order and regular govern