The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1922-11-30
THE CURE FOR WAR.

Nihis sermon, recently deliv
cred by Rev. Hoffman from hi
pulpit in the Community church
in this city, covers a big subiec
so well that we think all Herald
readers will appreciate having
access to it, and it is particular,
lily in order at this season OF
peace and good will. y
And | viii give peace in the
land, and ye shall lie down, and
none shall make you afraid and
will cause evil beasts to cease
out of the land, neither shall the
sword go through your land. -
Lev. 26:6.
War is a universal evil. No
one will care to dispute this
statement. The gigantic pro-
portions of its destruction of life
and property are beyond human
computation. The moral de-
pravity for which tits respon-
sible, human intelligence is un-
able to comprehend. But war is
responsible for another univer-
sal evil, not SO commonly men,
toned among wars liabilities.
1t is the fact that war pre-
vents progress. Every great
war stops up the channels of
commerce, bringing famine and
death to millions. We see strik-
ing examples Of this truth today
in central Europe, in Russia,
China and India. Lack Of pro
duction plays only a minor part
in the starvation of millions. Tie
chief cause for this condition
must be sought in the paraliza-
ton oc commerce, due to block
ades and to lack of shipping
facilities, caused by the sinking
Of innumerable vessels during
the war. Our shipping facilities
are inadequate to meet the
worldwide demand for raw ma
terials. The result is the shut
ting down of great industries in
every country on the globe.
Thus civilization not only halts,
but is set backward in its fligh;.
When industry halts, millions
starve. Starving bodies produce
minds, and decadent
minds revert backward toward
3arbarism, as we have seen in
he several countries where star
vation exists. Morals sink to
he lowest level.
War takes the merchant from
lis business, the artist from his
studio and the scholar from his
books. 1t tears the husband
rom his wife, separates families,
destroys friendships and creates
condition in which progress is
impossible.
If progress is to be attained,
omething must be done to stop
his bloody carnage. Despair
ng millions cry for relief from
has arch-enemy of the race.
/. What is the remedy?
(a( Armaments. This is at
nee the most ancient and also
he most universal remedy that
as been proposed. But the late
yar has shown that implements
f war are controlled by the
pirit of war. Give a boy a
istol and he is bound to shoot
18th it. Human instinct prompts
i'm to do so. 1t is for the pur-
ose of preventing future wars,
nd for the further purpose of
liminating burdensome taxa
on, that President Harding
alled a conference of the ma
ons. But, important as this
difference is, it is nothing new
nder the sun. 1t has been tried
sfore. but it has failed.
(b( Treaties and alliances.
ailing to prevent war by meet
q force with force, the ma
ons have established reaties t
id alliances. The League OF
ations is only another form OF t
ternational treaties, all of
hich have proved futile in the t
lst When the storm broke
It in 1914, we rubbed the sleep 7
It of our eyes and discovered :
at all our treaties and allan
$ were only scraps of paper =
be trampled on and. violated {
will. Now that our minds :
e disillusioned, we are begin :,
ng to see that treaties and !,
liances are only means to ! /
rengthen certain groups OF ma : :
ms against the enroachments {
other nations. : :
(c) Commerce. Until the .
,rm came in 1914, we had
ought that the nations OF the V
rid were SO interdependent n
rou0h commerce that this Y