The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-25

honored institution founded upon the highest form of morality and Scrip tural command There need be little fear that any modern theory or wrir kle will displace it in the scheme of human progress and happiness.
 WARNINGS WORTH CONSIDERING
 With all that has been said and dem onstrated about the folly of war since the great world conflict, reports con tinually come from Europe of the armament race in that country. These reports are overlapping; for people have learned that anything is not only possible, but more or less probable, after having witnessed what followed repeated expressions of opinion in 1914 that the r'umpus in the Old World would blow over without clash. Men are so busy with their personal affairs that they try not to think of war The world would seem to have had enough of that kind of disaster to last century at least; and yet 1t is apparent that another war is com ing within few years unless some thing of serious, determined charac- ter is done to prevent it. This must come not from any one or few nations, but from all which may have potent influence for or against the disaster of war.
 l The American people, even more than the people of Europe, were sur p1fsed in 1914 when the international conflict broke loose, though far-sighted students of world conditions and world sentiment like Lord Roberts had warned that the outbreak was ap- preaching. The world will again be surprised if within the next few years the strenuous contest for air suprem- acy eliminates in international woe. Former Premier Lloyd George is not an alarmist. He knows world condi- tions and has carefully studied their effects upon the probabilities of war. In a recent address at Toronto he Spohe pAdlnly' 0alQ ne.
 1 see the nations of Europe
 arming and filling their arsenals
 with the very weapons that devas-
 tated Europe four years ago.
 When you see man drunk,
 bruised, injured in debauch and
 ask him to sign the pledge he will
 say, Bring it to me; will sign.'
 But later when you see him again
 taking strong liquor, you know
 that another debauch mayf come.
 So Europe, terribly torn, signed a
 pledge of no more war. And now
 she is filling herself with the most
 terrible explosives. And the next
 war will not be like the last. All
 the energies of science in many
 lands are turned to the develop
 ment of engines of destruction
 more terrible than any we ever
 knew. The next war may destroy
 civilization.
 r Like most men of optimistic leanings and good will, Lloyd George earnestly hopes that this vision of disaster may not materialize, and trusts that the civilized world will seriously think of what this vast preparation for war means. Optimists have often thought the same way; yet such attitudes can not discount the probable effects of this scramble for armament supremacy unless the nations of the world awake to the dangers to which they are head ing. Lloyd George practically served notice on Canada that another great conflict is brewing in Europe, a con- flict from which Great Britain will be unable to hold aloof. That can only mean that Canada will participate in the struggle, and what injures Canada indirectly injures the United States. so closely bound are the two couu- tries in economic, commercial and so- cial interests.
 It was demonstrated by the Wash ington disarmament conference that the most effective way to check. the armament race is through interna- ttional agreement. Many thoughtful opponents of war believe that there should be another conference looking to the limitation of aircraft, subma- rines and poison gas. From these ter rible agencies of destruction would come conflict far worse than the World War, if the human imagination can picture such calamity. The sit- uatlon seems to be moving towards even more dangerous possibilities than can be seen now. Postponement of another conference for the definite purpose proposed may come too late. There have been sufficiently impress slve warnings. Why further delay by the authorities? Surprise at the open ing of hostilities is of no avail: effec- tive preventives would seem to be the wiser course. After what the world has witnessed and suffered, taking chances is folly.
 A large proportion of the people who thoroughly appreciate roses never |