p. 556 | To Check Naval Rivalry

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 12, 1913

To Check Naval Rivalry

In a recent speech before the House of Commons Mr. Winston Churchill proposes that the nations of the world suspend their naval construction program for the year 1914. The present competition among the nations is carried on at a tremendous cost to the people, who more and more are groaning under the burdens of taxation which such expenditure involves. “We address this proposal to all nations,” Mr. Churchill says, “and to no nation with more profound sincerity than to our great neighbor over the North Sea,” meaning Germany.

The acceptance of such a proposal would undoubtedly afford much in the way of temporary relief, but it is too much to expect that there will ever come, this side of the reign of Christ, a disarmament of the nations, or even a truce of one year in the fierce competition for the first place that is being carried forward. Peace proposals will be made; peace congresses will be held. These no doubt emanate from worthy purposes on the part of their advocates, but they will be of no avail. They fulfil the prophecy of Isaiah 2 and Micah 4, but the peace cry will be drowned at last in the din and preparation for war as outlined in the third chapter of Joel. The Scriptures declare that “the nations are angry.” They are preparing for the last great conflict, and when the cry of peace and safety reaches its height, the inspired penman declares, “sudden destruction cometh upon them, . . . and they shall not escape.” It is for us to find in these conditions an indication of the time and the season, and be so prepared that the day of the Lord shall not come upon us as a thief in the night.