The International Peace Movement
A WRITER in the United Presbyterian, Mr. J. L. Cowan, says of the international peace movement, which has found expression in the convening of several peace congresses:— Few persons have any idea of the extent to which the advocates of peace are organized. In Germany there are seventy-five active peace societies, in Denmark seventy-three, in Great Britain fourteen, and in France more than two hundred organizations are affiliated with the peace movement. Norway and Sweden are thoroughly organized, and it is not saying too much to claim that these organizations have done much to make possible the bloodless revolution that is now taking place there. Every country in Europe is represented in the inter-parliamentary union, and has within its boundaries anywhere from one to several scores of active peace organizations. Even in turbulent South America the peace propaganda has made headway; Chile, Bolivia, Uruguay, Argentina, and Brazil having active and able organizations. In America, where the peace movement really originated back in the early part of the last century, says this authority, there are to-day twenty-one active peace organizations, composed of men of ability and influence in public affairs. Mr. Cowan believes that the close of the Russo-Japanese war “will be the signal for the inauguration of a campaign for universal peace the whole world over.” It is the commercial spirit, however, the love of wealth, rather than the love of peace, that rules the world to-day, and dictates peace to warring nations. War is a great disturber of trade relations, and the loss of wealth due to this disturbance stirs up influences in the financial world which result in bringing strong pressure upon the belligerent powers to make a peaceful settlement of their differences. Russia was offered all the money she needed to conclude peace with Japan, but was refused a further loan to continue the war. The love of wealth brings on frequent industrial wars, which are as contrary to peace as are the wars fought out with armies and navies. When peace rules the world, there will be social and industrial as well as political concord.