p. 11 | Note and Comment by Editor

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 15, 1912

Note and Comment

By Editor

Indictment of the Saloon

ONE of the strongest indictments of the saloon business that has come to our attention appeared in a recent issue of the Religious Weekly, of Philadelphia, over the signature of Dr. P. A. Baker, the general superintendent of the Anti-Saloon League. It reads:—

We must not overlook the fact that we confront a foe that has ill-gotten wealth without limit, and no conscience in the spending of it. Love for country, human character, domestic happiness, personal reputation, have no place in its code of warfare. Bribery is one of its mildest methods for accomplishing its purpose. It laughs at virtue, it mocks religion, it scoffs at common honesty, it defies every appeal of outraged womanhood, and robs helpless childhood of a fair chance. It is drunk with the blood of the millions it has slain. It lowers public intelligence; it destroys public conscience; it forbids, wherever possible, right representation of public intelligence and public conscience in our law-making bodies, and in the executive department of government as well. And, when laws are enacted, this treasonable institution tramples upon them with impunity; it refuses to be regulated; it is incapable of reformation; “it would rather die than obey law.” There is nothing left but to abolish it from every foot of territory everywhere as speedily as an advancing civilization and a developing conscience will permit.

Poverty and Extravagance

As in the days of ancient Babylon and of ancient Rome, so now in our day, the gulf between the rich and the poor is growing wider and the spirit of resentment deeper. And that gulf is widened and that spirit accentuated by displays of extravagance on the part of the wealthy. More money is squandered by certain individuals on a dog than would be necessary to keep a small family in reasonable circumstances. While the bitterly cold winds are driving through the streets of some of our larger cities, and shivering and starving human beings are huddled in wretched tenements, we read of expensive parties given in honor of some pet dog, or of the funeral of some dog, the expense of which would give decent burial to more than one human being, or might even have prevented his death. In Paris, for instance, there is a dogs’ cemetery in which are 8,470 graves of dogs. A considerable number of other domestic animals also are interred here. On All Saints’ day, although flowers were scarce, every grave in this “Canipolis,” as it is termed,—8,914 in all,—was decorated with bunches of violets. At Waterbury, Conn., recently a dog was buried in a gorgeous coffin with a profusion of flowers, and a private service was conducted at the home prior to the interment.

It was reported that “many tears were shed by the friends of this dog as he was laid to rest.” Such expenditures for such purposes are putting a spirit of bitterness into the hearts of the people which is making more certain the dreaded clash between capital and labor, and hastening the time when it shall take place.

A Question Answered

THERE has been a question in the minds of many Americans as to the reason why Archbishop Ireland, of St. Paul, was not among the American prelates of the Catholic Church who received the red hat of a cardinal. The question is answered by F. Cunliffe Owen in the February issue of the Metropolitan. He says:—

The public has a short memory. Otherwise it would recall that in the spring of 1898 the pontiff was prompted by Archbishop Ireland to offer his mediation between the United States and Spain, on the understanding that the action would be welcomed at Washington. Leo XIII’s services as an arbitrator had been employed on several previous occasions, notably by Prince Bismarck, in the bitter controversy between Germany and Spain over the Caroline Islands. In each instance the papal award gave much satisfaction; Catholics became rather proud of the new rôle of the Vatican as arbitrator among nations; and Leo XIII and his cardinals were led to believe that the Papacy, though bereft of its temporal possessions, might in some such way recover its preeminence among sovereign states. Therefore, it was a blow when, contrary to what Leo XIII had been led to believe by Archbishop Ireland, his offer of mediation was curtly rejected at Washington. The Papacy has never forgotten that this humiliation was due entirely to the error of the archbishop of St. Paul.

The Peace and Safety Cry

THE Minneapolis Journal of Jan. 7, 1912, has the following to say editorially in reference to the peace movement which is being promulgated so zealously by many influential individuals in the great nations of the world:—

The peace gospel is preached. Every nation counsels peace for other nations, but relies on force to push its own interests ahead. The stronger the peace propaganda grows, the more wars and near wars multiply. No one invokes The Hague, or thinks of invoking The Hague in vital complications, such as Morocco, Tripoli, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Persia, Manchuria, the Transvaal, Cuba, and other such.

Why?—Because legal settlement in such cases is not adequate. The disputants in such cases are not seeking their rights. They are out after advantages. They want new conditions, not confirmation of old ones.

What legal rights that The Hague could sustain had Russia and Japan in many Manchuria, or France and Germany in Morocco? has Italy in Tripoli, or have Russia and England in Persia?—Not a figment of legal right.

Therefore the inadequacy of The Hague or any other tribunal dispensing international justice, to deal with these contentions between nations. Until some method is devised to restrain the nations’ desires to limit national aspirations after wealth, territory, power, and advantage, tribunals can not be adequate substitutes for war.

At the same time it is a significant fact that while these violations of international peace are becoming more frequent and more pronounced, the clamor for universal peace, for the signing of arbitration treaties, and for the establishment of a supreme court of the nations is growing in power and intensity. It is reported that 282 churches have joined with other bodies in asking Congress to ratify the arbitration treaties now before that body. There has been a total of 1,019 resolutions, memorials, and petitions indorsing the pending arbitration treaties since the beginning of the new Congress. Thirty-three of these were from commercial organizations, 21 from women’s clubs, and 683 were petitions from various organizations and civic associations; but the churches of the country stood at the head of the list as to the number coming from any one class or organization. This is a curious fact when we consider that Jesus himself warned the world that when the great cry of peace and safety should be heard throughout the world, then should come sudden destruction. The peace and safety cry at the present time is one of the most striking fulfillments of our Saviour’s words, and the paradox of the situation lies in the fact that it is they who profess to be leaders of Christ’s followers who are giving most conspicuous indorsement to the cry of peace and safety.

The Tipping Practise

IT is gratifying to see a movement started in this country against the slavery of tip-giving. At a mass-meeting of the International Hotel Workers’ Union in New York recently, the practise was heartily scored, and steps were taken to create a general public sentiment against it. Other unions have likewise declared themselves as opposed to this practise.

It is charged that employers are in a large measure responsible for this custom, in that the wage scale of the employees is placed low with the distinct understanding that revenue is to be drawn from the public by tips. The abolition of the practise would necessitate, no doubt, an increase of the wage scale, but we believe that the increased patronage of a grateful public would more than compensate for the revenue derived from this nuisance.