The International Situation

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 29, 1916

The International Situation

Every month seems to accelerate the increasing complexity and perplexity of the international situation. What a contrast is the present with three years ago! Then comparative peace reigned throughout the world. At the present time the terrible conflict in Europe has cast its dark shadow over every race and every nation, and the spirit of militarism seems rife everywhere. There have been many suggestions of peace proposals, but at the present writing no serious movement appears to be in operation for the bringing about of this much-desired condition.

Aside from the internal strife through which Mexico has been passing during the last three years, the Western continent has been comparatively free from warfare. The relationship, however, at the present writing between Mexico and the United States is far from reassuring, and unless wise counsels prevail, conflict seems inevitable. A clash has already occurred between Mexican and United States troops in the southern republic. President Wilson has summoned 100,000 State militia to the Mexican border, to be used as the exigencies of the situation may demand.

We cannot tell what a day may bring forth. We do know this, however, that in the times in which we live, and with the demand for military preparedness which is arising from every quarter of the United States, we may soon be called upon to face the horrors of warfare in the Western Hemisphere, the same as our brethren in the Old World.

It is not a time for wild talk, for criticism, but for serious meditation. Above all, it is a time to pray. We should pray for the rulers of nations, for the church of God throughout the world, for our brethren of every tongue, that God may give to them wisdom for every exigency, and for ourselves, that we individually may know how rightly to relate ourselves to every relationship.