Poor Prospects of Peace by F. M. W.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 23, 1911

Poor Prospects of Peace

By F. M. W.

An anomalous condition is presented in the world to-day. On the one hand is the cry, which is becoming quite general, for world-peace and the arbitration of all international questions. On the other hand is the feverish preparation for war, and increased expenditure for naval armaments, in every government. Says the Christian Statesman for January:—

The wickedness and misery of warfare and the need for peace agitation have long been evident to thoughtful minds, but recent figures do much to emphasize the awful cost of war and its foolish extravagance. It is said that the average annual cost of army and navy for the eight years since the Spanish war (1902-10) has been $185,400,000, and that the total increase in eight years has been $1,072,000,000, an amount exceeding the national debt by $158,000,000. This is nearly three times the estimated cost of the Panama Canal, including what was paid the French company. The Hon. James A. Tawney, chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, said, in an address of May, 1909, as follows: “The fact that we are expending, during this fiscal year, seventy-two per cent of our aggregate revenue in preparing for war and on account of past wars, leaving only twenty-eight per cent of our revenue available to meet all other government expenditures, including internal improvements, the erection of public buildings, the improvement of rivers and harbors,

and the conservation of our natural resources, is to my mind appalling.” The Congressional Library at Washington, said to be the finest library building in the world, was built, we are told, for but little over half the cost of a battle-ship, and is maintained for three fourths the cost of keeping a battle-ship afloat. One twenty-six-thousand-ton battle-ship costs as much as the total contributions of the United States and Canada in a year to the cause of foreign missions. Such considerations as these should awaken and alarm every true patriot and sincere lover of humanity. Whither are we drifting? Where will all this end? It is high time to bestir ourselves in behalf of peace.

Well may we ask, Whither are we drifting? and where will all this end? The Scriptures of truth afford an answer to these queries. We are rapidly nearing the great battle of Armageddon, which is to witness the close of this earth’s history. We see fulfilling before our eyes to-day the prophecy of Joel 3:9-16.

On the other hand, we see the fulfilment of the prophecy found in the second chapter of Isaiah and the fourth chapter of Micah. These chapters declare that notwithstanding the warlike preparations which will be going forward, the multitudes will be deluding themselves with the hope of peace. That delusive hope will prove their snare; for the apostle Paul says, “When they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them.” Let us be admonished by the crying signs of the times around us. F. M. W.