Peace or War by W. M. Adams

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 13, 1907

Peace or War

By W. M. Adams

W. M. ADAMS

While in Washington, D. C., attending the General Conference, I had the privilege of visiting the United States Navy-yard. There I saw the mammoth twelve-inch cannon, also many other weapons of death, in process of construction. As I looked upon the cannon piled up like cord-wood, I said to the guide, “This does not look much like the millennial age of peace, does it?” “It does not,” he answered; “in fact, it is a preparation for the opposite.”

We hear much about “The Hague Peace Conference,” the “International Parliamentary Peace Association,” the “International Peace Association of Jurists,” etc. Some are taking a very optimistic view of the outcome of the combined efforts of these and similar bodies. Others view the situation more seriously.

The Winnipeg Free Press, of November 30, in an editorial, makes the following comments on the peace program:—

“There will be no lack of peace talk during the coming twelve months. Likewise we shall see France, Germany, the United States, Japan, and Italy mobilizing the most powerful armaments in their history, and voting new increases for the edification of their neighbors, while Great Britain strictly adheres to her set purpose of having enough ships and to spare to meet the two most powerful fleets of the world combined. . . . So that while peace-makers talk, governments seek practical means of protecting themselves in the event of war.”

Comment is unnecessary. Peace talk is not “practical.” President Roosevelt in his last message to Congress makes the following statement: “The United States Navy is the surest guarantor of peace which this country possesses.” He further says, “Our regular army is so small that in any great war we should have to trust mainly to volunteers who should already know how to shoot. We should establish shooting galleries in all the large public and military schools, should maintain national target ranges in different parts of the country, and should in every way encourage the formation of rifle clubs throughout all parts of the land.”—Free Press.

When Japan’s present program is completed, she will be able to place an army of one million men in the field. Her standing army now numbers four hundred thousand. She recently launched the two largest war-ships in the world.

In view of these facts, it is not hard to understand Isa. 2: 3, 4, which says: “And many people shall go and say, . . . they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.”

Here is a prophecy that is being fulfilled to-day by the Peace Congress and the “peace-and-safety” cry. “Many nations shall come, and say,” etc., says Micah 4:2, 3.

Another prophecy sets forth the true situation: “For the Lord hath spoken it. Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles: Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up: beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning-hooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.” Joel 3:8-10.

The nations are crying, “Peace, peace; when there is no peace,” saith the Lord. Jer. 6:14. “When they [the people] shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them. . . . But ye, brethren, are not in darkness. . . . Let us watch and be sober.” 1 Thess. 4:3, 4, 6.