The Building of Dreadnoughts
In a recent editorial paragraph, the Springfield Republican has the following to say in regard to the unnatural activity of the nations of the world in building large and expensive war-ships. “A study of the latest naval tabulations makes the world seem to ring with the vast din of shipyard and gun foundry. On December 1 there were some 58 battle-ships and battle cruisers of the so-called Dreadnought or super-Dreadnought type actually under construction for the different nations. Ten or 12 more had been authorized, and may, in a number of instances, have had their keel plates now laid. These 70 battle craft of the first line will represent on the average fully $10,000,000 apiece; some of them have been reported to cost much above that, and $10,000,000 is probably a low estimate. The total is therefore not less than $700,000,000, to which must be added millions more for cruisers, torpedo-boats and other auxiliary craft also in course of construction. There are already in commission approximately 50 Dreadnought battle-ships and battle cruisers, which, being somewhat smaller than those now building, have cost on an average at least $8,000,000, or $400,000,000 in the aggregate. Thus, since the launching of the Dreadnought in 1906, the world has engaged to spend well over $1,100,000,000 on the mere construction of fighting craft. It is a big bill.” Facts like the foregoing are a part of the evidence that leads us to earnestly teach, as we have done for more than a third of a century, that the prophetic time is almost reached for the great war of Armageddon. That furious war that is stirred up and urged on by the demons, is the last great struggle of the war-gods, and then comes the promised second advent of our Lord. The prophecies are clear upon the subject, and the evidence of fulfilment is unimpeachable.