THE GROWING BURDEN

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jul 17, 1901

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 27, No. 29.

THE GROWING BURDEN.

The nations of Europe have been sweating under taxes occasioned by war preparation, and have been groaning under the burden of enforced military service. That burden has been growing heavier with each new development in the military line. England has striven to maintain her army by voluntary service. The continental nations have not been so conscientious in the matter, and their armies have grown to tremendous proportions. Now England is beginning to see that to maintain her place among the nations as one of the great military powers, she may be forced to follow their example.

In the debate over the army reconstruction bill recently, in the House of Commons, Lord Raglan, the Under Secretary of War, frankly stated that if the army can not be increased by volunteering, the government will resort to conscription. To the British mind conscription has been specially repugnant; and yet the government sees before it the possibility of such a course, in view of possible European combinations against her. Their armies, combined, would tower above her like a mammoth, and she considers the risk too great. Thus is preparation begetting preparation, and none save those who know God's Word can tell where the end will be. To them it is not an enigma. It is all working to a definite end, and that end has been foretold. The growing burden will continue to grow, until the great clash comes that will involve the whole world in war,—the war of the end.