THE CRY OF “PEACE, PEACE.”
By Editor
Last week we printed the note of the czar to the powers, calling for a disarmament of the nations, and a conference of the powers to consider the matter. There has been a general and wonderful response to this from both the secular and religious side. A few sample utterances are given below:— “The proposal of the Emperor Nicholas for a reduction in the armaments of the Old World, which we print on another page, is a document of extraordinary interest, in whatever way we view it. His suggestion, if carried out in good faith, would result in the abolition of militarism, that terrible and ever-increasing burden whose weight is crushing out the life of the nations of Europe. That such a proposition should emanate from the czar of Russia, the leader of the powers, and the head of an army of three million soldiers, must certainly be recognized as a most auspicious event. He is the one man who can most effectively promote the object sought, and if he undertakes in earnest to carry it through, without doubt the other nations, groaning under the oppression of their military systems, will only too gladly second his endeavors. . . . Every lover of peace, every friend of humanity, should devoutly pray that the proposed conference may be held, and that it will prove, in the words of the czar’s manifesto, ‘by the help of God, a happy presage for the century which is about to open.’ May God grant it!”—The Examiner, Baptist. The above journal sees two enormous difficulties, the immense naval equipment of England, and the position of France relative to Alsace-Lorraine. “Light comes to us from the East. It has been left to the czar of Russia—that least civilized of the world’s great powers, as we have been told—to sound a bugle blast for the world’s peace. . . . The czar’s proposition comes like a thunderbolt out of a clear sky. But there is no reason for questioning his perfect sincerity. He has nothing to gain by dissimulation in this matter; but he has everything to gain by pursuing the path of peace. . . . Her imperative need to-day is peace, a chance to reduce the burdens of taxation, a chance to develop her resources and her trade. These she can get if the other powers will agree; and there can be little doubt that with Russia taking the lead in such a mighty step, Great Britain, France, and Germany will be ready to follow. . . . But whatever be the results flowing from the czar’s action, it is clear we have fallen upon new times, and that at last the world is coming to realize that not only hath peace her victories, but they are more glorious than can be achieved by evoking the passions of war, with their awful sacrifice of human life and the rich harvests of misery and wretchedness that follow in their train. The world is indeed seeing new light. The czar’s encyclical is assuredly one of the most striking documents of the century. It could only have been more dramatic if the Kaiser had issued it from the birthplace of the Prince of Peace. But it comes to us at a time when the world is growing weary of war. It comes, too, let us hope, to place a lasting crown of glory upon the dying nineteenth century, and to place the honored name of Nicholas II, high on the roll of those monarchs who have made the world better by their rule.”—Christian Work. Yet this same paper a week or two ago had a strong editorial, the alpha and omega of which was, “Now for the Turk,” “Send the boats.” Is there more inspiration in the message of an earthly potentate than in the Gospel of peace of the King of kings? “The proposal of the czar of Russia to call a conference of the nations of the world to provide for disarmament and the preservation of peace, is like a breath of heaven blown across the open pit of hell. For ‘war is hell,’ and the armaments of war are the steam and sulphur smoke of hell. To prevent war, to make it impossible, is the noblest task that Christian statesmanship can attempt. To restore to the employments of peace the life and wealth wasted in preparation for war, is divine work for kings, emperors, and presidents. We are glad to believe that this proposal of the young czar is perfectly sincere. . . . But is it quixotic? It ought not to be. Europe sees what is the mighty progress of the United States made possible by having no standing army. Europe sees that a nation with no standing army can make war, if need be. Europe must see that partial disarmament is possible if the nations will trust each other. Why can they not? Whether it accomplishes its end or not, this declaration of the czar is one of the most important events of the closing century.”—The Independent. The New York World thus sums it up:— “The world’s symposium of the opinions of European thinkers and statesmen seems to indicate that the czar’s appeal for peace and for the relief of the European masses has fallen on deaf ears. In England apparent willingness to listen barely conceals deep suspicion and distrust. France, ever thinking of her captive children, Alsace and Lorraine, is angry and terrified. Germany is derisive. The dual monarchy, racked by internal dissensions, is of course willing but hopeless. But all of this discouragement can not change the central facts, from which may be drawn a lively hope that the czar will accomplish something.” Even those who speak suspiciously and doubtfully, grasp at the proposal of the czar as a drowning man seizes a straw. True it is that the czar’s arguments are strong ones,—the immense and ceaselessly increasing burden of war expenditures, and the constantly growing menace of increasing armaments, hastening the very cataclysm they are designed to avert. What will all this amount to?—Nothing, except to stay for a time the great battle of Armageddon till the work of God is done in the earth. The Word tells us that God’s messengers are bidden to hold the winds of war till He finishes His work. Moving upon the mind of the czar to do what he has done is one of the means the Lord is using to stay the conflict. But the conflict will come, and will be the more terrible when it comes. There can be no lasting peace in the world till men are at peace with God.