CLAMORING FOR WAR by T.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Feb 24, 1898

CLAMORING FOR WAR.

By T.

DESPITE the assurance so often made that war is now a thing of the past, there is nothing that is being more seriously discussed than the possibilities of national and international hostilities. The relations that exist between the United States and Spain are strained to the utmost tension. Indeed, it would not be surprising if war would be declared before this paper reaches our readers. The Chinese difficulty is by no means settled. Despatches state that the people of China are beginning to act very hostile and abusive toward the foreigners among them. This is not to be wondered at, since the powers of the whole of Europe seem to be hovering about the Chinese Empire for no other purpose than to divide her territory among them as may best suit their varied interests.

The people in China by thus attacking the foreigners show that they do not harmonize with the tardiness of their government in asserting their rights. They make it manifest that they are desirous of beginning the struggle whether their government is prepared to declare war yet or not.

The same is true also in Spain. The people there are loudly clamoring for war to be declared against the United States. They say that it is the only way to relieve the burdens of war that are resting so heavily upon them. The Spanish cabinet, however, seem very loath to take up arms against this country. They are making every effort, at least so far as appearances are concerned, to avoid a conflict. And reports are coming that the Spanish leaders are thus making themselves very unpopular. The Spanish people demand war, and are chafing because their government does not declare it.

The war spirit, as every one knows, is also running quite high in this country. When a call was made a few days ago to fill up a deficiency of the National Guards in Illinois, the rumor spread that these men were wanted for Cuba, and before the official announcement was fully made or understood, many more men rushed in than could be enrolled. This fact only emphasizes the idea that the people are filled with a desire for war, and the least provocation fans this desire into a burning flame.

The clamoring for war among the people would not be so intense perhaps if they knew as well as the leading men of the nations do what an awful thing the next war of any magnitude will be. Such vast sums are required for modern munitions that a general war of a few days’ duration will be sufficient to bankrupt a nation. And the great expense of modern warfare is by no means the worst feature. The terrible destruction to the valuable life of man is beyond computation or description.

But what think you of the picture? The governing class of the various nations seem to be doing all they can to prevent a general war. While, on the other hand, the people themselves are so weighed down with the burdens of war expenses and war debts that they are clamoring for the clash of arms. They say they would rather see the crisis reached, and trust to the fate of war, than to rest longer under the burden.

At “the time of the dead, that they should be judged,” the Book tells us that “the nations were angry.” Rev. 11:18. Let your own conscientious convictions tell you that what we now see is a marvelously clear fulfilment of this prophecy. The judgment of the great day is imminent, and the coming of the Lord can not be a great way off. T.