Peace Conference and High Explosives
There is a sinister humor in the following fact in the light of the Peace Conference. Among the ablest advocates of peace at The Hague are the American representatives; and yet just now we read that the United States has introduced, among her destructive agencies, especially against the Filipinos, a high explosive shell, which, in American guns, may contain thirteen and one-half pounds of the explosive. We are told in a special despatch from Washington that "it is estimated that a shell of this size cast into a battalion of Filipinos will annihilate every one within the radius of its influence. Not only will the flying missile deal destruction, but the concussion is described as sufficiently great to explode and tear asunder the rifles of the enemy, to kill men instantly who have not been hit by the shell itself, to destroy ear-drums and blood-vessels, and shatter cannon—in a word, to shock everything within the radius of its influence, and destroy every mechanical organization." Compared with this, the "dum dum" bullet tabooed by the Peace Conference is mild. How truly, despite the cry of peace, is the scripture fulfilled, "Prepare war, wake up the mighty men."