THE PEACE CONFERENCE by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jun 14, 1899

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 25, No. 24.

THE PEACE CONFERENCE.

By Editor

THE New York Independent does not entertain very hopeful anticipations in regard to the results of the Peace Conference. Concerning it the Independent says:—

"The more that is learned of the general opinions in regard to it, the less confidence there appears to be in any result in the line of actual disarmament. The czar has just issued a special edict, forbidding all Jews, even foreign Jews, to reside in St. Petersburg, and that is to be extended over the empire. An agreement has been arrived at by negotiations between the European powers not to receive any petitions, memoranda or letters, whether from governments or associations, which deal with national grievances, international conditions, or political or religious questions of individual countries. The refusal to send invitations to the Transvaal and the Orange Free State, while such countries as Montenegro and Bulgaria are invited, has created considerable bitter feeling in Holland, and there was opposition to the vote of supplies for the entertainment of the Conference. It has been decided that the votes of the Conference shall be by delegations, each delegation to have one vote, to be deposited by its representative. There are various suggestions with regard to possible arrangements for arbitration, etc., but these do not appear to have substantial foundation. Professor Bloch, whose article, it is understood suggested to the czar the project of the Conference, affirms that the opposition of diplomats and military leaders who are to attend will paralyze any positive action, and suggests that the most that can be done is to order a preliminary inquiry into two questions: (1) Whether the time has not actually arrived when war would result in mutual destruction of the combatants, and (2) whether the existing balance of power would not remain the same after a war, with the difference that it would no longer be possible to prevent a Socialist movement from leading to catastrophe."

There is just one way to secure peace, and that is to allow the Prince of peace to have His rightful place in every heart. And this work must be accomplished between the individual and Christ Himself in the private conference of the closet. Every other effort to enforce peace will be a failure. For we are in the time when prophecy is being fulfilled by the stirring up of the war spirit through the agency of the demons of darkness. The dove of peace has departed from this earth, and the clamorings and the clashings of war will prevail until the Master appears in person to end it. And may the day be hastened.