Peace, Peace! | AdventAI

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Nov 21, 1878

“Peace, Peace!”

The conference of nations at Berlin was intended to settle the “Eastern Question,” and to give permanent peace to Europe. At the very time of the conference Lord Beaconsfield, the English Premier, concluded a private treaty with Turkey in favor of the interests of England. On his return to London he was hailed with acclamations by the people for his unparalleled success in diplomacy. But Russia is now making her own terms with Turkey, and pleads that England has set the example of private treaties with Turkey, without regard to the terms agreed to by the conference. Thus by duplicity and treachery England has overreached herself, and the action of the conference is practically null and void. The only effect which can be counted on as a certainty from the session of the conference, is the partial dismemberment of Turkey. And the “Eastern Question” is still waiting settlement, and will soon be more troublesome than ever to the crowned heads of Europe. Meanwhile the European people are becoming very unwilling to continue to be made tools to serve the ambition of their rulers. And what shall be the end of these things? The nations felt relief over the action of the conference, merely because they expected to be relieved. They must soon feel the anguish of disappointment, and a renewal of their troubles.