PERPLEXITY OF NATIONS

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Aug 30, 1905

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 35.

PERPLEXITY OF NATIONS.

THE prophecy of our Lord that there should be, at a certain time, "upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity," is surely finding literal fulfilment at the present time. Every unusual movement of a prominent ruler; every actual or prospective or imaginary agreement between prominent nations; every movement of naval vessels or body of troops by any government of recognized influence in the world; every casual rumor of prospective alliance—even the supposedly friendly relations between any two of the so-called world powers, are causes of perplexity, of uneasiness, of anxiety, in the world's great capitals and centers of trade.

The emperor of Germany went in person to Tangier, in a war-vessel, to weaken the influence of France in Moroccan affairs. Instantly there was a war scare, and the move is interpreted as an attempt to create ill-feeling between France and England. Then Emperor William arranged a naval meeting in the Baltic with Czar Nicholas, and another furor was created. It was supposed to mean an alliance either to include France, or perhaps, to exclude her, because her capitalists were not furnishing Russia any more money. Other national combinations were at once suggested or imagined. The German emperor was next found interviewing the king of Denmark, and was at once supposed to be planning a Scandinavian confederacy—composed of Denmark, Sweden, and Norway—which he would be able to influence in Germany's interest.

In connection with the negotiations for peace between Japan and Russia, an alliance between the two nations is suspected, and forthwith there arises perplexity among other nations who have usurped "interests" in the Far East. M. Witte, the Russian representative, was shrewd in suggesting an alliance early in the negotiations for peace, as the idea of future communion of interest would be used to forestall or minimize the much-dreaded money indemnity that Japan is likely to demand.

But an alliance between Russia and Japan would be the most difficult for other European nations to deal with. It would mean more perplexity than any other combination. If their interests in the Orient should be antagonized by the proposed combination, none of them could well stand alone so far from home. Defense would mean alliance, and a most perplexing problem would be alliance involving England, France, and Germany, or any two of them. And then the United States has "interests" over there that might be involved, to say nothing of China's very existence as a nation. Verily we are in the days when "distress of nations, with perplexity," is everywhere in evidence, and "the coming of the Lord draweth nigh." G.