ONE of the intolerable burdens resting upon the civilized powers of earth is that caused by the immense war expenses. Says the Saturday Evening Post:—
"By taking Austria-Hungary, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, and Russia as representatives of the armed strength of Europe, it is found that, according to the latest official reports, their standing or peace armies comprise 132,800 officers and 2,734,141 men, and, omitting Great Britain, their navies number 6,172 officers and 224,564 men. Great Britain this year has a total of 100,054 officers, seamen, and marines, and the army strength given is independent of India and the colonies.
"For the maintenance of these national systems of defense of these six countries alone, during the fiscal year 1897-98, the respective budgets show the enormous expenditure of $806,287,549, or more than one-half of the total debt of the United States."
Is there any wonder that the czar of Russia calls for peace? And yet the answer of Great Britain, the strongest military power in the world, to Russia is this, from Premier Salisbury:—
"If Great Britain ever permits her self-defenses to weaken, her whole empire will come clattering to the ground. It is, therefore, impossible, in the present state and temper of the world, to intermit our naval and military precautions."
Men may say, "Peace, peace," but there is no peace without righteousness.