REJECTING all amendments tending to reduce the proposed strengthening of the army, the Senate of the United States has just passed a bill providing for a great “peace” army of approximately a million men. The bill provides for a regular standing army of 250,000 men; also for a federal volunteer army reserve force of some 261,000 men, and federalizing the National Guard forces of the states at an estimated strength of 280,000 men.
In addition to this combined regular reserve force of 791,000 men, an amendment was passed to create a school and college youth’s reserve corps in time of war or threatened war, which would recruit a corps of trained young men, schooled by officers of the regular army, the strength of which is estimated anywhere from 200,000 to 400,000.
Another provision of the bill included an appropriation of $15,000,000 for construction of government plants for the production of nitrates to be used in the manufacture of ammunition.
Underwood & Underwood, N. Y. FIELD WIRELESS USED BY UNITED STATES TROOPS
Preparedness! The expression is upon every lip. It is the favorite topic for editorial discussion. It is the theme of the day among statesmen. It is the basis of epoch-making legislation. Impelled by some unseen, sinister influence, the world is piling up her mammoth armies, is building her monster munition factories, is preparing for a terrific clash of arms which will end in the shipwreck of all nations.
It is a dull ear that cannot hear the rumblings of the coming international explosion. It is a nerveless hand that cannot feel the war fever upon the brow of the nations whose foremost thought is preparedness. It is a blind eye that cannot read in the daily press the fulfillment of the words of Scripture prophetic of the days just preceding the coming of Christ. They are recorded in Joel 3: 9-14.
“Prepare war,” cried the prophet.—“We must have preparedness,” declare the modern statesmen.
“Wake up,” says the prophecy.—“Let America awaken and arm herself,” cry the helmsmen of our ship of state.
“Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears,” repeats the prophet.—“We must build great arsenals, mammoth munition factories, we will increase our army and navy, we will equip our fighting forces with the mightiest engines of destruction that can be devised,” declare our state officials.
This ancient prophecy is being fulfilled before our eyes. He is indeed blind who cannot see that the vast resources of civilization are combining to plunge the world into the most appalling struggle of her war-stained history. The nations are signing their own death warrant. Impelled by demons, they are preparing for the final fight. Our only hope lies in living fellowship with the Prince of peace, and such a hope is the Christian’s hope.
