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About The commoner. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-1923 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 1915)
SfPI?NWf7WPJWPKH The Commoner VOL. 15, NO. 12 -pUW'V,WI 4!' lis. 81' l ?it F !V ii"' ix I'M ', kw. L",f' The "Interest" Back of Preparedness ' On tlio 24 th of November, Mr. Hudson Maxim delivered an address before the committee of 100 appointed to represent the Security league in St. Louis. (These men do not enlist to fight, they simply enlist to encourage the spending of money on preparedness). On the 2Gth of Novem ber the following advertisement appeared in the St. Louis papers: "The Maxim Munitions Corporation was formed to take over the important inventions of Hudson Maxim in aerial torpedoes, bomb-throwing dovices, aeroplane guns, improvements in rango-flnding guns, iiosition indicators to show constantly the geological position of submarines and other vessels, improvements in periscopes and many others. Further details in this space tomorrow. Full report on application." The following comment appears in the St. Louis Times: "The appearance of an advertisement in St. Louis papers announcing the organization of the $10,000,000 Maxim Munitions corporation, two days after the appearance of Hudson Maxim be fore the Business Men's league, and about 10 days after the appointment by Mayor Kiel of a committee of one hundred to prepare a plan whereby congress might be influenced in its army and navy program, Friday, was causing much comment among members of the commit tee. "The advertisement stated that 'the Maxim Munitions corporation was formed to take over the important Inventions of Hudson Maxim in aorial torpedoes, bomb-throwing devices, aero plane guns, improvements in range-finding guns, position indicators to show constantly the geo logical position of submarines and other vessels, and many others' The stock was offered for sale at $10 a share, and further details in other advertisements Saturday were promised. "A canvass of members of Mayor Kiel's com mittee of one hundred indicated the appoint ment of the committee, Mr. Maxim's visit and the advertisement werV more than mere coinci dences. "Frederick W. Lehman, whose name has been Included in the one hundred, said he intended refusing to accept the appointment, 'That's a pretty swift beginning,' he commented when his attention was called to the advertisement. 'I did not hear Mr. Maxim Wednesday, I have been away, but it always happens about like that.' "John H. Gundlach, another member of the com mitteo of one hundred declared that if the 'activ ities of the National Security league, the appear ance of Mr. Maxim and then of the advertise ment can be connected, it is treasonable. Of course, there are a lot of slick people who al ways want to capitalize patriotism, and whose . patriotism is measured altogether by the number of dollars they get out of it. The more dollars, the more patriotism. "An appointment to the committee of one hundred was refused by Henry S. Caulfleld, it developed Friday. Mr. Caulfleld said he had to decline the honor because he was 'tied up in so many things.' " 'When any man connected with the manu facture of munitions declares himself for war, one can not help thinking he has some ulterior motive,' Mr. Caulfleld said. 'I am for adequate national defense, of course, but I believe we ought to confer with some authority who will not profit by war, or who is not connected with tho' manufacture of munitions of war. " Who shall draw the line on the question of "ade quate preparedness" the taxpayers or the manufac turers of war implements? age and know no kind of glory except that which comes with. brutish exultation over feats accom plished by brute force. Mr. Roosevelt is the only member of this group who has reached political prominence. Most of them do their talking at the prize fight ring or in other places remote from tho centers of political influence. Mr. Roosevelt stands alone in one respect; no other prominent American has ever approached him in love of power for power's sake or in blood thirstiness. In tho Armory in London there is an imitation flower made from the 'blades of swords. They call it the Passion flower. If Mr. Roosevelt's breast was large enough for it , this would be his favorite flower, but not being able to wear it on the outside, ho carries its image in his heart. He is a human arsenal, a dreadnaught wrought in flesh and blood. His spear not only "knows no brother," but it knows no rest. Parliamentary reform is too slow changes must be brought about at once and only the hand of force has rapidity enough to suit him. The la3t two years have been worm wood and gall to him. He has been condemned to the languor of peace when he saw a chance for war first with Mexico and later with Europe. He has had but .two happy moments; one when he thought that the taking of Vera Cruz might lead to intervention in Mexico, and the other when he thought that the sinking of tho Arabic might lead to our entry into the European war. Those who look for evidence of divine guid ance in tho affairs of men will attribute his de feat in 1912 to a kind Providence. How fortu nate for the country that he is not in position to direct the policy of the nation! How fortunate, too, that he does not mold the opinion of the fu ture! The United States Is right in putting moral courage above physical courage. Man shares physical courage with tho beast, while moral courage is that which gives the highest proof that .he was made in the image of God. If Mr. Roosevelt's moral courage approached hiB phy sical courage in quantity or quality, he might have rendered an enormous service. As it is he is a warning to his generation, rather than an Inspiration. Ho is a red light, a signal of danger, ' and not a flame that illumines the path in which his countrymen walk. W. J. BRYAN. THE NAVY LEAGUE CREED Extracts from an article in the Seven Seas, Navy League organ, September, 1915: "The true militarist believes that PACIFICISM is the masculine and HUMANITARIANISM is the feminine manifestation of national DEGENER ACY." "To adopt German standards of militarism would of course be impossible among Anglo Saxons, but this does not minimize the fact that WORLD-EMPIRE is tho only LOGICAL and NATURAL aim for a nation that really desires to remain a nation; " "LAND has always been the correct ALIMENT for nations and never till the arrival of the Pa cifist did gods or men ever witnaaq n. tinHnn tid ing on strait-waistcoats as if they were life pre servers. M COURAGE, PHYSICAL OR MORAL E-President Roosevelt is out in a letter In Which he describes the position of the adminis tration as cowardly because it does not entor tho present war. Mr. Roosevelt represents a proup of Americans, small in number but loud of voice, who are abnormal on tho subject of iar.. They take counsel of thoir physical cour- The woman suffragists polled more than 600, 000 votes for their amendmont in New York Btate alone at the November election. The man who thinks that such a result on the first sub mission, of the question in the stronghold of tho liquor interests and special privileges contains anything discouraging muBt have a very poor' conception of values. The Road to Peace (Written for tho Scripps-McRae papers.) No one can do more than guess in regard to tho time when peace will come, or as to the means by which it can be hastened. One phase of the subject has not been suffi ciently considered, namely, the RIGHT of the neutral nations to bring moral pressure to bear upon the belligerents to state the terms upon which peace can be restored. The Hague con vention expressly declares that an offer of medi ation shall not be regarded as an unfriendly act. On the contrary, it is specifically encour aged on the ground that humanity, as a whole, is interested in stopping a war. But the right of the neutral nations to urge peace rests on the ground of material interest as well as on the ground of humanity. They are bearing burdens of taxation which would not be necessary but for the war; domestic questions are-being subordinated to issues raised by the war; every neutral nation is in danger of being dragged into the war and some are almost forced into it. In each nation the financial vultures who live on the woes of their country are using the war as an argument in favor of increased expenditures on preparedness. Why should the nations at war obstruct the highways of the world, interfere with neutral trade and endanger the lives of those who travel? All the neutral nations suffer, and those who suffer have a right to complain. The President proposed mediation immediately after the war began, but that was sixteen months ago. I regret that he does not see his way clear to make the offer again. The smaller nations wait on this nation and I fear the President has been deceived as to the wishes of tho people. There are big corporations in this country that are financially interested in the continuance of the war corporations that sell ammunitions at an enormous profit and corporations that float war loans at a high rate, and these corporations speak through metropolitan newspapers. he masses have no voice, except as they speak through officials elected by them or through pe titions. They should communicate immediately and frequently with their representatives. In politics the fear of the. people is the begin ning of wisdom; the people can easily control congress if they will only speak to congress in sufficient numbers. Peace voyages like that upon which Mr. Ford and his companions have embarked are an indi cation of a growing desire that something shall be done. The question is not whether Mr. Ford's plan will meet with immediate success time only can answer that question. The real ques tion is whether it deserves success, and to this question every one who desires peace must an swer "yes." It can do no harm, it has already done good. It has started people to talking about peace here and in Europe that is so much gained and it has exposed to contempt the sor did interests that ridicule all talk of peace. Then, too, there is an inspiration in the earnestness and unselfishness of a man of large wealth who is controlled by his heart instead of his pocket book. Health and safetv to those who sail; they are in search-of something more precious than the golden .fleece success attend them! . W. J. BRYAN. AGAINST 'PKKPA7?lRJmvFic'B".BUT FOR MER ' CHANT MARINE Bickleton, Wash., Nov. 23rd, 1915. W. J. Bryan, Washington, D. C. Dear Sir: We held a large Farmers union last night and took a vote on Wilson's "preparedness," or rather, on the Defense bill, and not a vote was in favor of that plan. We then took a vote on "Merchant Ma rine," and the entire house rose up, showing great enthusiasm for merchant marine. That is what we want, and not war. I would like i to see you work for that merchant marine. e" spectfully yours, (signed) A. M. Criswell, pres. Farmers' Union. (The Commoner is supporting the Ship Purchase bill. Editor.) :c: Hew yearly subscriptions to The Commoner will4 be acceptedtftt60c each v. iajfeitsv. u ma wmmsy