PEACE AND THE SWORD.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVII, Issue 205, 30 August 1913, Page 5

PEACE AND THE SWORD.

PROFESSIONS CONDUCT , CONTRASTED........

"THE GREAT HAGUE JOKE."

[PeeßS Association.] (Received Aug. 30, 8.5 a.ia,) LONDON, Aug. 29; The Daily News, discussing -fihe inauguration of the Palace x>f Peace, emphasises the contrast between statesmen's professions and their conduct, and enumerates the wars since the Tsar's Rescript of 1898, coupled with! the horrors, of Russian sions.

The paper says that the list covers a period of violence, bloodshed, 'and perfidy unparalleled during iihe .century. With few exceptions the statesmen of the world still believe ia. force, in the sword more than treaties, in accomplished fact, more than justice and perhaps morals. It is more difficult to change the mentality # of Governments than the people, since the propaganda of peace can more profitably be addjressed to the latter. The Standard, under the heading of "The Great Hague Joke,'" refers to the costly wars since the rescript started the colossal sham, and adds that Brazil, iri sending a warship in honor of The Hague ceremonies, shows a fine sense of the fitness of things. Had the others desired to tell the truth instead of countenancing a polite piece of humbug, they would have sent Dreadnoughts, with flags inscribed "Real defenders of "the world's jaeace." It is not for the Hague Conference, but for an army corps and battleships, to the rivalries bursting into flanie. The Standard concludes: "We must face the fact that while every nation is sincerely desirous to keep the peace as long as possible, all are convinced that there is no guarantee against aggression but in their own ability to defend themselves."