WAR AND ITS ALARMS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 10, 10 January 1913, Page 4

WAR AND ITS ALARMS.

In a recent issue of the London Times an article appears dealing with “War and its Alarms,” in the course of which is said: “We are often told that it is the press which makes war. The statement has frequently been refuted, but never was there a more vivid refutation than we are seeing to-day. With hardly an exception the press of every great European country is earnestly and sincerely labouring for the maintenance of peace. Save in one or two unfortunate directions there have been no bellicose incitements, no wild fulminations meant to stir up wrath. We believe it may be said with just as much truth that most of the monarchs of Europe are now, as always, equally undesirous that the peace should be further broken. In its attitude towards the present crisis the press of Europe has undoubtedly given a faithful reflection of the general trend of public opinion. There are no irresistible waves of popular feeling, no gusts of angry passion such as sweep whole peoples into war before they are well aware of what they are doing. Who, then, makes war? The answer is to be found in the Chancelleries of Europe, among the men who have too long played with human lives as pawns in the game of chess, who have become so enmeshed in formulas and the jargon of diplomacy that they have ceased to bo conscious of the poignant realities with which they trifle. And thus will war continue to be ipadp until the great masses, who are the sport of professional schemers and dreamers, Gay the word which shall bring, not eternal peace, for that is impossible, but a determination that wars shall be fought only in a j.ust and righteous and vital cause. If that word is ever to be spoken there never was a more appropriate occasion than the present, and we trust it will be spoken while there is yet time.”