Page images
PDF
EPUB

thanks, "even if we cannot print it." What I said then, and the Times would not print, is just as true to-day (September 17th) as it was then. It seems to me that our administration and the most of the press, even the otherwise sensible and respectable portion of the press, have gone crazy on the subject of the "rights" of Americans on the sea. There seems to be no appreciation of what this world war means.

If there is a big fire in the heart of a city the danger district is roped off and pedestrians and teams are not allowed to enter therein. Haven't they a right to use the public streets? Yes, ordinarily, but during a conflagration it is considered judicious and justifiable to restrain persons from exercising this ordinary right, both for their own safety, and so as not to interfere with the firemen in their duties.

During times of great public disturbance, mob violence, etc., citizens are warned off the streets, except at their own peril. Those so foolish as to insist on their precious right to use the public streets without judgment, sense or reason, sometimes suffer consequences to themselves that are not pleasant. And can we be sorry for them?

Many other familiar illustrations could be given showing that what, under normal circumstances is a proper and unquestioned right, may, under abnormal circumstances, become dangerous, foolish and altogether questionable. I would unhesitatingly put under this head the traveling of American citizens on belligerent ships, particularly ammunition carriers, during this world war.

44

After the Lusitania correspondence, ending with the rather formidable expression, 'an unfriendly act," of President Wilson, there was a lull. It was up to Germany to show her attitude not by words, but by acts. It was thought for some time that Germany was cowed against torpedoing any more T British ammunition ships for fear there might be Americans aboard! Then came the sinking of the Arabic, with the loss of two American citizens, one a naturalized citizen and an American lady who had lived in Paris for many years. And the Arabic could not be carrying ammunition to England because she was on a westbound trip! Now what defense can be given?

The Arabic had been busily engaged for many months previous as an ammunition carrier. She was going back for another load. What would the American attitude be toward an enemy ship going after another load of ammunition, if we were at war? Would the incidental presence of fool neutral passengers on such ship change our attitude toward it?

The Arabic incident caused our government to make another demand for "humanity," and our rights on the sea. The drowning of non-combatants in the open sea is a dreadful thing. The sinking of the Arabic was about one ten-thousandth as dreadful as what took place on the continent of Europe the same day, or any day. Non-combatants of both sexes and all ages have suffered every known outrage and misery on land during this war, and in numbers many, many times the loss of non-combatants at sea, without a protest from our government. I do not say that our government should have mixed in. But that it does mix in concerning far less injury to non-combatants at sea shows an inconsistency, unless it is because a few of the latter happen to be Americans. But why were they there, when they had as good opportunities to travel on safe ships? This whole

muddle reduces itself to the effort to protect a few foolish Americans in a whim, or worse, and at the risk of war! To me it seems so foolish, when the problem could be so easily solved by warning our citizens against traveling in belligerent ships during this war, except at their own peril and on their own responsibility.

A Great Diplomatic "Victory."

About in the last week of August, in the correspondence based on the Arabic incident, it seemed that Germany was going to "be good," and yield all our claims; that is, not torpedo any enemy ships on which there was likely to be any d. f. American passengers. This was hailed as a great diplomatic victory for President Wilson. But there were a few other collateral facts. The German submarine warfare had not been prospering as well as hoped for, and a total of about fifty German submarines had been destroyed, which was about Germany's full supply at the beginning of the war, and it usually takes two years to build one. But by frequent relays of men this time has been cut down to less than a year. So it seems that Germany was about to curtail her submarine activity materially from necessity.

And another thing occurred. Austria, fearing that a break in diplomatic relations would stop the flow of $150,000,000 per year from Austro-Hungarians in this country to their people left behind, made bold for once to make a demand upon Germany, and this demand was that the submarine warfare be so modified as to not lead to a diplomatic break with the United States.

Then there is the question of credit after the war. Germany does not wish to so offend the greatest source of capital and credit that she will not be able to get any of this necessity after the war, leaving this great advantage to her enemies.

So there are substantial reasons for Germany to at least apparently yield to President Wilson's perfect rhetoric-reasons entirely outside of the rhetoric.

Here is a brief re-statement of the case: Our government wishes to limit Germany to the international understanding before submarines came into use. Germany holds that the advent of the submarine so changes conditions that the old rule or understanding no longer applies; and I think Germany is right; particularly toward ammunition carriers, whether they carry passengers or notand they should not. She contends that she has a right to use methods developed during a war, and if old customs are infracted by new developments, the old customs must go-at any rate until a new custom, under the new conditions, can be agreed upon after the war.

Our government makes a plea for "humanity' yet there has been no protest against the sinking of a belligerent vessel by a submarine unless accompanied by American loss of life. No one claims that this diplomatic "tempest" with Germany would ever have arisen if there had not been American loss of life. And no attention has been paid to the easy method of preventing such a diplomatic controversy by merely warning our citizens from belligerent ships, as long as there are plenty of neutral ships, including our own, to accommodate American travel. The claim is that this would be an unwarranted interference with American rights upon the sea. It seems to me that this is a very narrow and trifling basis for so serious a diplomatic controversy with a friendly power. Much more

[blocks in formation]

This word is carrying the thoughtless and the uninformed off their feet just now. I intended to write something on this subject for this talk, but I have not been able to get the statistics that I wanted. I am not "moved" by this word. I know that this country is more free from any real danger of military or naval injury now than_at any time during the past ten, fifteen, twenty-five years or more. What foreign country could injure us, even if it wanted to? All the powerful nations have more than they can do without attacking us. And they all value our friendship now more than in ordinary times because of the non-military value we can be to them. And after this war, no European nation will wish to fight again, nor be in condition to fight again for many years to come. And they will all be more anxious to sell their bonds here than to pick a quarrel with us. We have not been as safe from possible military attack by Europe for generations as we are now. So why get frightened?

True, the war news from Europe every day makes us think of military matters, and makes us think of self-protection. The military and naval branches of our government should learn all the lessons that the European war gives, and apply them to our defense. That is their business. We (the public) need not do it. We are doing other things; and if it were not for the things that the rest of us are doing, there could be no army or navy at all. The soldier usually thinks that he is all of it. But who feeds him? Who clothes him? Upon whom does he helplessly depend for all that he has and all that he uses? He always demands more money. But he has not used efficiently the large sums that have been given him. Other countries get much more military and naval efficiency per million dollars appropriated.

Our military and naval establishments are too expensive for the present efficiency. The salaries of our officers and enlisted men are much higher than similar ranks in other countries. Political favor to prominent members of Congress has placed many army posts where they could do nc good if this country were attacked. Before crying for more "preparedness," politics should be taken out of these two departments, and the army and navy should show better use of the immense sums that are given to them every year.

Not having yet collected all the figures that I wanted in order to say more, let me present the leading editorial in the Independent for September 20th, which is the best thing I have seen on this subject:

There can no longer be any doubt that the question of national defense will be the paramount issue before the next Congress. What, therefore, should be the attitude of sane and patriotic citizens in regard to this most controverted question?

The Constitution imposes upon the Government of the United States the duty of maintaining such a force as will enable it to suppress domestic insurrection, to enforce the laws and to protect the states from invasion. For over one hundred years the

United States Army and Navy have been able to accomplish these purposes. Yet in times of peace the army has been little more than a police force and until within the past generation our navy has been almost as insignificant in size. But now, we are told, the golden day of our security is past. The oceans have become rivers. We are in the world movement whether we like it or not, and all mankind is armed or arming.

President Wilson has called for the facts of the situation. Secretary Daniels wants more fast cruisers, a host of submarines and a great aeroplane auxiliary. Secretary Garrison, in a temperate article published recently in these columns, asks for an increase in the regular and reserve army. If such extremists as the Army and Navy Leagues have their way our fleet will be doubled, our little army of less than 100,000 raised to 500,000, and our current military appropriations increased from $259,000,000 to $500,000,000 or more a year, a sum larger than the combined revenue produced by the Aldrich-Payne tariff, the income tax and the corporation tax.

Many of our most eminent newspapers and public men are calling for an investigation of our "unpreparedness." No reasonable person can object to this. An inquiry should be made into any matter of public concern whenever a considerable portion of the public want it. We agree, therefore, with President Butler when he recently said:

"I should welcome a properly conducted inquiry into the military and naval expenditures made by the Government of the United States in recent years, because I believe that the first result of such inquiry would be to show that under better administrative conditions and under more businesslike management we should have gotten much more for the money spent or to put it in another way, we should have gotten what we need for less money."

This surmise of President Butler is right. There is something wrong with the way our military appropriations are expended. It has cost us more in the past decade to keep our army of 90,000 than Switzerland to maintain her citizen army of 500,000. Our army of 1913-14 cost $173,000,000, which was about what Germany expended on her entire army in the same period. It costs us about $1,200 per year to keep a soldier, while the soldiers of the European nations can be provided for at a third or even a quarter of that amount. When we add pensions to our expenses for the army, navy and state militia, our total military bill was $497,000,000 when the war began the greatest sum ever spent by any nation for military purposes.

We can all agree that our military expenditures need investigation and efficiency methods installed in the operation of the army and navy. If such an investigation showed there was imperative necessity of an increase, The Independent would of course favor it. But is there any need now apparent for such an increase in our army and navy as to make them equal to the best in Europe or Asia? We can do this, of course, if we wish. We have the men. We have the material. We have the money. We have a manufacturing genius.

Our navy is probably equal to any in the world except England's, and ship for ship is said to have no superior. Yet it is quite evident that we need more submarines and fast cruisers. This war has demonstrated that harbors and coasts can be fully protected with mines and submarines. Even the great English fleet does not make a landing on the German or even the Belgian shore. A corollary (Continued over next leaf.)

Opportunity's Knocking at Your Door

We give you an opportunity to obtain several of our well-known specialties on approval. If they prove satisfactory you will be glad to pay for them, while any that may prove unsatisfactory you are not expected to pay for.

You are to be sole judge and we will not question your decision.

Please note that the shipment is made all charges prepaid and that there is nothing to return if none of the products prove up to expectations.

We urge every physician who is as yet unfamiliar with our products to sign and mail the coupon below.

THE MALTBIE CHEMICAL COMPANY

Drysdale's Aperient Tablets

Formula: Rhubarb 14 gr., aloes 14 gr., ipecac 5-12 gr., nux vomica 1⁄2 gr.

The demand for laxatives is universal. Many NEW products are constantly appearing, yet it is doubtful if many are equal to the OLD Drysdale formula which we redeemed a few years ago.

The Editor of THE MEDICAL WORLD said of this formula: "No cathartic will cure constipation. But this tonic laxative will come as near to it as anything the Editor has ever discovered. A cathartic leaves the musculature of the intestine debilitated and the patient is worse than previous to ingesting the cathartic; this formula is not in any sense a cathartic, and tones up the intestine so that the patient is practically better after taking it, even through long periods."

Price: 1,000 pink-coated tablets...

Chromiac Tablets

$1.25

[blocks in formation]

Prescribed with marked success in Impotency, Neurasthenia and extreme Nervous Debility.

It is not a "specific," but it has produced satisfactory results in many cases that had refused to respond to other treatment.

25 Cases. Dr. T., Ga., says chromiac tablets are "a wonder." In a series of 25 cases of impotence I have had but one failure.

Neurasthenia. Dr. W., Texas, writes: "Am using chromiac tablets with fine results in neurasthenia or general run down conditions in either sex, but especially women."

Price: 1,000, $2.75; 500, $1.50; 100, 35c.

Calcreose, Powder and Tablets

Formula: Calcreose is a chemical combination of creosote with calcium. A reddish-brown granular powder. Represents 50 per cent. pure beechwood creosote.

Indications: Throat and lung diseases, gastrointestinal disorders (flatulence, diarrhoea, typhoid fever), etc.

Clinical Evidence: Much clinical evidence will be found in this space in previous issues of this journal.

Price: Subject to market changes.

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY

Cholecystitis Tablets

Formula: Sodium salicylate from oil wintergreen 11⁄2 gr., sodium oleate (acid) 11⁄2 gr., sodium choleate 1 gr., phenolphthalein gr., menthol 1-10 gr. Indications: Derangements of the biliary system and conditions resulting from deficient secretions of bile.

Stubborn Liver Troubles. Dr. K., New Jersey, said that he gets better results from the use of Cholecystitis Tablets in stubborn liver troubles than any other combination he has ever employed.

Rheumatic Conditions. Dr. P., New York, recommends Cholecystitis Tablets very highly in rheumatic conditions where the liver is inactive and the excess of uric acid in the blood produces kidney disturbances.

Price: Boxes of 200 brown-coated tablets, $1.00.

Unguentum Iodi. Dahl.

(Iodized Ointment.)

Formula: Contains 4 per cent. iodine (same iodine strength as the U. S. P. ointment), but rapidly disappears upon application to the skin, leaving practically no stain, an advantage over the U. S. P. product that every user will appreciate.

Indications: Same as U. S. P. ointment. It will be found particularly efficacious in the reduction of non-suppurating inflammatory swellings of the glandular system, inflamed muscles and joints (particularly those of gouty or rheumatic origin), both for its local and general effect. This can also be said of that large class of goiters which receive such prompt relief from iodine medications, as an abortifacient for boils, carbuncles, beginning skin infections and erysipelas.

Price: Dozen 1-ounce glass jars......

ORDER HERE

THE MALTBIE CHEMICAL CO.
Newark, New Jersey
Please send me, all charges prepaid:
1,000 Drysdale's Aperient Tablets..
200 Cholecystitis Tablets. Price..
1⁄2 Doz. Ung. Iodi. Dahl. Price.
500 Chromiac Tablets. Price..

.$2.40

M. W. 10

$1.25

1.00

1.20

1.50

I will remit in 60 days for all that are satisfactory. Nothing to be returned, nothing to be paid, if results are not satisfactory.

Dr.....

Address.....

from this would mean that with enough of such defenses the whole coast line of the United States could be rendered safe from attack.

As for the regular army it should doubtless be enlarged by a moderate quota of men. Our outlying possessions and our increased responsibility in this hemisphere would in any case require this. The length of service might also be reduced from seven to three years so that more men would enlist. Then those who have served three years could be put on the reserve list for four years. The various states could also be encouraged to strengthen their militia. We need also more highly trained officers. West Point should be enlarged or other training schools such as the Virginia Military Institute at Lexington should be raised to West Point's level.

But we want no military training in the schools, universal conscription, or a large standing army. A nucleus army ready to hold an enemy at bay until the citizen army can be put in the field is sufficient. A larger force than this would be the first step toward militarism. No one can read the early history of the United States without seeing how our forefathers feared a large standing army as the greatest foe of liberty. And no one can read the lessons of the great war now raging without coming to the same conclusion.

What we want is not to withdraw thousands of young men from the fields and factories to the barracks, compelling them to go thru the drudgery of drill for years, but we need rather arsenals of ammunition, accouterments and equipment ready for use at a day's notice, factories to produce more if the occasion requires, and a carefully prepared plan for the instant and most efficient utilization of troops and equipment.

Then with an efficient navy for the first defense, a nucleus army sufficient to hold the trenches until the citizens can take the field, and plenty of equipment, we are safe from any conceivable invasion.

If

Let us always realize that the universal cause of war is the failure of government. If the British government under George III had been what it should have been, there would have been no Revolutionary war. If we had possessed the wisdom to deal with negro slavery as it was dealt with by other civilized governments, there would have been no rebellion. If Spain had governed Cuba better, and if it had not been for our jingo press, there would have been no Spanish-American war. there had been an international government competent to deal with the relations of the European governments, peace would now prevail in Europe instead of the greatest war in all history-frequently called "the causeless war." All the preparation for war by the different European governments, particularly the most military one, Germany, only made the war more certain and more terrible. Thus is proved the falsity of the claim that the purpose of this great fighting machine was to

preserve peace.

Preparation for war does not result in peace. It only makes war more certain and more terrible. The only way to prevent war is to improve government. The only way to prevent clashes at arms between nations is to establish an international government, to which armed forces will be subordinate, like our army and navy is subordinate to our government.

The most rational "preparedness" against war is to improve national government, in order to increase civil efficiency and promote domestic con

tent, and extend the blessings of rational government to international relations. The latter is particularly to the point. THE FAILURE OF GOVERNMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL WARS. If I could drive this truth into the understanding of every voter in this country, our attitude toward war would immediately change. Our country would become the light bearer thru the clouds of war to the sunshine of intelligent peace. If this great truth could be placed in the understanding of every soldier in Europe, the statesmanship that leads to murder of the masses would be repudiated, and a leadership of sufficient intelligence to avoid such catastrophes would be demanded.

The thing that the world needs now, incomparably more than anything else, is intelligence in the realm of government. Reason in the realm of government is of greater value than fighting men, ships, munitions of war and all the paraphernalia of conflict. Intelligent government thruout the civilized world would not permit the destruction of conflict. Its prime object would be to preserve all the good that civilization has produced, and this could be done with greater justice to all than battles ever lead to.

The different competing Portland cement manufacturers of this country contribute one cent for every bag of cement sold, to put into a general fund to promote the uses of Portland cement. This is intelligent co-operation among competing firms. If every nation would contribute say one-twentieth of its war budget to a general fund to be used by an international committee to develop means by which international war would become unnecessary, we would soon learn how not to make a horrid spectacle of our civilization to the savage, or to "the man from Mars." If a man from Mars would now look down upon Europe, and upon our own "preparedness" militarists, he would say, "What fools are the inhabitants of Earth." If the savages of the remote places of the earth could read our papers, they would send our missionaries home, saying that their own civilization and religion are much better than Europe and its kind can offer them.

Wars are the result of failure and incompetence of government. The only rational peace program is to make government rational and intelligent.

PRACTICAL POINTS.

Doctor, make your Ford car a year-round car by equipping it with a Cozy Cab Top. To be sheltered from rain and cold, snow and hail, heat and dust is to free your mind from worry about the weather. In the past the coupé body has been the only means of securing proper protection. However, the coupé body has several serious objections, one of which is the price, which is excessive. The Cozy Cab Top offers more for $50 than you would get in a coupé body costing $200 or more. See illustration on adv. page viii, and fill out and mail the coupon for further information.

A teacher who is fond of putting the class thra natural history examinations is often surprised by their mental agility. He recently asked them to tell him "What animal is satisfied with the least nourishment?''

"The moth!" one of them shouted confidently. "It eats nothing but holes."-Atlanta Journal.

(Continued on page se.)

[graphic]

"Lives of Great Men

Oft' Remind Us"

When marble and stone have crumbled to dust, the words and deeds of great men will still remain.

J. MARION SIMS is recognized as having been one of the world's greatest surgeons and has been justly called the "Father of Gynecology."

He Said

"For severe Dysmenorrhea, I have found Hayden's
Viburnum Compound of great service." Vol. 2, of Grailly
Hewitt on Disease of Women, with notes by J. Marion
Sims, M.D.

The opinion of J. Marion Sims as to the therapeutic value of Hayden's Viburnum Compound is being continuously substantiated by thousands of physicians who are daily employing the genuine H.V. C., in their practice.

Not only in Dysmenorrhea but in Menorrhagia, Rigid Os, Post Partum and After Pains and in other gynecological and obstetrical conditions where indicated, HAYDEN'S VIBURNUM COMPOUND has proven dependable.

Administered in hot water in teaspoonful doses, the original H.V.C. will not disappoint you. for clinical observation, and literature.

Send for sample Indisputable authoritative evidence of the therapeutic value of the component parts of Hayden's Viburnum Compound is contained in the booklet "The Reason Why." Let us send it to you.

NEW YORK PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY

BEDFORD SPRINGS, BEDFORD, MASS.

Try Hayden's Uric Solvent in that next Rheumatic or Gouty Case.

[blocks in formation]

The principal carbohydrate in Mellin's Food is maltose, which seems to be particularly well adapted in the feeding of poorly nourished infants. Marked benefit may be expected by beginning with the above formula and gradually increasing the Mellin's Food until a gain in weight is observed. Relatively large amounts of Mellin's Food may be given, as maltose is immediately available nutrition. The limit of assimilation for maltose is much higher than other sugars, and the reason for increasing this energy-giving carbohydrate is the minimum amount of fat in the diet made necessary from the wellknown inability of marasmic infants to digest enough fat to satisfy their nutritive needs.

MELLIN'S FOOD COMPANY,

BOSTON, MASS.

« PreviousContinue »