Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 69, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 April 1904 — THE REIGN OF BLOSD. [ARTICLE]

THE REIGN OF BLOSD.

There Are Nine Distinct Ware Now Disfiguring Civilization. Apart from the Kusso-.Tapanose struggle, which has scarcely as yet begun and the end of which no man can safely predict, there are several other wars raging throughout the world. Indeed, it may safely he said that rarely before has there been such widespread bloodshed on earth.

In South Africa the Germans nre waging war against the natives.and have, on several occasions, notwithstanding their superior equipment and military knowledge, experienced defeat. In other portions of Africa the British are conducting two wars—one against the natives of Nigeria and the second and, more important one against the Mad Mullah of Somaliland. It was predicted many months ago that the latter conflict would he short-lived nnd that the natives would melt away before the British advance. But, instead, .they have preferred to fight and have already cost the British many valuable lives and many millions of dollars. Nor is the end yet, and before it is reached England will receive another valuable lesson, ns she did in the Boer war, not to underestimate her foes.

Besides these African wars. England is engaged in another fight with the Thibetans, whose country she invaded for the purpose • of forcing upon them her civilization. In the Philippines the Moros are being still “assimilated” through the agency of army bullets. In the Balkans the Macedonian, Albanian and Turk nre mixing matters in such a kaleidoscopic form that it is difficult to beep track of their operations; and now it is announced that Austria is preparing to send troops to the affected region. In the West Indies war is raging in San Domingo and one of the fairest islands on earth is being turned into a wilderness. The oldest of all the struggles now being fought anywhere is that between the Dutch and Aehinese in northern Sumatra. That struggle began in 1573 and has been carried on with short intermission ever since. The last tidings from that distracted island announce the killing of 541 Aehinese, while the opposing force of the Dutch lost three men killed nnd 25 wounded. The figures speak more of a slaughter than of a battle.