NAWSA SUBJECT FILE StroNg, SydNey [*Think you will like this*] FROM GENEVA (The following are extracts from a letter by Tracy Strong on [I??lemotion] Can of the Y.M.C A from Geneva, to the "family," dated September 14, 1937.) Dear Family: Mother has written about our hurried trip to Northern Italy. The day in Italy seemed calm and beautiful. How woderfully beautiful are the hills around the lakes. The hotels are crowded and are having their best season for many years. How quickly people, when it comes to holidays forget. The first batch of tourists were French, then came the English and now there are droves of Germans. Today we have received news of the death of Europe's greatest statesman since the war, President Masarek of Czchecoslovakia. Born of a coachman's family he early showed an interest in philosophy, religion and intellectual learning. He studied in American and at one time taught in Yale. Here he married an American who has meant much to him and the new country. He always worked for the independence of the Czchecs and was therefore an exile from his own nation. He taught for many years in England and then was called upon to organize the Czchec legion in Russia and marched around the world to fight with the allies. He helped Wilson with his fourteen points and then quietly and effectively led his people into a faith in Demoncracy and a sane philosophy of life. He died a man of faith and believed in the ultimate triumph of truth. He was very helpful in the establishment of the Y.M.C.A. in Czchecoslovakia. His life is worthy of study and exemplification. China continues to be on the front page of our thoughts and work. My dealings with our leaders in the Far East make me believe more and more in the power of Christ to help men rise above the tensions and passions of the moment. Both of our national leaders are cooperating with the forces in their own nation but never loosing sight of the fact that they belong to a larger fellowship. Many others are entering into their common sufferings. I believe more and more that force will not make people be good. China has been driven to her trust in force but it doesn't make it right. Neither will sanctions and boycotts or rooting out submarines with gas bombs in the Mediterranean bring peace and justice. Neutrality on the part of America is just as ineffective and is in danger of making for ignorance of world affairs and national selfishness and cowardice. We're in for a long hard seige which calls for faith in God and confidence in one another, plus a lot of brains applied to each problem in the place where it occurs combined with the ability to compromise in the immediate without surrendering the ultimate goal and truth. Palestine is now before the League. Again I think that we are being led down a blind alley and that the real spirit of facing the facts and the situation are not being followed. I was greatly impressed by a speech made by Dr. Magnese, an American Jew who is president of the Hebrew University at Jerusalem. He opposes partition but believes that the Arabs and the Jews can get together if there is a larger attitude taken by all parties concerned. Power politics or trust in big powers will not bring satisfactory solutions to most of our questions. Reports are now beginning to come from the Conference in Edinburgh on Faith and Order. I am seeing anew the weakness and the strength of the Church and these questions which once seemed inconsequental take on new meaning when they either unite or separate human beings. Keep your eyes on the Church for certain tendencies are taking place which may be just as significant as the news which comes almost hourly over the radio. Sydney Strong NEW YORK.N.Y.5 JUN 6 430 PM 1934 THIS SIDE OF CARD IS FOR ADDRESS Alice Stone Blackwell [Utha? Gomez] Boston Mass Announcement - to a few friends. [*??????*] Expect to spend the Summer on the Pacific Coast. Leave New York June 15th. Attend College Commencement and National Congregational Council — both at Oberlin, Ohio. — June 16th - 26. ( Address, Main Post-Office, Oberlin, Ohio. ) Be around Chicago, June 28th - July 4th. (Address, Care Unity, 700 Oakwood Boulevard, Chicago) Then, on to California (Address 664 Creek Drive, Menlo Park Calif. - for July) Then, to Seattle. (Address, 508 Garfield St. — for August plus.) Return to New York before October. Am prepared to speak on the following topics: 1. What I learned in my two years at Geneva. 2. What I learned in my three trips to Russia. 3. What country is the "villian" in the Peace Drama. 4. Wake up! Cheer up! Day is here! 5. The Soul of America--How is democracy getting on? June 2nd '34 Sydney Strong, Hotel Wolcott - 4 West 31st, N.Y.C. Le Byron St Nov. 17, 1933 Anna Louise Strong on Russia & World Peace. Clarence R Skinner presiding, Russia & World Peace. ¶ Miss Strong: 1st thought that comes to mind of most[s] Amis is trade. To Soviet Union the biggest thing about it is the stabilization of peace. Last Aug 4 went in airplane to see how [harvat] was going on — big plane that wd carry 12. They were used to small airplanes fo sowing, Explained how it cd be used in war. [Old] free sent 2d [would] Can we make em ourselves? Yes. Alas then we can be at peace. Peasant women often ask me, "Why cant they let us alone to build?" Average Am [the] 3 of Brest Litovsk. Immediately discovered all the secret treaties giving Russia control over other countries. Then there was invasion fr every side, British French Poles [?????] & till 19210-21 constant series of invasions, & civil war wh blew up 1000 bridges, so that Moscow had 2 [ful] fuel-less winters. Moscow govt telephoned to Wilson & everyone whose address they had "What will you take for peace? Territory? Monies? Gold? Got no answer, only more 4 invasions. Then 1920-21 period of relative peace. Cd not get hospital supplies - no major country has so suffered for war in modern times. When Russia was 1st admitted at Genoa as an unwanted step child Tchitchurin urged general disarmament - got abt same treatment they had rec'd ever since - 1st period, getting out of world war 2d trying for peace & disarmament 3rd trying to build up disarmament pacts w their neighbors fr 1922 on. thinks Soviet fear of war is cooked up by gov't to reconcile em to [?ards??f?] of 5 yr plan. Consider [histo] history of last 15 years Cause of Bolshievik rev was desire for peace, & this overthrew Kerensky. Russia suffered more in war & lost more t any other nation - suffered to exhaustion - when I went there, everything was [?duboy?] - the slogan was "Peace land & bread," 1st act of new gov't was an appeal to both allies & enemies to consider peace - all turned em down & Germans gave robber peace 5 In 1919? Italy began to trade, & gradually trade relations grew. 1st recognition given to any of the seceding states carved out of old Russia - Finland, Latvia, and Esttonia, Lithuania _ Soviet Union was 1st to reorganize them. Rumors of wars all through this time - ?Curzorted? to Russia that they must withdraw their diplomatic reps fr Persia & Aghhanistan 7 [?] understand why US, who likes them wanted an open door & a strong united [?] -- Britain & France want to divide up [?] - & in London Conf a rep of Germany proposed to take Ukraine - In every country is a minority that wants to gain some object & to be paid in a slice of Russia - In Germany many Russian citizens were beaten up & [?oil wells?] 8 More 71000 persons employed in connection w RR killed & often tortured - Yugoslavian frontier - What have been some of the methods they the RR have taken? Proposing disarmament. When President R proposes it he is supported by Russians but opposed by the Am delegates. All the foreign press comments on it. The nov. agg 6 Assassination of popular ambassador & it was believed war was abt to begin - I remember how the people poured out of the factories - Then Britain & other countries recognized Russia, but their reps were murdered in China & elsewhere, & R was treated as a Russia - One thing that made ways worse was that the grt rep of the west, wh holds the purse strings of Europe, wouldn't recognize them 9 The non-aggression pacts are not any complete security but are helpful. Litvinof got such pacts during [?]ondry Conf. Turkey was 1st in 1925; For Lithuania Germany "No [??????????] & no indemnities" was invented by Russians before Wilson took it (2) up. Question, who is aggressor? Russia at Geneva proposed to [defer] define as aggressor any 12 Does more > anyone else to take curse off war - soldiers spend < 1/2 time on being a university - are taught trades - I was at farm in Caucasus where were perhaps 50 Ams to several 1000 Russians - farm had been badly managed - [people sol] officials stole everything - needed help to get in harvest, & appealed for help - 270 Red Army men were sent down 11 Another thing proposed at London by Russians [by] was economic nonaggression - That the nations shd go over the question what it cd buy & how it cd use another nation's surplus - some questions as to future. The Red Army - [If it] wd have been fools & wd have been conquered. 14 nation if it declared war, or [?? suiss ??] war sent armed forces across the border, or if it that at their ships - or if it allowed on its territory armed forces wh[?] raid across the border & wh[?] they don't put down if asked. Smaller nations approved but Eng & France opposed. (Had been raids fr Poland & elsewhere) 13 & they took ground near us & beat us - worked 50 min & then rested 10 - showed em now to org their work, & had baths w every day, [ths] 15 miles for river - shower baths, white sheets, sanitation - newspapers a[?] tactfully done - 40 [miles?] [for] RR - Are trained to [*CH*??] In Central Asia arsey[?] org fight against grass hoppers - a desperate battle where men lost their lives & their reason - got em into trerelus[?] & gasolined em & burned em. 15 absorbed & interested in building up their own country & don't want it. Believe world war is not the necessary preim{?] of a world rev - that misery and economic collapse in any country may cause it. Also is feeling that w modern warfare world war might [*??*] not only lead to world sea[?] but might 16 destroy very thing for 200[?] yrs. Soviet Union is only country that does not want to export - does it only to pay for in parts. If you are convicted of beating your wife, you may be sentenced to 2 weeks of forced labor on roads or canals &c - Men who do particularly find work on canal given decoration th[?] o[?] thieves & murderers & I have been out in Red Army camp in vacation & they spend 4 hrs in All on army practice & 6 in All on [?] work - least out of [sp??ing] young men by military spirit. Acc Communist [?], is destined to be a world revolution & that if a big war starts it will end in revolution. Then don't they want a world war? 10 yrs of barhops, but not now. Are so thousands were set free. April 23rd 1932. RUSSIA'S DISARMAMENT PROPOSALS Five Years Ago. It is now five years since Russia made her Total Disarmament Proposals, to be carried out generally, and with immediate speed. The statesmen of Christendom turned them down. At the time, I gathered for a full page of a daily paper on the Pacific Coast the opinions of 60 American citizens, on "what I think of the Proposals" and "What I think America should do." I happened to find this in my scrap-book, and am reproducing some of them, below. They furnish interesting reading. The arguments hold just as well now as five years ago. It is not too late for the Disarmament Conference to turn to Total Disarmament. There may be a deadlock. I am praying for it. Some delegates may be big and far-sighted enough to lead out in proclaiming that the only way to real peace for mankind is Total Disarmament. (I heard no woman's voice). Since listening to the last three days discussion I am more than ever convinced of the wisdom and sanity of Total Disarmament Now. Why not be realists enough to realise, that there can be no real cure of war by reduction and limitation of arms, but real pace can come only by Total Disarmament, immediately undertaken. Germany was nearly disarmed in 1919. This shows what can be done. It was done in 90 days. There are brains enough to do a complete and general job of disarmament, in six months - a period of time that is liable to be spent by the Conference, in flatteries, wranglings, talking in a circle. Mankind wants a real pace, not a mere shifting of positions, in military strength. Are not our leaders (the cream of them are in Geneva, this week) brave and big enough to make a dash for Total Disarmament? Yours for Total Disarmament Now, Sydney Strong. Care American Express, Geneva. _____ What I think of the Russian Proposals, and What America should do. Opinions - five years old, but still good. DEVERE ALLEN - As a 100% American it pains me to think that we could profit from following a suggestion emanating from another country, and Russia in particular. It is such a sensible proposal, I fear Russia will only have her labor for her pains. CLEMENT M. BIDDLE - This proposal tends to upset the world's greatest bar to progress - complacency. . . . America should install some 20th century thinkers in her state department. NORMAN B. BARR - It is the greatest opportunity to eliminate war that has every been offered in the history of the world. The United States should offer its cooperation. W. E. B. DuBOIS - I am glad of Russia's proposal. I think America should offer to disarm with the rest of the powers. M. O. EVANS - God called Israel out of Egypt to teach the world religion. And, here at last comes "Bolshevik" Russia with a real proposal far in advance of any that has ever be made in the interests of peace and human well-being. WILLIAM FLOYD - Armaments are absurd for any nation except the few big powers. Small powers waste their income building forts and ships, which can be destroyed in a week. Great powers are secure only in their imagination. Combinations can defeat any one 2.- nation. Peace has not followed armaments. . . Russia's plan is new, courageous, logical. It should be adopted by all nations. No one will suffer. Every country will be at least as safe as now. S. LOUISE FOULKES - America should have been first to propose this. "Hats off" to Russia - manifesting greater enlightment, as shown in these proposals, than other so-called "Christian" nations. KATE CRANE-GRATZ - Regret that America did not have the foresight nor sense to initiate the movement first. AUSTIN E. GRIFFITHS - The proposals should be taken most seriously. JANE GARROTT - One of the noblest gestures ever made by any government in the history of the world. . . . Those delegates who rebuffed Russia do not represent the common people of the world. . . If we are ever moved to support another disarmament Conference, let us at least be sure, that we are not supporting a body, that should be called, a "Conference for the Continuance of Armaments." ELLEN HAYES - With Russia's disarmament proposal the moral leadership of the world passes definitely into her hands. The people of the United States are called upon to rescue their government from the clutches of Big Business - operating through organizations of politicians - and fall into line behind Russia, with the declaration: "We are as a nation, forever done with war!" JOHN HANES HOIMES - Hurrah for Russia! The Bolsheviki called the bluff in magnificent fashion and the result is what we see. If ever the lid was ripped off hypocrisy and ineptitude, it was done at this time. Hurrah for Russia again! DAVID STARR JORDAN - I think of Russia's proposals in the nature of a bluff. America ought to accept them - but, will not, because we have so much money in armament and the details of imperialism. A big navy is a gigantic national adornment. Why should not the biggest spend most on navies or diamonds? FREDERICK J. LIBBY - Reports from Geneva indicate that Russia is constantly working toward disarmament by any practicable plan available. The conference between Briand and Livitnoff is particularly encouraging. W. D. LANE - This proposal says, "If you are really serious about putting an end to war; if you are really ready to quit fighting, you will have not farther need of armies and navies. Scrap your navies and disband your armies. . . "With whatever scorn or contempt the proposal may be treated, it will not down. It will continue to haunt all peace conferences. It is the acid test of any proposition for permanent peace. EDWARD LAIRD MILLS - I believe Russia's proposals are sincere and should receive serious consideration. JOHN ORTH - A tremendous proposal. Have we faith and courage to second it? For, if not, we must take the consequences. WILLIAM PICKENS - The Russians are right: That the way to disarm is to disarm - not to reduce the number and calibre of guns. America should make a like proposal to all the nations, and endeavor to bring the only stable peace, a peace without threats. HENRY W. PINKHAM - The United States ought to follow suit. 3. - J. HENRY SCATTERGOOD - The first proposal of its kind in all history made by the responsible government of a great people. It will ever stand as a challenge to the powers. Its purpose finds a friendly response among millions of people. The clear-cut Russian proposal is a great stimulus toward the new vision of a great statecraft. S. A. STOCKWELL - Greatest contribution to world peace ever made and goes to the root of the diabolical evil. The United States should immediately cooperate in this venture for a warless world. FRED W. SHORTERS - I believe Russia is sincere. At the same time she probably expected to get a little fun out of the squirming of the hypocritical representative of the other big nations. UPTON SINCLAIR - Get on the band wagon. NORMAN THOMAS - A challenge of immense value. The U. S. should at once agree to come in with other nations to make general disarmament effective. If not, why not? HARRY F. WARD - The challenge is the test of the governments of the world. We should at once accept the principle of total disarmament within a period of five years and invite the other nations to a conference to sign agreements to accomplish it in progressive steps. THEODORE K. VOGLER - Never before has America had such a glorious opportunity to go the whole way, and with Russia declare in deed as in word, that she is in earnest about following the Prince of Peace. LYDIA G. WENTWORTH - Russia's proposal gives an intelligent response, that no half-way measures will suffice to eradicate a crime. ROBERT WHITAKER - Her proposals are stated with the utmost frankness. Their first objective was to show up the capitalistic peace talk for what it is - bunk and worse. Beyond this Russia is willing to go any distance the Allies will go for world peace. America ought to second this, or make a better one of her own. She will do neither, because Wall Street governs. LINCOLN WIRT - Did a goal of derisive laughter sweep the world when Russia challenged the League of Nations to disarm? Yet, one remembers that the scoffers of long ago once said, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" If Russia is bluffing, why not call her bluff? ____ Comment. - Instead of heading toward a deadlock - a logical conclusion of endless whitling down arguments over qualitative and quantitative reduction - why not turn to total disarmament now - and see how quickly the peoples of the world will brighten up. _____ [*S*] (From New York Times, October 6, 930). FIRST AMERICAN PAPER APPEARS IN MOSCOW _____ [*Greeby*] [??] Anna Louise Strong Edits Periodical in English for Our Specialists There. _____ By WALTER DURANTY Wireless to The New York Times. MOSCOW, Oct. 5 -- The first newspaper in the English language appeared in Moscow today. It is called the Moscow News and is an eight-page periodical which will appear every five days. It is edited by the well-known American writer and lecturer Anna Louise Strong, and primarily is intended for the American specialists and their families in Russia, who now number upward of 2,000, may scattered in outlying points, remote from home and from Russian news. Among the staff is young Jack Chen, son of the former Chinese Foreign Minister, Eugene Chen, who is studying newspaper illustration at the Moscow Art School and contributes a vigorous futuristic cartoon illustrating Lenin's phrase. "Soviet power, plus American technic, will build socialism." The first number not unnaturally presents Russian news in an optimistic form, but it seems creditably free from "propaganda" as such and has interesting features about the American colony and its activities in Moscow, Kharkov, Stalingrad and elsewhere. _____ NOTE: - Several friends of my daughter have expressed a wish to become subscribers to The Moscow News, this "first time in history" paper. Permit me to say that I am willing temporarily to receive and forward the names of any such, that they may start with the first number. Make checks payable to Anna Louise Strong, and send to the undersigned. SIDNEY STRONG, 4 West 31st Street, New York City. Subscription $3.00 per annum. _____ One inquires about "getting a good job on your daughter's paper, preferably as a base-ball writer!" Sydney Strong About Anna Louise Strong's paper [*S. Strong*] TO BRITAIN - APPEAL AND WARNING Last night I heard a lecture on Shanghai. It was illustrated with photographs. I saw shell-holds, refugees, thousands of wrecked homes - gruesome evidences of the cruel, cowardly attack on defenseless people, women and children. That happened about the same time I heard Yen declare before the Council of the League, "In three hours, the bombing will be begun!" At that moment, I looked at Simon, Boncour, of the Council. If they had said with emphasis, "That must not go on", Japan would have paused. But, they were like David, weighted down with heavy armor. They had "special interests." After the lecture, a friend told me that he had just come from Poland, and learned from reliable sources that Japan had placed there a very heavy order for military supplies. The Disarmament Conference yesterday (after 14 weeks now) voted to appoint a special committee on chemicals and bacteriology! I mention this not to laugh, but to illustrate the irreconciliable conflict when the problem of disarmament is approached by the principle of reduction. No hope in technicians. Every day brings me evidence that the problem of disarmament cannot be solved except by immediate total disarmament. This is a law of peace. To talk about reduction is not merely a waste of time, it is to engage in incantations, besides letting the divine Day of Opportunity go by. Ten years ago, I declared, as did others, that reparations and debts ought to be sponged off the slate. I was right, as the Lausanne Conference bears testimony. In the same way, I say that total disarmament at once is the only remedy for war, that should come before the Conference. I am confident that ten years will prove my statement to be correct. Why wait, and do the right thing too late! I am convinced that Britain is the one nation in the Conference that could lead a hopeful movement for immediate total disarmament. I speak of this as a compliment; but also as involving a great responsibility. In the first place, Britain has the dominant power of control in the Conference. Perhaps, I should not disclose this, as she may not be conscious of it. She has the chairman of the Conference, Henderson; the head of the powerful Secretariat (in which the Conference breathes and has its being) Drummond; the best organized delegation. The most controlling resolutions have come from Britain. By far the most powerful peace propaganda at Geneva is British-made. In general, it is a unit and is back of what is called the Budapest Program, the child of the International League of Nations Unions and fathered by Robert Cecil. Among the "peace lobbyists" (like myself) the British are in the large majority, and back of this plan. They are intelligent and are in the "know" all the way up to Henderson. It is the same in the committees working for disarmament, the British are sitting on the front seats, or in the "chair". Half of the information that goes to the American papers (particularly religious and pacifist) to be used in influencing legislation and the public mind is suggested by British. It makes a good combination for team work - with Henderson on the bridge, Simon at the wheel, Drummond in the engine-room, and Grey at the Radio. It is the same in the Council and Assembly of the League, Britain sits next to the throne. In such little matters as the independence of Iraq, or slavery in Liberia, legislation regarding inequalities of sex, or the Free City of Danzig - Britain exercises a dominating influence. In a really big matter like Shanghai and Manchuria, you notice that the "chair" of both the Commissions is occupied by an Englishman. This is noted not in envy, but to point out a fact which locates the responsibility. This gives me my first reason for affirming that Britain ought to lead off at the Conference in a program for immediate general total disarmament. If -2- Simon had presented Litvinoff's Plan for total disarmament, instead of dodging back into the "frame work of the Draft Convention", it would have gone through with a bang, and the people of the earth would by now be singing the "Hallelujah Chorus". The reason for this is plain. In this matter of disarmament, the law of primogeniture works. The "eldest" must start. You remember the story of when Jesus faced a council of men over stoning an adulterous woman. They could not stand his searching eyes of truth, and went out, according to a divine psychology, "Beginning at the eldest, even unto to the last". That was a case of total disarmament, and it started at the right place and proceeded logically. . . It is really silly to suggest that Bolivia, Norway, Persia, go through the agony of listing their arms, while Britain (with America, France and Co.) has high grade submarines, airplanes, ships, all made for war, all over the earth, that could smother the little nations in a month. . . . At any rate, may the Big Powers save themselves from hypocrisy! Britain ought to lead off in the Plan of Total Disarmament, for the reason given. She is the "eldest" - is the biggest, most far-flung military power, and what is sinister is not neglecting to "strengthen her bulwarks" everywhere, as the days are passing by. She has no reason for hastening the work of reduction of arms and can really afford to play the game of watchful waiting - since the present status quo, in its military aspects, is not to her unsatisfactory. Rather significant, there is no plan for reduction that is being proposed - even disarmament down to German's level - that would affect her relative superiority, as a military power. She would be left atop of the world. This is, frankly, why I favor total disarmament, begun by Britain. The world will be left unsafe if Britain does not completely disarm. The destruction of capital-ships will not make Switzerland safer. Frankly, as an American, I favor either complete disarmament for my country - putting it solidly in the Constitution - or possessing the best arms in the world. So, I am forced back to my conviction, that Britain ought to be the one to lead off in a Program for Total Disarmament. Politely, I say, "You first, cousin John. The honors (or honours) are yours!" How much I'd like to be sitting in the Conference, when God had brought about a deadlock (for which many are praying), and in the despair of confusion born of irreconcilable interests, they would turn to Total Disarmament as the one way to world peace, and hear President Henderson say, "The discussion on the resolution for total disarmament will be opened by Sir John Simon". That speech would I am certain be taken down by the recording angel and broadcasted all over the heavens. . . . I have my doubts about some of the other speeches emanating from the same fountain. A second reason for my affirming that Britain ought to lead off in a Program for Total Disarmament is her long record as a war-maker. Frankly, with such a record for making war, the nations of the world would be justified in not feeling safe until Britain was disarmed to their level, or until the world were put under protection of a world police force, that would make America and Britain "behave" as fairly as the little nations. The world cannot be made safe from war, until security obtains equally for all nations. Britain (America, France also) must give more than her word, if she promises to keep the peace, so long as she holds superior weapons in her hands. She must be disarmed, because she has a bad war record. So has America, France, German and Co. This is quite beside the point. I am after Britain, for it lies with her to lead in Total Disarmament for reasons given (and there are others). Her war record precludes her being "trusted" so long as she has arms at all, and especially of a rare quality. Now, as to this war record. Quickly I admit my people share it. And, other nations are besmeared with blood. I am driving home the point (clarified by my observations in Geneva) that Britain by her position and strength is the one to lead in a Total Disarmament Plan, or it will not be done. One reason for this is that her war record makes her untrustworthy, unless stripped of arms. -3- I brought with me to Geneva a little book, entitled "Dymond on War". It has an Introduction by John Bright. It comes out of the middle of last century, but its 86 pages constitute a classic, which would make all statesmen wiser. Bright is willing to describe war as "the sum of all villainies". Dymond states that between the years 1141 and 1815, "an interval of 676 years, our country (England) was at war with France alone 266 years". "Adding our wars with other countries, one half of the last six of seven centuries has been spent by this country in war!" Dymond also produces tables showing the cost in lives and money for the 25 years between 1855-80. It is staggering. The cost of war since 1880 is beyond the imagination of men to conceive! Personally, I share all this inheritance as much as someone born in London. It however remains that Britain, because of her war record, is the one to lead in total disarmament. Otherwise, she cannot be trusted, as her record is too bad. Many years ago I visited Egypt and Palestine. Gordon was in the Sudan, and Turkish guards kept peace over Christian shrines in the Holy Land. Later, I spent many weeks from Cape Town to Durban to Johannesburg to Beira to Rhodesia and back through the Suez. During those two score years, the map from the Cape to Cairo, from Joppa to Bombay was getting redder and redder. There can be no doubt that Britain's soldiers, marines, airmen have much to do with the map changes. I heard General Allenby relate how he entered Jerusalem. In the escort, back of him, came riflemen from Australasia and 40,000 camels. They "struck hard". I read lately that Britain was centralizing her forces around the Mediterranian, at Cyprus! It is easy to imagine Britain's planes going from there to India and to Cape Town, and if necessary covering all the regions roundabout! It has a sombre aspect. I confess when I recall Bowring, writer of two most exquisite Christian hymns, "Watchman, tell us of the Night", "God is Love, God is Mercy", and that he was one of the war makers in the Chinese Opium War, a century ago, that really marked the beginning of "all our woes" in China - and recall Balfour (whose books on religion I read with profit) and there rises with him the names of Ireland and Palestine - I confess that I tremble as Britain's war record unrolls before me. Britain is mine in the same way that Shakespeare, Burns, are mine. Thirty years ago I escorted over a hundred American boys (on bicycles) to their shrines, and all round Great Britain. "The Lady of the Lake" was read on the Silver Strand on our wedding trip. So, Britain is mine. I have helped to maintain her fine highways, her old-fashioned candle-lighted inns and church services and East-End Settlements. I even helped to keep going that celebrated British institution, Thos Cook and Sons, by buying tickets for a tour round Palestine! I confess I tremble when I recall Britain's war record and see what is going on today. She has so many "special interests" in the Far East, the Near East, and from North to South Poles, that seem to need buttressing by arms! The same morning I read of bombing in Shanghai I also read of bombing in Northwest India! So it goes. I cannot escape the conviction that Britain's war record is such, that she must step right out of the first in any Plan of total disarmament. "Beginning at the eldest". Britain has had a habit (as other nations) of encircling her competitors. When a nation is armed, and as powerfully as Britain, this process is sinister in contemplation. It would be quite easy and natural to be friendly to Italy with France in her eye; to be friendly with France with Germany in her eye; to be friendly with France and Poland with Russia in her eye; to be friendly with Japan with India and America in her eye. Such is the political game, and it is not difficult to think of Britain encircling America, as a competitor. So it goes. There is no way to take the poison out of nations in competition, and remove the danger of war, except the way of complete general disarmament. To bring this about the nations must have Britain's lead. My appeal is to her thus to lead the world out into peace. It may be difficult and require brains to adjust nations to a new alignment. But something like it is necessary, and it must be done quick, or no brains will be left. -4- My third reason why Britain ought to lead off in a Plan of Total Disarmament comes as a warning. If Britain, in this the supreme day of opportunity, fails, it will be to court disaster for herself and mankind. A war, with mankind armed as now, will certainly spell extinction for much of our best civilization, with its attendant horrors. If America had the position and will to lead in this, how happy I should be! Manifest destiny clearly points to Britain as foreordained to do this. America could play a good second. I believe that she would, if Britain were to lead out. Let Mr. Macdonald telephone Mr. Hoover on reading this, and make the dare! Some leader some day is going to do this. It is now Britain's chance. If Herbert Hoover were to bring this to pass, he wouldn't need to spend any money for election expenses. Britain has produced many great leaders. Is there not one now great enough to throw open the gates for a new day, by turning the lever of total disarmament? Britain, I covet your power for America! A supreme honor hangs over your head. Now is the time! If you do not lead, the sceptre will be taken from your hand! Meantime, mankind will walk in great darkness and bitterness. If you fail not in this the hour of man's great need and lead the world out into total disarmament - then will be indeed peace and good will! God wills this! Britain, do you want peace? There can be no peace without total disarmament. How can there be peace when every Great Power in Europe is armed for a war. It is easier to get disarmament than to handle world economics. Disarmament is the sole protection against war. Britain is in the supreme position. Will she accept the honor? The quicker it is done, the better. Given total disarmament, capitalists and communists can fight it out in the forums and legislative halls. Without total disarmament - which Britain could give if she would - people are advised to begin digging and provisioning a shelter a couple of hundred feet under ground in anticipation of the deluge". Sydney Strong Care, The American Express Geneva. MISS WOOLLEY EINSTEIN AND PONSONBY I sat with the "press" while a few hours apart, but on the same day, Miss Woolley told us about the "news from home" - and Einstein and Ponsonby together gave us their opinion about the Conference, and what should be done. Miss Woolley first. She sat in Room 20 of the Hotel des Bergues, while her "class" as she called us sat about her. There were 20 or 30 of us. She had before her letters, cables and petitions from America. Sunday was her red-day for cables, doubtless because in a "week-end message" more words could be sent for the money! It was a revelation of the desires of the people, shown to her their representative. It was "atmosphere" from New Orleans to Minneapolis, from Boston to Portland, where "rolls the Oregon". A lot of farm papers showed a keen interest in disarmament, because it might bring back prosperity. Hundreds of students in Berkeley asked to be saved from cynicism of government. Salem, Oregon, had just completed six weeks campaign of classes on disarmament, which resulted in hundreds of signatures being sent on. The ministers of Pasadena declared that disarmament must not fail. The International Club of North Dakota petitioned for drastic cutting of arms. A Service Star Legion demanded that "our descendants do not suffer". Olympia, Washington, "almost up in Canada, sent word "from just two common folks who wish for peace". The Brooklyn Federation of Churches, with 17,000 members, put itself on record for reduction of armaments. Oberlin College sent a petition with 502 names. A farmer's wife in Maryland, 200 friends in Pasadena, Topeka, Postal Clerks - all wished the success of the Conference. Some young people in New Orleans sent word, "We have decided to have no more war. Can be better citizens. Hope you will succeed in making a safe world. We understand that the Conference is not making progress. Give 'em rotten eggs and popguns". Bishop McConnell cabled for the Federal Council of Churches, with twenty millions members. In the office of J. J. Handsaker, Portland, eleven organisations joined in sending their desire for early action. The South is much alive. Many are specific in their proposals. Miss Woolley intimated that the Delegation would be "almost ashamed to go home with nothing done". She also intimated that the Delegation was a "unit in wanting reduction". She also intimated that large numbers "at home" were asking for total disarmament, though generally as a goal, rather than immediate. Miss Woolley was very affable and square in her replies. I went away wondering what would happen, if now after four months, that the Conference had not come to the point of mentioning a single weapon that was considered "aggressive" to be consigned to the nether regions, after the technicians had been splitting hairs; after proposals were being made, like the following by the Spanish Delegation, in the Air Commission that the "height of the ceiling of the aircraft, which has been correctly designed and constructed, is expressed by the following formula: d - 3/b s P2/G. where d is the ratio between the density of the air at sea level and at the height of the ceiling, b the lifting capacity of the airoplane, P its power, s the wing surface and G the total weight" - after such discussions infinitum, in fine quality and huge quantity. Suppose Miss Woolley were to declare to all the inhabitants in the United States what one of the abest American newspaper men in the world has just written me, "I think that all talk about the limitation of armaments is the bunk" and say further, that there was 2.- but one way to a solution of the armament problem, and that was abolition - the multitudes of America in the valleys and on the mountains would rejoice, as having found their New Freedom. Einstein and Ponsonby These two men came to town in the morning and left on the evening trains. Ponsonby is a good fellow in spite of the handicap of being a "Lord" and Einstein as everybody knows is one of the Three Wise Men of mankind, in fact is such a good Christian that Dr. Fosdick gave him a permanent membership, in stone, in his fine "cathedral" on Riverside Drive. Einstein proclaimed the 2% idea in War Resistance. (For buttons send to Arbitrator, 114 E. 31, N. Y. City). Ponsonby has a good peace record by writing some years ago (and getting a 100,000 others) the Prime Minister, that in case of another war, he was to be counted out, absolutely. They came down to Geneva on purpose to give their testimony on the problem of disarmament. There ought to have been a big public meeting with broadcasting, but their managers (things are managed here in closed committees) thought they knew better. They browsed around the League of Nations for awhile, listened to the discussions of some of the technicians and met the "press" for a couple of hours. About forty were there with their pencils sharpened. Might have been better advertised - but the "good" always labor under the handicap of poverty! Ponsoby said that the prospect of failure urged all peace lovers to get up an interest. There was great power lying back in the masses, that was waiting for a bold proposal. He favored a plan of complete disarmament done in five years. Geneva seems to lead to involved language instead of simplicity. The number is increasing in all lands that will refuse to participate in war. Einstein said that the efforts of the Conference were amusing if not so tragic. No method of technicians could abolish war. There must be first the will, character and intelligence. Whether moral disarmament should come first was like the question of the priority of the egg or the hen. Aside from the plan of total disarmament by all, the most practical measure would be for all to disarm down to the level of Germany. This would be a move in the right direction. He urged that women should urge men to refuse military service. . . . He said that disarmament was not the only question. Men must renounce supreme loyalty to their nations. There must be a new kind of society. He held that Labor should and would play a large part in the problem of disarmament. Here are three definite things that were urged: 1. Abolition of conscription; 2. Immediate cessation of recruiting and enlistment; 3. Immediate cessation of the manufacture of munitions and weapons of war. They both believed that men were running a fatal race with time. Statesmen have a moral obligation to save the lads of today from the horrors of war. Complete and universal disarmament alone can ensure the world against war. And while these two men were quietly giving their testimony for disarmament in Geneva, up at Zurich at the same hour the voice of Labor was speaking in convention debates and resolutions. The delegates were being urged to go back home and work for disarmament by example. "Not only must the workers resist war but if war came they should be prepared to take advantage of the situation it created to win power and establish Socialism." That "bold proposal" mentioned by Ponsonby, that would arouse the masses - I have been turning the matter over in my mind, and I can honestly think of nothing that would come so near doing it - is not reduction and limitation (at mention of those words, the people yawn and turn over and go to sleep) - that "bold proposal" would be met by. GENERAL TOTAL DISARMAMENT NOW. Care, American Express Geneva. Sydney Strong. Sydney Strong YEN, 'MODEL GOVERNOR,' THANKS JAPANESE FOR UNIFYING CHINA By ANNA LOUISE STRONG (Made available by the courtesy of Sydney Strong, father) ON BOARD YEN HSI-SHAN'S SPECIAL TRAIN AT CHENGCHOW, Honan Province, China - (By Trans-Pacific Clipper to FP from Hongkong) -- "There is much hate of the Japanese among our people because of the hundreds of thousands of victims they have slaughtered. But I am not sure whether we should hate the Japanese or thank them for unifying our country and compelling it to modernize itself under pressure." These words of aged Gen. Yen Hsi-shan, famous for 30 years as the governor of the "model province" of Shansi, now commanding officer of the northwest front in China, came like a breath of fresh air after the murky political atmosphere of Hankow, where I had been spending the last 10 days. Hankow is full of politicians and political cross-currents and foggy with rumors. I therefore welcomed the chance to go north on the special train of Gen. Yen, commander of the Shansi front, which besides two army corps of central government troops and two more of provincial troops, includes the eighth route or former red army under Chu Teh. I was interested to know how the old-style "model governor" famed as a benevolent dictator of the personal variety, had accommodated himself to this combination. With us on the train are some 500 students, going north to be organized into a new university. Hankow is so full of refugee students that Gen. Yen conceived the idea of giving free transportation and full support to students who wished to join his new university. Students will not indulge in studies aloof from life, but will learn to organize mass movements in support of the army. "In the long run Japan cannot beat China," the general said. "China's vast territory and manpower put her in a different class from Korea and Abyssinia. Japan is too small to absorb China, just as a man with a small stomach cannot swallow a piece of meat much bigger than himself. "Recently the Japanese slaughtered all the women and children of seven villages near Pinghsingkwan, accusing these unfortunates of being agents of the Soviet Union. Things like this so arouse the Chinese that one may say there are a hundred million ablebodied males and the same number of ablebodied women who in one way or another will keep up the struggle against Japan. A certain proportion will succumb to Japanese pressure, but most have learned that there is no hope but slavery unless they defend themselves." "China had political unity for 2,000 years," the general explained. "It is the world's oldest nation. We were proud. We disdained the rest of the world. This prevented us from realizing our economic backwardness. Now under Japanese aggression we are compelled to break with the old and rebuild on a modern basis. Therefore I say I am definitely grateful to Japan, who forces us to modernize our country." In reply to my query as to whether help from the Soviet Union was expected or hoped for, the general replied: "I hope they may to some extent help China, but I realize the international complications. Especially in Britain's attitude. Great Britain does not want Japan to conquer China and erect a great Asiatic power, but neither does she want China to become close to the Soviets, and if China should by herself become a strong Asiatic power, I think this also would not please Britain. "So under these circumstances, I think it would not be good for the Soviet Union to help us too much just now, but rather to wait till a strong international bloc can be developed of England, America, and the U.S.S.R." Children in the Soviet Union (Following are a few words sent out by wireless, September 24th., from Moscow by Anna Louise Strong, in the WORLD NEWS of the Federated Press. - S.S.) [Part at by i Chol g iL profile] MOSCOW (by wireless to FP) The proud title of "children's fatherland" is claimed for the Soviet Union by the newspaper, Pravda, in a special number outlining the changes of the past 20 years. "Child care begins at birth. In czarist Russia there were only nine mothers' consultation centers in the entire country. Today single townships have more than that. The whole Soviet Union boasts of 4,175, with a total of 22,500,000 visits. There is an average of seven free medical consultations for every child born. "Day nurseries for tiny tots were neglible in number under the czar. Today the Ukraine alone has 90,000 beds in permanent nurseries and accommodated 947,000 children in seasonal rural nurseries. "The school population has quadrupled - from 7,800,000 to 30,000,000. Schooling grew especially among the minor nationalities which formerly were not permitted to study in their own language. Universal education is in effect. "Secondary schools have been established throughout the U.S.S.R. In czarist times there were only 436 secondary schools in all Russia. Now there are 32,500. "The quality and variety of education is much higher. Czarist Russia had only a handful of kindergartens and 125 playgrounds. The Soviet Union has 35,000 kindergartens and 92,000 playgrounds. The growth of these institutions in the rural districts has been remarkable, especially since collectivation. "Extra-school activities such as clubhouses and technical station camps show an even greater growth. There are over 1,000 Pioneer palaces for children, half of them in rural areas. There are over 500 stations for nature study and inventions in the Russian part of the Soviet Union alone. "Last year 8,151 camps gave 760,000 children access to fresh air, woods and rivers. Special children's polyclinics, non-existent in czarist times, now number 887. They give many-sided care for children's health without payment and as the birthright of the Soviet child." THE SWORD OF DAMOCLES. W. I. Hull Swarthmore College, and I were sitting in the Press Gallery of the Glass-House, Geneva, while the Naval Commission of the Disarmament Conference was in session. Admirals, statesmen, flanked by experts, as advisers, were discussing ships, submarines, mines, chemicals, bacteria - seeking to agree upon which might be listed as offensive, specially dangerous to civilians or inhuman. They had their eyes down on their tables or,looking up at manuscripts. During a translation, Mr. Hull said to me, "That reminds me of the sword of Damocles. You know, he was a courtier of the tyrant of Syracuse, Dionysius, who wishing to rebuke him for his flatteries, seated him at a luxurious banquet, over his head being suspended by a single horse-hair a keen-edged sword. Those men go on discussing range of guns, size of submarines, inhuman weapons and so forth - feasting, while impending disaster, like the sword of Damocles, hangs on a hair, above their heads." "That exactly described a few things I'd like say. You wont object to my using it for a caption, will you?" "Pleased to have you." Since I returned to Geneva, ten days ago, I have attended conferences, commissions on air, land and sea weapons - having to do with the heavens above, the earth beneath and the waters under the earth - and the participants were as Damocles under a sword, suspended by a hair. They were asking, and asking again, What can we do about that sword? As I go on, I ask the reader to keep on raising the question: What shall be done with the sword? How can mankind, our Damocles, escape from war? How can the impending disaster be avoided? The Three Days Debate - April 22 - 24. This debate was by the General Committee of the Disarmament Conference. It was started at the beginning of the session on the 22nd, by John Simon, head of the British delegation. He began by reading this resolution, "Without prejudice to other proposals which fall to be discussed under later heads of the agenda, the Conference declares its approval of the principle of qualitative disarmament; that is, the selection of certain classes or descriptions of weapons with a view to prohibiting by international convention their possession or use by any state." If I had any doubt about Britain holding the dominant control in the Conference, it would have been dissipated by this discussion lead by John Simon. Where is the power there is the responsibility. Simon argued, that many speakers had already spoken in favor of the principle - from Grandhi to Gibson. He possesses a choice collection of flattering compliments. He reasoned that it was best to come to agreement on one principle, rather than try to push several carts through the same door. It would be better to decide on the principle of qualitative disarmament before proceeding to the discussion of quantitative. Nadolny of Germany observed that his delegation would accept prohibition of offensive weapons, if equally applied. In fact, she had proved that it could be done. Choumenkovitch of Yugoslavia felt that weapons of offense could be well used only in special cases with the League's authorization. The use of chemical and bacteriological weapons would call forth a feeling of revolt in the civilized world. Grandi accepted the British resolution in its entirety. Italy attached great importance to qualitative disarmament. On the principle, if not on the method, it should be easy to secure unanimity. Wilford of New Zealand said, "we have come to a mile-stone on the road to progress." 2.- This ended the first day's debate. The sword of Damocles still hung over this General Committee of 100. The Second Day - April 21. Perley of Canada favored the Simon resolution. Canada is opposed to bug guns and aggressive weapons. Favors limitation. Colban of Norway favored the principle of qualitative disarmament, but the application would need to be discussed later. Boncour of France was grateful to Simon for his gracious words of yesterday, but he could not support the resolution in its present form. In fact, France had been among the very first to favor the principle of qualitative disarmament. He felt that arms of a certain strength should be used by international direction. It was impossible to humanize war. France asked for a better formula than the one proposed. Gibson of the United States favored the Simon resolution. It would not be easy to apply the qualitative principle, for example to tanks, heavy guns and gas, but it would be found practicable, if desirable. Lester of the Irish Free State did not believe that the principle of qualitative disarmament would interfers with internationalization. TeWater of South Africa was the next one of the British Family to speak. To him it looked as if it were possible to hope that the Conference was nearing results. He therefore supported the resolution unreservedly. Aga Khan of India gave the approval of his country to the resolution. There must be an end to the pre-war armaments race, which would only produce fresh horrors. Sato of Japan favored the principle, but felt it was necessary to discriminate between weapons, and also situations. Beelaerts van Blokland of the Netherlands and Shedden of Australia, D'Avila Lima of Portugal and Lo of China all favored adopting the qualitative principle. China held that heavy guns, bombing planes. submarines and capital ship should be abolished. Motta of Switzerland felt that the British proposal could be carried out in the form desired by the French delegation. The Conference should seek for unanimity. Titulesco of Rumania then came forward with a resolution signed by thirteen states which said he would tend to make for unity. He asked that the whole matter be referred back to the drafting committee. Litvinoff of Soviet Russia remarked that the last resolution instead of bringing harmony rather tended to disharmony. His delegation had long stood in favor of the qualitative principle. So the second day closed with the Titulesco resolution immediately causing an adjournment until the next day. And, the sword of Damocles hung over them. The Third Day - April 22. Simon was on deck bright and early. It looked as if the two days debate would be for naught. Simon said that he had been pondering over the matter during the night. He observed that all were in favor of qualitative disarmament (of course, no weapons had been agreed upon). He begged leave to to introduce a few words, which would bring entire harmony. Objectionable weapons should be prohibited or internationalised by national convention. Thereupon, Titulesco, after much circumlucation, expressed himself as "satisfied". Tardieu, who had rushed over from Paris, after many words congratulated the Committee on the mutual understanding. Then Sato, Apponyi, Nadolny, 3.- Litvinoff and others, with many reservations, accepted the new text. One bridge had been crossed. It took three days. One important question remained, the method of applying the principle of qualitative disarmament. Again, Simon came to the front and for two hours guided the discussion, until it was unanimously agreed to ask the Land, Sea and Air Commissions to decide what arms were the most offensive and threatening to civilian population, and the most aggressive. The commissions were instructed to get busy. And, the General Committee adjourned until April 27th! The sword of Damocles still hung over them. On April 27th, the General Commission (this is practically the Conference) met for less than one hour! It met long enough to decide that it would not meet again until after Whitsuntide holidays, May 13-16. Elections, German and French disturb the waters. Meantime, the Special Commissions on Air, Sea and Land were urged to get busy on qualitative disarmament, Boncour of France giving the final hint that the question remained entirely open, whether limitation should be done by internationalisation or prohibition! The irreprossible conflict! An important week. The men have been here at this time, who have the most power to bring about disarmament. At one time, I saw Henderson, Simon and Drummond together. At another, Tardieu and Macdonald went out of the meeting, arm in arm. Stimson has been giving lunches to the chief men of the Big Powers. Unquestionably this hobnobing is all to the good. If nations are ever to get-to-gether, their representatives must come together. At times, it looks as if understanding was being arrived at between nations that had been at cross-purposes. Then, all at once, it blows up. Let me illustrate this by speaking of two interviews given to the Press. 1. By Macdonald. At Hotel Beau-Rivage, 7 o'clock. Two hundred newspapers of the Press are there. Three secretaries attended him, and proved to be useful. He was "not to be quoted", he said, but liberty to write about the information he had come to impart was freely granted. The British government is interested in two things, the establishment of the authority of the League of Nations (quite believe this, the League is worth millions to the Empire; in fact, I am prepared to believe that it may grow into a kind of British political Vatican) and to establish peace and order in the world (it would n't surprise me if out of the Conference came a Pax Britannica). He was greatly disappointed (he looked so) at the long drawn out discussions in the Conference. Britain's chief arm is the Navy, but disarmament can come only through international agreement. All nations must come into the pool. He was greatly disappointed that the 5-Powers agreement did not visualize. Also, that Tardieu by bad fate had been taken ill, and as a result important conferences had to be cancelled - with himself compelled to rush back to London for business and Stimson planning to return soon to Washington. And, meanwhile, the sword of Damocles hangs on a thread. In closing, he said that was a bit ominous, that if it was found to be impossible to get reductions from the nations, it should be noted that the clause in the London Treaty permitting increase was not a dead letter. In referring to Lausanne, he said that postponement was not a good policy. Situations must be face squarely. The world ought not to be allowed to go down and down, so, by the end of 20 years, there would be no trade at all. I was impressed by the three secretaries accompanying the Prime Minister. The British impress me as being the most highly organized group here (no other to compare). This makes them most formidable, helpful or dangerous. One of his secretaries, secretaries for example whispered to him. Macdonald at once smiled and remarked to the Press that he had said, Tardieu was ill by "bad fate". He wished to make it clear that he did not say, "ill by bad faith". The British show excellent team play. It is instinct. Macdonald came to the Press to express his disappointment over the disturbance to hopeful plans. 2. By Bruning. At the Hotel Metropole 6.30 sharp. Two hundred of the Press were on hand. There was something on his mind, ason the mind of Macdonald. He had come back to Geneva not to engage in the general discussion, but to meet some responsible statesmen, in order to clarify the situation. He deeply regretted the illness of Tardieu. Germany's position was unchanged, in standing for equality and effective disarmament. The remedy must be partly psychological. There was lack of confidence. There must be international contact especially between France and Germany. There was an intermediate state between war and peace, which must be sought, a state devoid of deception and delusion. (I hope Germany will stick to the principle of equality, as necessary to peace. This applies to America and Britain, as well as to France). Meantime, the sword of Damocles hangs by a thread. What should be done? An American Committee. About a score of Americans meet with some regularity to "talk things over". This week, they seemed burdened about the Far East. Some held that there was little hope for disarmament in Geneva until the Japan-China matter was settled. Others insisted that the world could not wait for every brain-storm to subside. It is in Japan today. It may be in France tomorrow; Germany, the day after. Meantime, the sword of Damocles hangs on a thread. (Again, in the Far East settlement, Britain is exercising the dominant power. There seems to be little doubt that Simon did not lay a restraining hand on Sato, in the long and many meetings of the Council. The heads of the two committee working in the Far East - at Shanghai and in Manchuria - are both British. This remark is made in order to locate responsibility). What Britain wants must always taken into consideration when seeking solution of international problems. When Britain is willing to seek justice in the Far East, and willing to really disarm - there will be a long step taken in the solution of our troubles. I have not noticed any plan suggested by her that would result in any comparative reduction. Sometime, I wish to write about France, Britain and America at the Conference. I have seen enough to lead me to think that Americans are not keenly politically-minded and that France is not playing the role of "tough guy". Meantime, the waters of the beautiful Rhône are flowing under the picturesque Geneva Bridges, and The Sword of Damocles hangs over the Conference (and mankind) on a slender thread. What shall be done? Has the reader found the answer? Here is mine - an answer that has been forming itself day by day, night by night, as impressions have thronged my mind and stirred my soul, THE ONE THING TO DO ABOUT THE SWORD IS NOT TO SHORTEN OR LENGTHEN IT NOT TO SHARPEN OR DULL IT NOT TO DECORATE IT WITH RIBBONS AND GARLANDS NOT TO GILD IT NOT TO WORSHIP IT BUT TO ABOLISH IT - TO PITCH IT OUT THE WINDOW. THIS MEANS TOTAL DISARMAMENT NOW - AS ONLY GUARANTEEING SECURITY AND EQUALITY. The Sword of Damocles, that hangs by a thread over the world - what should be done with it? Sydney Strong. Care, American Express, Geneva. Sydney Strong Greetings to Friends. AS A NEW YEAR TURNS As 1932 turns, I shall be in Geneva - wondering what Peace the New Year will bring forth. On February 2nd will convene the Conference on Disarmamanet, a vital problem for mankind. When shall be gathered all the nations, Mont-Blanc will look down upon them, as for ages past upon Calvin, Upon Caesar, and for ages to come - declaring that the nations are but a drop in the bucket, and that men should look to the mountains for help. As 1932 turns, I am asking in this city by the Lake, whose motto is Post Tenebras Lux, will the Year bring Light? or Darkness? Some Questions. Here are some questions I am asking about the Conference: Will many women be delegates? If not, why not? Half of the human race are women. Women are greatest sufferers from war. Will America send any women? Plenty of fine material. Will America send any Negro to the Conference? Why not? She has 12,000,000 colored citizens- Dr. DuBois, Mordecai Johnson, President Moton - one or all - should be here to voice the rights and wrongs of the colored races of America and Africa. No white man can be trusted to do it. Will Mars be there? Yes, all over the place. The fewer generals, the better the prospect of General Disarmament. Will the Carpenter of Nazareth be there? If so, the doorkeeper will ask him to check his Golden Rule at the door and to wear a dress-suit. Will men of titles be present? Enervating is the influence that titles exercise over democratic Americans. The love of titles for evil is akin to the love of money. Titles will go far to determine the results of the Conference, I fear; for they mean vested interests. Their holders are generally old, unimaginative, and for the status quo. What Part will the Nations Play? As 1932 turns, the nations will begin to gather. To play what part? There will be many obstacles to face: covenants made, oversea colonies, etc. Some of the nations - maybe all - have bad Peace records. The Big Powers will be least willing to sacrifice. The "villain" of the drama will be the "other nation". They will meet in a beautiful Palace of Glass, which will be a constant reminder not to throw stones. And some of the nations - the actors in the drama. I can speak of only a few now. Perhaps later, as they act their parts, I may write again. There will be: - 2 - Switzerland - who is "host" of the Conference. Sad to say she has conscription, and seems to believe in it. Every home a citadel. Denmark - smallest and wisest of the nations. Entitled to lead the grand march in the Day of Disarmament. Japan - lately fallen from grace. Been running in fast company from the Wild West that set her a bad example. Russia - an uncertain factor. Hope she will spring another surprise of near total disarmament. Germany - already disarmed as compared with others. She shows what may be done, and quickly. The same expert committee might be called in to disarm America, Britain, France à la Allemagne: France - will she be the "auto that is holding back the line" of progress? Some say so. I wish to make further study. Her demand for "national safety" cannot be ignored. Britain - will be a powerful factor in the Conference. Has the President of the Conference; also the Director of the League. Has the most effective organisation - with Robert Cecil as Chief promoter - for Peace Propaganda. I should be surprised if Britain totally disarmed by example, but surprises happen in this mercurial world. America - seems to me she plays second fiddle to one or two nations, and doesn't even know it. America has tremendous power which she could and should wield, if aroused and intelligent. These are some of the nations that I shall watch. Of the others, the Scandinavians may be expected to play an honorable part, and would cut as far as any. If it comes to pass that the policing of the world should be done by airplanes, I should vote to put it in the hands of Sweden - as most trustworthy. The Big Powers simply cannot be trusted - so emasculated in character, by armament, have they become. Proposal for World Disarmament. As the Year 1932 turns, here in My Creed for World Disarmament. 1. I favor universal personal disarmament. Every individual should cultivate war resistance to the point of becoming immune. The conscientious objector should not be simply tolerated; he should be honored and exalted. 2. I favor total world disarmament of the nations - and within ninety days from February 2, 1932. The highest national safety lies in that direction. It can be done, and it ought to be done. Some of the nations in the process of purification, like Zacchaeus, might be called upon to restore fourfold what they have wrongly exacted, but that would have a healing grace. 3. I favor big America joining with little Denmark and setting an example of total disarmament to the Big Powers. I favor putting it in the U.S. Constitution, as urged in Senator Fraziers proposed Amendment. 4. If not such proposals, I would favor the following "practical" proposal for the Disarmament Conference: Simultaneous disarmament of all nations to the level of Germany (and her former allies). It can be done - in ninety -3- days - for it has been done. The gentlemen who performed the operation, most of them, still live. . . . Something like this was solemnly promised with cross - my heart gestures, thirteen years ago, by the Big Powers and Co....... It will introduce the greatest "national safety" - because based on equality. It will be a real disarmament - not an attempt to pare down a little (or much) - a process that will not materially improve the Peace Prospect. This plan to disarm - making the present condition of the Central Powers the standard - will keep the Central Powers from arming themselves to the level of the other nations. Such an ambition - which the Central Powers have a perfect right to entertain - if followed would spell disaster to World Peace. The only just and practical way to disarm is for the nations to disarm to the level of the Central Powers. France, it is said, would not consent. Do not be sceptical. She would respond perhaps, as quickly as America, Britain, Italy, Japan. I am convinced that all the nations much approach to Germany's level if they are to arrive at peace, and avoid chaos. As 1932 turns, will it bring a New Era of Peace? May the delegates gathered, where Mont-Blanc looks down upon them, realize that they are not at a Bargaining-Counter, but before a Judgment-Seat - upon whose issues hang the life or death of countless generations of their own children. They must answer to the eternities. Post Tenebras Lux - Will the Year bring Light? or Darkness? Sydney Strong Geneva, Switzerland. Excerpts from a family letter from Tracy Strong, General Secretary World Y. M. C. A. Geneva, Switzerland -- o0 -- The American press is beginning to bring news about the students conferences, the boycott, the recession, and what not. I was interested but not impressed with the stand taken by the A.S.U.. It seems like too changeable a crowd and why not if purposes are largely dependent upon the most feasible solution of the moment. The blend between the long look and the expedient thing is life's problem. To get an understanding of the forces which have led us, as a people, to believe in the philosophy which works. "One cannot doubt that it works. What one doubts is whether the results of this work are valuable." Read the book -- The Golden Day, by Mumford. If you can't find it in the library let me know and I'll try and get Gethman to lend it to you. He believes that the hey-day of American thought was in the days of Emerson, Thoreau and Whitman. He is devastating in his criticism of some of the periods when; "the end is lost in the means, life is smothered in appliances;" You grow six inches tall and then stop growing, why will not somebody grow to be a tree and cast a shadow;" " the practical idealist did not perhaps particularly believe in the work he found himself doing; but he did not believe in anything else sufficiently to cease doing it". And yet America stirs with life and hope and the old world needs her spirit especially if some of you have a foot in the whole world can become interpreters of her best. Had dinner today with Winant. He impresses me the more I see him. Two great forces are sweeping through mankind he believes, one rooted in the economic the other in the spiritual. The economic system has been built too much on a structural patter and needs to be related more and more to the human needs while the spiritual must play its part as the cement which binds the people together with new hope and purpose. He has a fine combination of practical politics and idealism. All of you are getting the training which may prepare you for a service in a field which combines the above. Read a fine article in Cristendom, winter number, on the Church and the next war, Let me give you enough from it to whet your appetites. "Everywhere that Western civilization goes it heads up, at last, in war. It has made Japan a mighty engine of war. It is a dark picture but the Church must look upon it steadily, and with clear realistic eyes. The important thing for us to see is that war is inherent in this civilization of ours. War is not an incident. Peace is the incident : war is the main business. -- We have probably seen our last declared war. We are not going to call it war any more. It is trade, it is co-operation, it is human welfare. In a word, war is civilization. If Christian faith is unable to confront a pessimistic civilization with an authority more commending and a promise more inspiring than a scientific culture can offer, then there is no salvation for either human society or for Christianity. The first thing which the church must do to prepare itself for war is to establish in its own thought the fact of its complete independence in human society. The Church is here because God put it here. -- In the second place the Church must excommunicate war from its Altars. No sanction, no approval, no blessings, no glorifing of heros, no chaplains. (He makes a very interesting point of the difference between the individual's problem as a citizen and the church's with no obligation to the state. In the third place the church must begin to prepare itself against internal division over the pacifist issue. - which is apt to cut across denominations dividing them into pacifist an -- patriotic churches. Both our sins and our ideals must be brought to the white light of God's altar. Neither pacifist nor soldier has a Christian right to make his ideal a ground for dividing the corporate fellowship of the church of Christ. Fourthly the church must effectively disengage itself from the decadent structure of a civilization whose fate in history is about to be sealed. -- It was thrust by a creative act of God into a world to be the bearer of a revelation from him which alone can save the world. Sydney Strong A letter from Anna Louise Strong, mailed on Chinese clipper February 6th, says: "I sail tomorrow Empress of Japan reaching Vancouver February 26th. She states that she has written to Mrs. Roosevelt offering to help in the Red Cross drive or in any other capacity. She notes that she is the first person back with news from all the interior of China, as far northwest as Northern Shansi, where she went on General Yan Hsi-shan's special train, and as far south as Canton where she lunched with the mayor. Incidentally," she says, "I lunched on Chinese New Year en famille with the president of the country, Dr. H.H. Kung, where I was guest of honor.... Today I spent with Madame sun Yet-son. Tomorrow I am to have a second talk with T.V. Soong, chief organizer of the nation's finances.... While Miss Strong was in Canton there were four bomb raids. The only effect of these raids seemed to be to spur on the Chinese to greater effort in the building of "anti-Japanese highways" for military transport. All the Chinese officials with whom Miss Strong talked said; "We must thank our Japanese friends for waking up our country, for compelling us to modernize ourselves, for unifying us as a nation, for creating a national consciousness in the farthest rural districts. They have done for us what we could not have done for ourselves in two peaceful decades. It costs us heavily in suffering, but it is done more quickly that in any other way." "America had to fight nine years for her independence. China can fight nine years, too," said Chiang Kai-shek to his generals. [*Strong*] [*S*] _____ GREETINGS OF THE SEASON A CLARION CALL - By George Lansbury M. P. Yes, the world wants a clarion call for peace, but our pastors, bishops priests will not give the call, cannot give that call until once and for all they declare all war a crime against God and tell Christian men and women it is a denial of God's will to have any part or lot in such a terrible crime. ********* MOTHERS WITH LITTLE SONS - by Angela Morgan ------------------------------------------------------------------------ O mothers with little sons and burning hearts to teach, You are the chosen ones - give hearing, I beseech! The world is a ghastly place since war has slain our men; But yours if the gift and yours the grace to bring love back again. Mothers I beg you heed what hate's dark hand has done; How the hearts of people bleed till peace and right are won. How the maimed and halt and blind, and the dread ones hidden away, Are a challenge to all mankind to fashion a better way. Mothers with little sons, as you hold them to your breast, Teach them to hate the guns; that love and faith are best. Show how the tyrant WAR destroys but does not win; How the goals men battle for are lost with the world's great sin. Strip from the monster's frame his glittering robe of lies; Show him in all his shame to your children's visioning eyes. Show how the lust to kill is the jungle's law of might, And shells dropped down on a helpless town are murder in God's sight. For war is a knave's design, and a coward's brutal scheme, And men whose courage is divine shall foster a nobler dream. O mothers with little sons, the years lie in your hands. You are the chosen ones, men wait for your commands Not till your lips declare: "OUR SONS NO MORE SHALL FIGHT!" ---------------------------------------------------- Shall the crimson soil be fair And the ravaged earth be right. ************* And they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. *************************************************************** From Sydney Strong, Care American Express Co., Geneva. Anti War Poem Angela Morgan [*S Strong*] VOX POPULI - CHALLENGE TO MR. HENDERSON --------------------------------------------------------------------- Mr. Henderson is in a receptive mood these days. Yesterday he received a large delegation representing those organisations that appeared before the General Disarmament Conference on February 6th, when the peoples of the world gave voice to their desires. That was the Day of the Great Petition. That was a fine kick-off, but for some reason the ball has not been advanced very far toward the goal since. To the public it looked as if the ball was most of the time out of bounds. At any rate it seemed to those organisations, largely Christian and Labour, to call upon Mr. Henderson to see from him how the game was progressing. So, the plan of printing all the sayings of the famous February 6th in a book was hit upon - the book to be presented to him on a public occasion, thus giving him and his armour-bearer Mr. Baker (who was present at the "Battle of the Trocadero" last November in Paris) not only a Book of Remembrance ("lest we forget") but for the use in their daily devotions. Before I proceed with a description of this important reception, I would make two remarks, for fear they may be lost if uttered further on. 1. I challenge one statement of his concerning total disarmament. He said that those who sought for immediate total disarmament embarrassed those after real substantial disarmament, and besides this Conference was after reduction and limitation with a possible goal of total disarmament, to be reached by stages. Honestly, Mr. Henderson knows better. He knows that it will be perfectly consistent to abolish poisonous gas completely, or tanks or submarines - if the Conference so sees fit - and to "reduce" all armaments down to absolute zero, if a Conference so sees fit - and do it immediately. I am absolutely certain that the Vox Populi would sing aloud, Hallelujah! Further, as to total and general disarmament being the goal - for which he intimates he himself devoutly hopes - he knows football and knows that occasionally with a remarkably brilliant player the ball is taken at the first kick-off and carried clear across the field for an immediate goal, and not after slow stages. . . . . . The parable and moral are plain. Immediate total disarmament is consistent with the purpose of the Conference, and even more possible, and certainly -2- more beneficial than operating for the Armament-disease of Appendicitis, by slow stages, cutting off an inch now and then. Why not save big doctor's bills, and incidentally the life of the patient, and have it out at once? 2. As to the Christian organisations whose delegates took part in the reception and book presentation, and presented certain requests which they wished the General Conference to grant in the way of disarmament, they correctly affirm that they were the representatives of many millions of the people of the world. I am compelled with sadness to affirm - I am a Christian - that for the second time with Christians failed. They failed that first time after February 6th in going into an educational campaign instead of one action. They failed this time in standing for the "good and not for the best", as I shall show further on. This is not to say that great activities have not been carried on, in receiving resolutions from the world around, in broadcasting countless hours in committee; my idea is, that they failed to use the power that makes the Christian invincible. But more further on. The Reception ---------------------- The meeting was held in Room L of the Glass-house, at 5 p.m. One of the first people to enter the room was Mr. Packard, Quaker, and chairman of one of the principal committees in promotion of disarmament, and in charge of the arrangements for the reception. His arms were filled with material, printed or mimeographed, for the press or delegates. He is one of the lieutenants of Robert Cecil, who is standing for what is called the Budapest Plan, a plan created by an international meeting of the League of Nations Unions. Delegates, visitors, reports, camera-men, and guests of honour began to filter in, and last of all came Mr. Henderson and sat down behind a long table, being flanked by several other distinguished persons - on his right hand being Mr. Benes, Miss Woolley, Senator Swanson, on his left Mr. Baker, Mrs. Ashby, the last reminding me of an ancient Roman woman of the patrician type. After Mr. Henderson had said, "Glad to see you!" Mme. D'Arcis of the "Vox Populi" Committee, in a felicitous address, presented Mr. Henderson with a special copy of the book, "Vox Populi", which contains all the speeches of February 6th. She referred to that unique event, as showing the unity of the world's desire. She quoted from the book (all splendid). -3- "Technical obstacles, however formidable, are not insurmountable if there is a strong will to overcome them". The workers petitioned for the conclusions of a treaty leading to complete, universal and controlled disarmament at the earliest possible moment". "The failure of the Conference would be a world disaster". "The patience of the peoples is strained to the utmost. This is what we ask, or rather, this is what we demand. . . . . . . The workers are firmly decided, if not actually to throw away their arms, at least not to use them against one another". Mme. D'Arcis reminded Mr. Henderson of his own words, "If the people want disarmament, they can have it. If they exert their will, they can compel results . . . . . I hope the people will show the governments that, however far they may be ready to go, their people will be behind them". M. de Watteville thereupon stated what he had been instructed to name as the least result that was expected of the Conference (what a drop from February 6th!) a) a substantial reduction of the national land, naval and air armaments b) the abolition of the most aggressive weapons c) the rigorous control, if not the suppression, of the private manufacture of, and traffic in, arms. This was all! Was it possible that the committee was not aware that a three months' search by sleuths had revealed no "aggressive" weapons? Also, that the question of private manufacture of arms was highly controversial, that small non-industrial nations should not be expected to depend upon big States for military supplies! Further, the word "substantial" reminds us of one of Simon's expansive words, that has one foot on earth and the other on the Milky Way! What does "substantial" imply? Please define the Trinity - are there three substances or one? When Mr. Henderson rose to reply, I was not in a receptive mood, I fear. It was a pleasant speech in tone and left the hearers in more optimistic mood. His discussion of the private manufacture of armaments was not convincing. The same is true of his discussion of a general all-round cut in expenses, for such a cut would leave the nations relatively less safe than at present, with the Big Powers more powerful in proportion than before. He also uttered the meaningless words of "substantial reduction". -4- The most important word he uttered was, that "above all, responsibility lies with the Great Powers, who maintain the principal armed forces of the world. It is they who can give the lead; and if they do make any great decision, they can be sure the rest of the world will gladly follow". I applied it immediately; not in stages. I said, America and Britain - or Britain and America - that means YOU. Don't look over your shoulders at France, but squarely into each other's faces, and say, YOU ANGLO-SAXON, GREATEST SAINT AND GREATEST SINNER, it is up to YOU. Invite in God and let HIM tell you what to do - not in easy stages (there may be none), but immediately. Or invite in some man from Greenland or Thibet - just a normal man from the farm, and Amos - and ask him what to do to save your soul from the hell of war. O. Anglo-Saxon - man of blood and greed - give up your arms at once. Repent! It requires no Cambridge wisdom, no high-geared diplomat (who lies awake at night scheming) - just a little common sense, to tell you what to do. It is something you have to do, not to palaver over, but to DO. That is to Disarm, to DISARM, and at once. The peoples are tired of promises of "pie in the sky" - of future "goals". They demand that you make that goal this year, 1932. You Anglo-Saxon (America, Britain), you can do it (don't lie and write hymns about it) for you had a part in partially disarming Germany. That was done in 90 days. If you contend that it can't be done so speedily - then, call in President Hindenberg. He could do it inside a year, do it gladly and for nothing! Ask him! And then your civilisation with foundation-stones like Shakespeare and Lincoln would have free course and run and be glorified! As it is today, your civilisation is buttressed on cannon! The peoples are growing to hate and fear you. And your fall is only a question of decades, if you do not repent! That means total disarmament, not half. Your talk about "aggressive" weapons, about "private" manufacture of munitions, about "substantial" reductions - all this and like imbecility has become a joke among even "heathen hordes". I say to you, Britain and America - my beloved own Anglo-Saxon - you stand this year of the Lord (how we worship other "Lords"! 1932, the chief enemy to the peace of the world, because you have the power (here Mr. Henderson is correct) which so far you have shown little sign of using for peace. I declare that it will be your fault if Total Disarmament is not actually completed within a year - not promised with crafty words tied up with a Permanent Disarmament Commission, functioning under the League of Nations - but actually done and the Committee discharged -5- and sent home to the activities of peace. We then might have a League of Nations, able to deliberate without jumping at every shot of gun. O, Anglo Saxon! My beloved! Why not step into the glory that stands at hand? Is Zona Gale right? Is it greed? If so, your gluttony will be as stench in your mouth, and the children of neighbours will point at you with derision, as they pass by. Why not step right to the front and say, "Come all ye neighbour-nations. We bring all our arms, all, all ALL, and lay them in the Common Cremation. Come with us!" As saith Mr. Henderson - such a decision the rest of the nations would gladly follow. After-meeting Thoughts Here are some of my thought as I walked away from the Glasshouse; the well-dressed dispersing company, I confess, looking more satisfied and complacent than my own heart. I walked along the Quai called after our own Wilson (who was hand-cuffed by diplomats), across the long bridge, under which more waters run in a year than under London Bridge, slowly up Cathedral Hill, where Calvin laboured for freedom of conscience. I was thinking. First. In periods of anxiety and depression, like the present, men follow one of two courses. They are satisfied with a little, as drowning men catch at straws. In their lack or loss of faith they are satisfied with what they can get. That is what I fear the company of Christians and Labour may do in the present of disarmament. I suspect also that this has been formulated by clever diplomats who know the game. I could name some who are suspect! At any rate, the peoples (the Populi) of the world, in this period of anxiety, will be handed a sham disarmament and advised to thank God for even that, and even sermons will be preached by eminent bishops and addresses by University presidents I know, proving what wonderful progress has been made since the days of Cain. (However, Can, the first military man, was thrown out of the Garden, wasn't he? A striking precedent unhappily not followed today). The people will be enjoined to count their mercies, and name them one by one, as they count their beads or eat in the kitchens of aristocrats. In the days of depression, like the present, men may do something quite different, and make a long run of faith for the goal. I have been praying for a deadlock. This is where my hope comes in. This depression-time, when men like Mr. Henderson are preaching peace, when there is no peace, the POWER that is bigger -6- than the Big Powers sometimes paralyzes the Big Powers (the leaders are blind men) in order to let something really Big be born, some Idea that has been moving in the womb of Nature. Sometimes this is called a revolution. Sometimes it isn't. In any case it is a child of Hope and Faith - a time when Man makes for the distant Goal, and REACHES IT. This is one of those periods. It is a called for men and women for faith - not to be contented with crumbs that fall from the statesmen's tables, with our children dying in hunger and blood - to make for the only goal which will mean disarmament, that is total and immediate. And, O Anglo-Saxon, God has handed that job to you today. It is not a job for a putterer! It is your job - not France's, not Germany's, not Japan's - but your, you long legged, long-headed, politically-minded, far-planning, obstinate Anglo-Saxon, you modern Jacob with 100% name for veracity yet to establish. O Anglo-Saxon - mighty in games, in drinks, in conquests, in religion, in gunpowder, growing in arrogance - the centre of the stage is yours today, the curtain is up, the audience is waiting, a great audience! Will you play the part of a Great Hero of the Race, and hand humanity, not as an actor but as a Son of Man, before the curtain goes down at the close of 1932, a totally, universally disarmed world? The stage is yours. You can do it, if you will! Will you? Now is time for Action As I walked up Cathedral Hill, I turned upon myself and said, "Well, what have you got to offer? What is there to be done?" This is in part what I said to myself (remember, the subject is disarmament and the Conference). 1. The day for resolutions is over; this is the time for action. 2. The day of education is over. Education is essential and important, but when the General Conference was opened on February 2nd, it was time to close up the school books and get out into the field of action. Education at such periods is not only a diversion, it may be used as an opiate, especially when clearly propaganda for some specific scheme of disarmament. 3. The day of reflecting on the causes of war is over, this is the time for action. Such reflections are important, but they should be left now for winter evenings, sitting before the fireplace, eating apples and pop-corn. 4. This is not the time to discuss changes in the social framework, but for action. Well what have I to mention as action? First. Discover the location of the dominant will. I have located it to my satisfaction. It lies chiefly in my beloved -7- Anglo-Saxon, and of course in the General Conference. Second. Fix in mind, that you are after immediate, total disarmament and nothing less. Don't budge from that position, as you will be tempted to many times. His Satanic Majesty (in disguise is still doing business, offering the old junk of kingdoms of this earth, by flattering offer of a high pinnacle seat, and even offers of a few meals catch some of the hungry, to those who compromise with truth. Third. There are several tried ways to get the human will to move, when something important is needed to be done. One is: Prayer. This must not be overlooked. It is an old weapon for gaining noble action from the stubborn. To have something definite in mind to gain is essential. The World Peace Movement of Women calling for a day to be set aside for prayer on July 29th is action in high realms that may touch buttons that will release power to move that is undreamed of. Let the Anglo-Saxon and the General Conference know that all over the world on that day they are being weighed in the balances of the Eternal Power within us. If Gandhi could have five minutes a day with the Conference and Commissions, it might change the atmosphere enough to effect important decisions. I urge all "within hearing of my voice" to pray with all their strength that the Anglo-Saxon and the delegates may be open minded to the immediate abolition of all arms. The temperance movement in America went on to higher ground with the saving of tens of thousands of young people from Strong Drink, because of a Women's Praying Crusade. I am watching Maude Royden's Crusade in England. Strength to her! If she would hold prayer-crusades at the League and at all war-centres - who knows, it is worth trying. Picketing. This is a form of action that has often brought results. It has been tried on all kinds of evil. It is working in India. Labour has found it useful, or it would not be used so much. This may take the form of a mass action when a group desire is expressed to turn stubborn wills. It may take the form of watchful waiting outside the door - in order to change the mind of the occupant within. People even in Bible days were heard for their much crying. Such things are done to wake up the public and the authorities. Anything to wake people up and get action. Thousands of veteran soldiers have marched on Washington in order to persuade the will of Congress to grant a mere "bonus". I -8- have wondered what would happen if 5,000 young men or women or preachers or workers or soldiers advanced on Geneva, demanding total disarmament and at once - with the announcement that there they would remain until their reasonable and only security for mankind was allowed. I think I can see that the mountains round about Geneva would be filled with the "chariots of God". Fasting. Here is a weapon long in use to gain divine ends (and if ever there was a divine goal, it is immediate, total disarmament) and that is fasting. It has been little tried in the West. Hunger strikes approach to it, and these have been found useful to break down stubborn wills. If the wives of all the delegates to the Conference and of all the Secretariat went on a hunger strike until total disarmament at once was granted and home suffering would open the eyes of the delegates to the sanity of immediate total disarmament. Here are three ancient weapons for bringing slow or unreasonable authorities and judges around to reasonable mentality - exerted on wills, as Mr. Henderson says, "to compel results". There are other kinds of technique, which will suggest themselves to others. I feel conscious and so convinced of the great Idea of Total and Immediate Disarmament being the one and only way to gain peace on earth - so far as armament is concern - that I know it will gain the ascendancy of man's soul; that men by their own invention will find a way to action that compels results - that they will find a way or make one. The leadership in this great Crusade for definite Peace I covet for my own Beloved and Stubborn Anglo-Saxon. Yours for Total Disarmament Now Sydney Strong Care, American Express Geneva. Sydney Strong AMERICAN PROPHETS Edited By SYDNEY STRONG To Alice Stone Blackwell, A mother + a daughter of [?] S.S. The Dawn of 1935 THE SOUL OF AMERICA in her PROPHETS JEFFERSON FRANKLIN WASHINGTON PAINE GARRISON LINCOLN INGERSOLL WEBSTER CHANNING LOWELL HOLMES EMERSON JOSH BILLINGS GEORGE MARKHAM DEBS RAUSCHENBUSCH WHITMAN LINDSAY WHITAKER And Others Edited by Sydney Strong SEATTLE, WASHINGTON 1934 AMERICAN PROPHETS Foreword It is fitting that these selections from American prophets be given the public by Sydney Strong. He himself is a prophet of the first order, and an American with deep ancestral roots. During the war he was ostracized and villified because of his fearless, prophetic peace utterances. Today he is an inspiration to younger men for his courage, tenacity and faith in the future. He believes in the power of justice and he believes in America. It is with desire to put fire into the hearts of others that he sends forth these burning words of other American prophets. He believes that if we are to build a greater America—an America of justice and equality— it must be upon our own American tradition of democracy. FRED W. SHORTER. Church of the People Seattle, Washington 2 AMERICAN PROPHETS Preface This pamphlet is a section of a proposed book, "THE SOUL OF AMERICA," comprising selections from American literature from the Mayflower Pact to the Peace Pact, a period of three hundred years. These selections reveal American idealism in its efforts to escape Old World ideas as expressed in dynasties, aristocracy and eccleciasticism. Here we se the portrayal of the struggle of democracy in America—by which is meant equality, authority of conscience and the sovereignty of the People. These selections naturally divide themselves after the manner of the Hebrew bible—into five parts: Annals, Laws, Songs, Words of Wisdom and Prophecies. This pamphlet consists of part five, called, "The Prophets." The other four parts will be published in the near future. This enterprise, we believe, will have distinct value— the whole furnishing a canon of American Scriptures revealing the soul of America in the evolution of democracy in the New, Western World. Such a book will be for ALL Americans—all sects and races here mingling. The five hundred Americans whose inspired words are used are statesmen, poets, prophets and historians, who, in combined unison, ex- 3 AMERICAN PROPHETS press the MIND of the PEOPLE. The time is ripe for such a book—in an era when democracy is challenged. It will be found useful in homes, schools and churches as furnishing a basis for inspiration and guidance. America has been creating a Calendar of Holidays: emancipation Proclamation Day, Lincoln's and Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Declaration of Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Thanksgiving and Forefathers' Days. it is time that America was discovering her BOOK OF SCRIPTURES SYDNEY STRONG. No Vision—the People Perish THE PROPHETS ARE SPOKESMEN OF GOD WHO REGISTER ETERNAL TRUTH. THEY POINT OUT THE WAY OF LIFE, SO TAHT MEN AND NATIONS NEED NOT GO ASTRAY. THE PROPHETS OF AMERIA FORETELL THE FULFILLMENT AND TRIMPH OF DEMOCRACY —WHEN EQUALITY, THE SOVEREIGNTY OF THE PEOPLE AND THE AUTHORITY OF CONSCIENCE SHALL BE ENTHRONED. America should have but one denominatin—the PEOPLE. —Boston Advertiser, 1776 4 AMERICAN PROPHETS AN EPISTLE TO THE AMERICANS FAITH is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the fathers obtained a good report. Columbus sailed through unknown seas for many days, mid perils of wind and perils fo water, mid perils from faint hearts, mid perils from false brethren, and revealed a new world, and diet knowing not what he had seen. By faith Puritanism, beginning even as a grain of mustard seed, brought forth Eliot and Hampden and Cromwell and Milton and Vane and planted New England. By faith the Pilgrim Fathers, when they were called to go out into a place which they should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and they went out, not knowing whither they went. By faith they sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country with Winthrop and Cotton and Roger Williams, heirs with them of the same promise. By faith Samuel Adams refused to admit of bondage, and was not afraid of the king's commandment. By faith Washington drew his sword, and Jefferson saw that which was invisible. By faith independent was declared, by a nation that was not yet a nation. By faith the farmers stood at Bunker Hill, by faith they endured at Valley Forge, by faith they conquered at Yorktown. And what shall I more say? For the time would fail me to speak of Lafayette and the faith that worked 5 AMERICAN PROPHETS mightily for us in other lands; of Franklin and Madison and Hamilton, who by faith brought us out of confusion into order; of Lincoln also, and the noble army of those who redeemed the land from slavery; of Garrison, who worked mightily with the newspaper, of Phillips on the platform, and Parker in the pulpit, and Whittier with the song, and Sumner in the senate, and John Brown on the scaffold; of America in the council of nations, of faithful soldiers coming up from lowly homes and lying down in unknown graves; of faithful women giving up brothers and sons and husbands. And some had trial bonds and imprisonment, being destitute, afflicted, tormented. These all, having obtained a good report through faith, labored for our welfare and to safeguard democracy throughout the world; and posterity has entered into the fruits of their labor. Wherefore, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, and that with so great a price freedom has been purchased, let us lay aside every weight of selfishness and sloth, and the sins of partisanship and pride, which so easily upset us, let us walk worthy of our great inheritance, let us be creditors of the future even as we are debtors to the past; and let us know that the spirit of history is the God of nations, whose other name is Justice. EDWIN D. MEAD. 6 AMERICAN PROPHETS THE PEOPLE Know of no safe depositary of the ultimate powers of society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesale discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them but to inform their discretion by education. The people are the censors of their governments; and even their errors will tend to keep these to the true principles of their institutions. To punish these errors too severely would be to suppress the only safeguard of the public liberty. With all these blessings, what more is necessary to make us a happy and prosperous people? Still one thing more, fellow-citizens - a wise and frugal government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, which shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned. This is the sum of good government. THOMAS JEFFERSON. 7 AMERICAN PROPHETS GOD NOT DUMB God is not dumb, that He should speak no more; If thou hast wanderings in the wilderness And find'st not Sinai, 'tis thy soul is poor; There towers the mountain of the Voice no less, Which whoso seeks shall find, but he who bends, Intent on manna still and mortal ends, Sees it not, neither hears its thundered lore. Slowly the Bible of the race is writ, And not on paper leaves nor leaves of stone; Each age, each kindred, adds a verse to it, Texts of despair or hope, of joy or moan, While swings the sea, while mists the mountains shroud, While thunder's surge burst on cliffs of cloud, Still at the prophets' feet the nations sit. JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL. 8 AMERICAN PROPHETS DEMOCRACY Democracy in its best sense is merely the letting in of light and air. We shall have learned what is meant by a government of laws, and the allegiance to the sober will of the majority, concentrated in established forms and distributed by legitimate channels, is all that renders democracy possible, is its only conservative principle, the only thing that has made and can keep us a powerful nation instead of a brawling mob. Our healing is not in the storm or in the whirlwind, it is not in monarchies, or aristocracies, or democracies, but will be revealed by the still small voice that speaks to the conscience and the heart, prompting us to a wider and wiser humanity. LOWELL. 9 AMERICAN PROPHETS WOE UNTO YOU! WHITE MAN On the tablets of their memories they preserve this record for posterity. I, at one time, in April, 1787, was astonished when I heard one of their orators, a great chief of the Delaware nation, go over this ground, recapitulating the most extraordinary events which had before happened and concluding in these words: "I admit there are good white men, but they bear no proportion to the bad; the bad must be the strongest, for they rule. They do what they please. They enslave those who are not of their color, although created by the same Great Spirit who created us. They would make slaves of us if they could, but as they cannot do it, they kill us! There is not faith to be placed in their words. They are not like Indians, who are only enemies, while at war, and friends in peace. They will say to an Indian, 'my friend! my brother!' They will take him by the hand, and at the same moment destroy him. And so you (addressing himself to the Christian Indians) will also be treated by them before long. Remember! that this day I have warned you to beware of such friends as these. I know the long knives; they are not to be trusted." "Eleven months thereafter, ninety-six of the same Christian Indians - sixty of these being women and children - were murdered on the spot the words were spoken, by the men alluded to, and in the same manner described." REV. JOHN HECKEWELDER, 1817. 10 AMERICAN PROPHETS EVILS OF SLAVERY There must doubtless be an unhappy influence on the manners of our people produced by the existence of slavery among us. The whole commerce between master and slave is a perpetual exercise of the most boisterous passions, the most unremitting despotism on the one part, and degrading submissions on the other. Our children see this, and learn to imitate it; for man is an imitative animal. With the morals of the people, their industry also is destroyed. For in a warm climate, no man will labour for himself who can make another labour for him. This is so true, that of the proprietors of slaves a very small proportion indeed are ever seen to labour. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with his wrath? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just: that his justice cannot sleep for ever: that considering numbers, nature and natural means only, a revolution of the wheel of fortune, an exchange of situation, is among possible events: that it may become probable by supernatural interference! I think a change already perceptible, since the origin of the present revolution. The spirit of the master is abating, that of the slave rising from the dust, his condition mollify- 11 AMERICAN PROPHETS ing, the way I hope preparing under the auspices of heaven, for a total emancipation, and that this is disposed, in the order of events, to be with the consent of the masters, rather than by their extirpation. THOMAS JEFFERSON, 1780. AFRAID TO RUN "No, sir, I am not unhappy; I have counted the cost, and stand prepared freely to offer up my all in the service of God. Yes, sir, I am fully aware of all the sacrifice I make, in the pledging myself to continue the contest until the last. (Forgive these tears. I had not intended to shed them, and they flow not for myself, but for others,) - But I am commanded to forsake father and mother, wife and children, for Jesus' sake; and as his professed disciple, I stand pledged to do it. The time for fulfilling this pledge in my case, it seems to me, has come. Sir, I dare not flee away from Alton; should I attempt it, I should feel that the angel of the Lord, with his flaming sword, was pursuing me wherever I went. It is because I fear God, that I am not afraid of all who oppose me in this city. No, sir, the contest has commenced here, and here it must be finished. Before God and you all, I here pledge myself to continue it, if need be, till death; and if I fall, my grave shall be made in Alton." LOVEJOY OF ALTON 12 AMERICAN PROPHETS TIME TO AWAKE A government of our own is our natural right; and when a man seriously reflects on the precariousness of human affairs, he will become convinced that it is infinitely wiser and safer to form a constitution of our own in a cool, deliberate manner, while we have it in our power, than to trust such an interesting event to time and change. If we omit it now, some Masaniello may hereafter arise, who laying hold of popular disquietudes, may collect together the desperate and the discontented, and by assuming to themselves the powers of government, finally sweep away the liberties of the continent like a deluge. O! ye that love mankind! Ye that dare oppose, not only the tyranny, but the tyrant, stand forth! Every spot of the old world is overrun with oppression. Freedom hath been hunted round the globe. Asia and Africa have long expelled her. Europe regards her like a stranger, and England hath given her warning to depart. O receive the fugitive, and prepare in time an asylum for mankind. THOMAS PAYNE 13 AMERICAN PROPHETS THE RIGHTS OF MAN A Mr. Todd, a New England merchant, freighted a vessel with slaves for the New Orleans markets, in the interval of his annual thanksgivings to God that the soil of his State was untrodden by the foot of a slave. Garrison said what he thought of the transaction in a newspaper; was tried for libel, and committed to prison till he could pay the imposed fine of a thousand dollars - a sum that might have been a million for any ability he had to pay it. Some record of what was his state of mind at this time was left on his prison wall: "I boast no courage on the battle field, Where hostile troops immix in horrid fray; For love of fame I can no weapon wield, With burning lust an enemy to slay. But test my spirit at the blazing stake, For advocacy of the rights of Man And truth - or on the wheel my body break; Let Persecution place me 'neath its ban; Insult, defame, proscribe my humble name, Yea, put the dagger at my naked breast; If I recoil in terror from the flame - Or recreant prove when peril rears its crest, To save a limb, or shun the public scorn - Then write me down for aye-weakest of woman born." WILLIAM LLOYD GARRISON. 14 AMERICAN PROPHETS LIBERTY FOR ALL They tell me, Liberty, that in thy name, I may not plead for all the human race; That some are born to bondage and disgrace, Some to a heritage of woe and shame, And some to power supreme and glorious fame, With my whole soul I spurn the doctrine base; And, as an equal brotherhood, embrace, All people, and, for all, fair freedom claim. God never made tyrant nor a slave; Woe then to those who dare to desecrate His glorious image - for to all he gave Eternal rights, which none may violate, And by a mighty hand the oppressed he yet shall save. GARRISON. 15 AMERICAN PROPHETS A NEW ERA With America, and in America, a new era commences in human affairs. This era distinguished by free representative government, by entire religious liberty, by improved systems of national intercourse, by a newly awakened and an unconquerable spirit of free inquiry, and by a diffusion of knowledge through the community, such as has been before altogether unknown and unheard of. America, our country, fellow-citizens, our own dear and native land, is inseparably connected, fast, bound up, in fortune and by fate, with these great interests. If they fall, we fall with them; if they stand, it will be because we have maintained them. The freest government cannot long endure when the tendency of the law is to create a rapid accumulation of property in the hands of a few, and to render the masses poor and dependent. DANIEL WEBSTER. 16 AMERICAN PROPHETS THE UNITED STATES AS A WORLD POWER North America has become a new primary planet in the system of the world, which while it takes its own course, in its own orbit, must have effect on the orbit of every other planet, and shift the common center of gravity of the whole system of the European world. The independence of America is fixed as fate; she is mistress of her own fortune; knows that she is so, and will actuate that power which she feels she hath, so as to establish her own system and to change the system of Europe. In this new world we see all the inhabitants not only free, but allowing an universal naturalization to all who wish to be so; and an uncontrolled liberty of using any mode of life they choose, or any means of getting a livelihood that their talents lead them in. Free of all restraints, which take the property of themselves out of their own hands, their souls are their own, and their reason; they are their own masters, and they act; their labour is employed on their own property, and what they produce is their own. This might have been, indeed, the spirit of the British Empire, America being a part of it: This is the spirit of the government of the new Empire of America, Great Britain being no part of it. It is a Vitality, liable, indeed, to many disorders, many dangerous diseases; but it is young and strong, and will struggle, by 17 AMERICAN PROPHETS the vigour of internal healing principles of life, against those evils, and surmount them; like the infant Hercules, it will strangle these serpents in its cradle. Its strength will grow with its years, and it will establish its constitution, and perfect adultness in growth of state. THOMAS POWNALL, 1789. HARSH AS TRUTH I am aware that many object to the severity of my language; but is there not cause for severity? I will be as harsh as Truth, and as uncompromising as Justice. On this subject, I do not wish to think or speak, or write, with moderation. NO! NO! Tell a man whose house is on fire to give a moderate alarm; tell him to moderately rescue his wife from the hands of the ravisher; tell the mother to gradually extricate her babe from the fire into which it has fallen - but urge me not to use moderation in a cause like the present. I am in earnest - I will not equivocate - I will not excuse - I will not retreat a single inch - and I will be heard. The apathy of the people is enough to make every statue leap from its pedestal and hasten the resurrection of the dead. WILLIAM LLOYD GARRISON. 18 AMERICAN PROPHETS AMERICAN DEMOCRACY The root ideas underlying American education: "Man was the most sacred trust of God to the world. Accepted as such, a distinction could not be made between one man and another. All governments were from and for man, and not over him and upon him; all institutions were not his masters but his servants. Therefore he had to be thoroughly enlarged, thoroughly empowered by development, and then thoroughly trusted. America stood in contrast with the world in holding and teaching this idea. "The education of the American people follows, then, as a necessity. They are to be fitted to govern. Since all things are from them and for them, they must be educated to their function, their destiny. America has her governing class, too, and that governing class is the whole people. "And so there comes up the American conception of a common people as an order of nobility, or as standing in the same place to us as orders of nobility stand to other peoples. . . . The whole community, top and bottom and intermediate, the strong and the weak, the rich and the poor, the leaders and the followers, constitute with us the commonwealth. "In America there is not one single element of civilization that has not made to depend in the end upon public opinion. Art, law, administration, policy, reformations of morals, religious teachings, all derive, in our 19 AMERICAN PROPHETS form of society, the most potent influence from the common people." --From an address by HENRY WARD BEECHER. JUSTICE Justice is the law of conscience; it is more temperance in the world of men. Justice is the keynote of the world, and all else is ever out of tune. Man naturally loves justice for its own sake. As the mind loves truth and beauty, so conscience loves the right. Every almshouse shows that the churches have not done their duty. Every jail is a monument on which is writ in letters of iron that we are still heathens. The gallows, black and hideous, lifts its arm, a sign of our infamy, an index of our shame. And war - the worst form of evil! Injustice cannot stand. No armies, no alliance, can hold it up. The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice. Justice is the ideal of man, the rule of conduct writ in the nature of mankind. 20 AMERICAN PROPHETS But the ideal must become actual, God's thought a human thing. You and I can help forward the work. We may prepare the way for the republic of righteousness, the democracy of justice that is to come, God will not disdain to use our prayers, our self-denial and the little atoms of justice that personally belong to us, to establish his mighty work - the development of mankind. All the justice we mature shall bless us here; and at our death, we leave it added to the common store of humankind. Men and women, the duties of the world are on you. God confides to our hands the ark which holds the treasure of the ages. THEODORE PARKER. RIGHTS OF MAN All eyes are opened or opening to the rights of man. The general spread of the light of science has already laid open to every view the palpable truth, that the mass of mankind has not been born with saddles on their backs, not a favored few booted and spurred, ready to ride them legitimately, by the grace of God. JEFFERSON. 21 AMERICAN PROPHETS PUBLIC LIBRARIES A declaration issued in 1838 by a Workmen's Convention in Boston called for the widespread establishment of public libraries, lectures and public forums to diffuse knowledge among the people on important subjects, thus "to kindle in our hearts and in the hearts of others a love of virtue and the genuine sentiments of Humanity." Concerning this utterance, the Boston Quarterly Review, April, 1838, observed: We would not discourage these dreamers, as the world calls them. The man whose mind never strays beyond the actual, never soars with the ideal, and loses itself in that which is not and perhaps will not be realized, is never able to perform any great and glorious deed." Senator Charles Sumner was able later to say elatedly, in the United States Senate, January 24, 1867: "Down to a recent day public libraries were chiefly collegiate. In Europe they were collegiate or conventional. There were not libraries of the people. Such libraries are now appearing in England, in France. . . . But this movement, like every liberal tendency, is more marked in the United States. Her public libraries are springing up in all the northern states. They are extending like a belt of light across the country." 22 AMERICAN PROPHETS REVOLUTION Ineffable is the union of man and God in every act of the soul. The simplest person who in his integrity worships God, becomes God. As there is no screen or ceiling between our heads and the infinite heavens, so there is no bar or wall in the soul where man ceases and God begins. If a man claims to know and speak of God, and carries you backward to the phraseology of some old mouldered nation in another country, in another world, believe him or not. Is the acorn better than the oak, or the parent than the child? Whence, then, this worship of the past? The centuries are conspirators against the sanctity and authority of the soul. Whoso would be a man, must be a non-conformist. Wherever a man comes, there comes revolution. It is easy in the world to live after the world's opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own. But the great man is he who, in the midst of the crowd, keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude. RALPH WALDO EMERSON 23 AMERICAN PROPHETS WHY RUINED CIVILIZATIONS? The traveler standing amid the ruins of ancient cities and empires, seeing on every side the fallen pillar and the prostrate wall, asks why did these cities fall, why did these empires crumble? And the Ghost of the Past, the wisdom of ages, answers: These temples, these palaces, these cities, the ruins of which you stand upon, were built by tyranny and injustice. The hands that built them were unpaid. The backs that bore the burdens also bore the marks of the lash. They were built by slaves to satisfy the vanity and ambition of thieves and robbers. For these reasons they are dust. Their civilization was a lie. Their laws merely regulated robbery and established theft. They bought and sold the bodies and souls of men, and the mournful wind of desolation, sighing amid their crumbling ruins, is a voice of prophetic warning to those who would repeat the infamous experiment, uttering the great truth, that no nation founded upon slavery, either of body or mind, can stand. Whoever produces anything by weary labor, does not need a revelation from heaven to teach him that he has a right to the thing produced. ROBERT G. INGERSOLL. 24 AMERICAN PROPHETS THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE REPUBLIC "How long do you think the American Republic will endure?" And Lowell answered, "So long as the ideas of its founders continue to be dominant." If the ideas on which you build it are the eternal ideas, it will stand. The first instance occurs to every one. It is the tradition of equality which existed in the practice of the eight northern states, and which existed in the theories of the five southern states. Second, and akin to this, is the instinct for "together." To the students of social order who talk of the breach between capital and labor I have to commend this tradition of the fathers, the tradition of together. Given the ideas of equality, given the gospel idea of together, and, almost of course, you have another of the great ideas of the fathers, which I will name next, the idea of local government - home government, we call it now - the two are one and the same. And with this, all along, first, second, and last, the undercurrent of them all, was the religious character or disposition or training of the fathers. Of nine-tenths of them the American history was the history of emigration for religion's sake. Our special duties are, then, given to us in the words "equality of rights, together, local government." EDWARD EVERETT HALE. 25 AMERICAN PROPHETS THE TWO CLASSES The stratification of society is becoming more definite in our country, and the people are becoming more conscious of it. The industrial conflicts make them realize how their interests diverge from those of the commercial class. As that consciousness increases, it becomes harder for the two classes to meet in the expression of Christian faith and love - in prayer meetings, for instance. When the Christian business man is presented as a model Christian, working people are coming to look with suspicion on these samples of our Christianity. I am not justifying that, but simply stating the fact. They disapprove of the Christianity of the churches, not because it is too good, but because it is not good enough. The working people are now developing the principle and practice of solidarity, which promises to be one of the most potent ethical forces of the future, and which is essentially more Christian than the covetousness and selfishness which we regard as the indispensable basis of commerce. If this is a correct diagnosis of our condition, is it strange that the church is unable to evangelize a class alienated from it by divergent class interests and class morality? WALTER RAUSCHENBUSCH. 26 AMERICAN PROPHETS PROGRESS AND POVERTY This association of poverty with progress is the greatest enigma of our times. It is the central fact from which spring industrial, social and political difficulties that perplex the world, and with which statesmanship and philanthropy and education grapple in vain. From it come the clouds that overhang the future of the most progressive and self-reliant nations. It is the riddle which the Sphinx of Fate puts to our civilization, and which not to answer is to be destroyed. So long as all the increased wealthy which modern progress brings goes but to build up great fortunes, to increase luxury and make sharper the contrast between the House of Have and the House of Want, progress is not real and cannot be permanent. The reaction must come. The tower leans from hits foundations, and every new story but hastens the final catastrophe. To educate men who must be condemned to poverty is but to make them restive; to base on a state of most glaring social inequality political institutions under which men are theoretically equal, is to stand a pyramid on its apex. HENRY GEORGE. 27 AMERICAN PROPHETS FREE DISCUSSION Freedom of opinion, of speech, and of the press is our most valuable privilege, the very soul of republican institution, the safeguard of all other rights. We may learn its value if we reflect that there is nothing which tyrants so much dread. If such men abandon the right of free discussion; if awed by threats, they suppress their convictions; if rules succeed in silencing every voice but that which approves them; if nothing reaches the people but what would lend support to me in power, - farewell to liberty. The form of free government may remain; but the life, the soul, the substance is fled. WILLIAM ELLERY CHANNING. 28 AMERICAN PROPHETS END OF THE WORLD When legislators keep the law, When banks dispense with bolts and locks; When berries - whortle, rasp, and straw, Grow bigger downwards through the box. When he that selleth house or land Shows leak in roof or flaw in right; When haberdashers choose the stand Whose window hath the broadest light. When preachers tell us all they think And party leaders all they mean; When what we pay for, what we drink, From real grape and coffee-bean. When doctors take what they would give; And lawyers give what they would take, When city fathers eat to live, Save when they fast for conscience sake. Till then let Cumming Blaze away, And Miller's saints blow up the globe; But when you seen that blessed day, Then order your ascension robe! OLIVER WENDEL HOLMES. 29 AMERICAN PROPHETS FOLLOW LIBERTY In our times, as in times before, creep on the insidious forces that destroy Liberty by producing inequality. Liberty calls to us again. We must follow her further; we must trust her fully. It is not enough that men should vote, not enough that they be equal before the law. While there is yet time, let us turn to Justice and obey her; let us trust Liberty and follow her. Then will dangers that now threaten disappear; forces that now menace turn to agencies of elevation. Consider the possibilities of a Society that gives the opportunity to all. Let imagination fill out the picture, its colours grow too bright for words to paint. It is the Golden Age, of which poets have sung and seers have told in metaphor; It is the glorious vision which has always haunted man with gleams of fitful splendour; It is the culmination of Christianity - the City of God on earth, with its walls of jasper and its gates of pearl: It is the reign of the Prince of Peace. HENRY GEORGE. 30 AMERICAN PROPHETS COMMON HUMANITY The growth of popular government makes everywhere for better understanding among man, and groups of men who know each other recognize their common humanity and common interests as far outweighing their desire for fight. Along the international borders, or at times the boundaries of races, ill-feeling and violence are most likely to appear. Across these same borders a thousand emissaries for good are also passing, from day to day. The missionary has been a powerful agency for peace. So, likewise, are the commercial traveler, the board of trade, the international commission, the world congress, and all other agencies for bringing men together on the basis of common interest and common trust. The world over, men engaged in similar work, thought in different nations, have more in common than the men of the different groups within a single nation. DAVID STARR JORDAN. 31 AMERICAN PROPHETS THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION The ideal of a fraternal organization of society will remain powerless if it is supported by idealists only; it needs the firm support of a solid class whose economic future is staked on the success of that ideal; and the industrial working class is consciously or unconsciously committed to the struggle for the realization of that principle. It follows that those who desire the victory of that ideal from a religious point of view will have to enter into a working alliance with this class. Just as the Protestant principle of religious liberty and the democratic principle of political liberty rose to victory by an alliance with the middle class which was then rising to power, so the new Christian principle of brotherly association must ally itself with the working class if both are to conquer. Each depends on the other. The idealistic movement alone would be a soul without a body; the economic class movement alone would be a body without a soul. It needs the high elation and faith that come through religion. Nothing else will call forth that self-sacrificing devotion and life-long fidelity which will be needed in so gigantic a struggle as lies before the working class. WALTER RAUSCHENBUSCH. 32 AMERICAN PROPHETS WOULD YOU END WAR? Would you end war? Create great peace- The peace that demands all of a man, His love, his life, his veriest self; Plunge him in the smelting fires of a work that becomes his child; Coerce him to be himself at all hazards, with the toil and the mating that belong to him; Compel him to serve- Give him a hard peace; a peace of discipline and justice. Kindle him with vision, invite him to joy and adventure; Set him at work, not to create things But to create men, Yes, himself. Go search your heart, America- Turn from the machine to man, Build, where there is yet time, a creative peace- For if you reject great peace, As surely as vile living brings disease, So surely shall your selfishness bring war. JAMES OPPENHEIM. 33 AMERICAN PROPHETS NEGRO NATIONAL HYMN lift ev'ry voice and sing, till earth and heaven ring, Ring with harmonies of Liberty! Let our rejoicing rise, high as the list'ning skies, Let is resound loud as the rolling sea. Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us; Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us; Facing the rising sun of our new day begun, Let us march on till victory is won. Stony the road we trod, bitter the chast'ning rod, Felt in the days when hope unborn had died; Yet with a steady beat, have not our weary feet Come to the place for which our fathers sighed? We have come over a way that with tears has been watered; We have come, treading our path thro' the blood of the slaughtered, Out from the gloomy past, till now we stand at last, Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast. God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, Thou who has brought us thus far on the way; Thou who has by Thy might, led us into the light, Keep us forever in the path, we pray. 34 AMERICAN PROPHETS Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee, Lest our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee Shadowed beneath Thy hand, may we forever stand, True to our God, true to our Native Land. JAMES WELDON JOHNSON. MAN WITH THE HOE O Masters, lords and rulers in all lands, Is this the handiwork you give to God, This monstrous thing distorted and soul-quencht? How will you ever straighten up this shape; Touch it again with immortality; Give back the upward looking and the light; Rebuild in it the music and the dream; Make right the immemorial infamies, Perfidious wrongs, immedicable woes? O masters, lords and rulers of the land, How will the Future reckon with this man? How will answer his brute question in that hour When the whirlwinds of rebellion shake all shores? How will it be with kingdoms and with kings- With those who shapt him to the thing he is- When this dumb Terror shall rise to judge the world, After the silence of the centuries? EDWIN MARKHAM 35 AMERICAN PROPHETS OVER ALL THE LANDS Over the prairies and over the mountains and up from the cities that front the sea, Out from the mills and the mines and the forest is surging the call that shall set men free: CHORUS Over all the lands it sounds and over all the waters: "Earth and the fruits of earth for all earth's sons and daughters. No more each for each alone, But undivided, With hearts decided We rise to claim our own!" No more shall one man grow rich from another, or greed of the few thwart the common good; Children are we of the one Mighty Mother, as wide as the earth in our brotherhood: Brothers shall build us the homes that we dwell in and brothers shall meet with each other, with gladness exchanging the fruits of soil. Brothers shall sit in the council of peoples with old hates forgotten and war-flags furled; Brothers shall build us the ships and the railroads that bind us together across the world! ANNA LOUISE STRONG. 36 AMERICAN PROPHETS A DEATHLESS NAME The martyred Christ of the working class, the inspired evangel of the downtrodden masses, the world's supreme revolutionary leader, whose love for the poor and the children of the poor hallowed for all the days of his consecrated life, lighted up and made forever holy the dark tragedy of his death, and gave to the ages his divine inspiration and his deathless name. EUGENE V. DEBS. NOT PROFITS Servetus and Harvey were not spurred on to the discovery of the circulation of the blood by the expectation of profits. One was burned to the stake and the other was mobbed for his pains. The whole history of medicine, with its splendid list of martyrs, is a glorious refutation of the sophistry that competition for profits is important to human progress. The competitive system, which surrounds and harrasses medical advancement, hindered it from the beginning and retards it still. JAMES P. WARBASSE. 37 AMERICAN PROPHETS HOLY LAND This is the earth He walked on; not along That Asian country keeps the sacred stain; Ah, not alone the far Judean plain, Mountain and river! Lo, the sun that shone On Him, shines now on us; when the day is gone The moon of Galilee comes forth again, And lights our path as His; an endless chain Of years and sorrows makes the round world one- The air we breathe, He breathed, - the very air That took the mold and music of His high, And God-like speech. Since then shall mortal dare With base thought front the ever sacred sky- Soil with foul deed the ground whereon He laid, In holy death, His pale immortal head! RICHARD WATSON GILDER. 38 AMERICAN PROPHETS AN ETERNAL STRUGGLE That is the real issue that will continue in this country when these poor tongues of Judge Douglas and myself shall be silent. it is the eternal struggle between these two principles, right and wrong, throughout the world. They are the two principles that have stood face to face from the beginning of time. The one is the common right of humanity, the other the divine right of kings. It is the same principle in whatever shape it develops itself. It is the same spirit that says "you toil and work and earn bread and I'll eat it." ABRAHAM LINCOLN. WOMAN'S RIGHTS I long to hear that you have declared an independency. And in the new code of laws, which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make, I desire you would remember the ladies, and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors. . . . If particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies, we are determined to foment a rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any laws in which we have not voice or representation. ABIGAIL ADAMS TO JOHN ADAMS. 39 AMERICAN PROPHETS THE DAY OF THE PEOPLE We knelt before kinds; we bent before lords; For theirs were the crowns, and theirs were the swords: But the times of the bending and bowing are past, And the way of the people is dawning at last! We cringed before gold; we deified wealth; We laid on its altar the life and the health Of manhood and womanhood, childhood and youth: But its lordship is doomed in this day of the truth. The strength of the State we'll lavish on more Than the making of wealth and making of war; We are learning at last, through the lesson comes late, That the making of man is the task of the State. Great Day of Jehovah, prophets and seers Have sung of thy coming thousands of years; Thank God for each sign that the dark night is past, And the day of the people is dawning at last! WILLIAM PEARSON MERRILL. 40 AMERICAN PROPHETS THE UNEMPLOYED I am neither an economist nor a politician, he replied. That is not within my province. In my writings I have only attempted to depict life as it appears to me. If they disclose that there is something wrong that is as much as can be expected of them. But I want to say that I feel that the opportunity of labor is the inalienable right of every man, and it is the first duty of the government, city and State, to give him that opportunity. The right opportunities to work will prevent public disorders and keep down the undesirable agitations. At this moment the world is filled with the voices of dangerous unrest. But above all this tumult and riot there is a great shining figure. He is one of the people, and the Carpenter's Son moves as a benign power seeking to rally men around a common God instead of a common greed. EDWIN MARKHAM. 41 AMERICAN PROPHETS LINCOLN WALKS AT MIDNIGHT It is portentous, and a thing of state, That here at midnight, in our little town A mourning figure walks, and will not rest, Near the old court-house pacing up and down. Or by his homestead, or in shadowed yards He lingers where his children used to play, Or through the market, on the well-worn stones He stalks until the dawn-stars burn away. A bronzed, lank man! His suit of ancient black, A famous high-top hat and plain worn shawl Make him the quaint figure that men love, The prairie-lawyer, master of us all. He cannot sleep upon his hillside now. He is among us: - as in times before! And we who toss and lie awake for long Breathe deep, and start, to see him pass the door. His head is bowed. He thinks on men and kings. Yea, when the sick world cries, how can he sleep? Too many peasants fight, they know not why, Too many homesteads in black terror weep. The sins of all the war-lords burn his heart. He sees dreadnaughts scouring every main. 42 AMERICAN PROPHETS He carries on his shawl-wrapped shoulders now The bitterness, the folly and the pain. He cannot rest until a spirit-dawn Shall come; - the shining hope of Europe free: The league of sober folk, the Workers' Earth, Bringing long peace to Cornland, Alp and Sea. It breaks his heart that kings must murder still, That all his hours of travail here for men Seem yet in vain. And who will bring white peace That he may sleep upon his hill again? VACHEL LINDSAY. THE CHURCH I cannot say without mental reservations assent to long and complicated creeds and catechisms. If the church would ask simply for assent to the Saviour's statement of the substance of the law: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and thy neighbour as thyself," - that church would I gladly unite with. ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 43 AMERICAN PROPHETS JOHN BROWN SPEAKING John Brown of Ossawatomie, when Kansas sweated blood, John Brown of Harper's Ferry fame before his judges stood Tried and condemned and sentenced to be handed till he was dead. He listened grave and silent while Virginia's governor said: "John Brown, prepare to meet your God!" and then with lifted head John Brown of Ossawatomie and Harper's Ferry spoke. No plea he made for mercy, no reprieve did he invoke, His deep eyes on the judges, he bade them to prepare For the judgment that is waiting upon all the human there: The judgment on our judgments of which all men may beware. John Brown of Ossawatomie was hanged till he was dead: And dead are they who hanged him there, the leaders and the led; The governor, the judges, the guardsmen and the crowd; And dead the cause that seemed to them immortally endowed, But Brown of Ossawatomie still leads the world's uncowed. ROBERT WHITAKER. 44 AMERICAN PROPHETS LAND OF LIBERTY America triumphant! Brave land of pioneers! On mountain peak and prairie Their winding trail appears. The wilderness is planted: The deserts bloom and sing; On coast and plain the cities Their smoky banners fling. America triumphant! New shrine of pilgrim feet! The poor and lost and hunted Before thine altars meet. From sword of czar and sultan, From bans of priest and peer, To thee, o'er trackless waters, They come in hope and fear. America, my country! Triumphant thou shalt be! Thy hills and vales shall echo The shouts of liberty. Thy bards shall sing thy glory, Thy prophets tell thy praise, And all thy sons and daughters Acclaim thy golden days. JOHN HAYNES HOLMES. 45 AMERICAN PROPHETS THE PEOPLE RISING For untold centuries the common people slip through without a sound. They swarm into life and out of it in appalling, untold millions, without the record of a written word. Throughout all the ages, not only in ancient writings but right down to modern times, they have left but meager records, as a mass, and as individuals scarce at all. Here in America, for the first time, we have the great mass of the common people standing out with the rest of the world. All over America the people are rising, and arriving somewhere, not merely in the realm of talent and genius, but in the common walks of life. Indeed, it would be rather dangerous to meet any average man of position and ask him where he came from. The People are no longer clowns, but they are producing a wonderful record of culture. Wealth is spreading to the People. But the thing that is happening is tremendous. Let there be no mistake about that. Never before in all recorded history have you ever had a mass of millions of people climbing to a position of cultural wants, and with the cultural capacity for expressing those wants, and the economic capacity for obtaining them. UNKNOWN PROPHET. 46 AMERICAN PROPHETS THE VOYAGE OF DEMOCRACY Sail, sail thy best, ship of Democracy, Of value is thy freight: 'Tis not the present only; The past is also stored in thee, Thou holdest not the venture of thyself alone, not of the Western continent alone; Earth's resume entire floats on thy keel, O ship, is steadied by thy spars; With thee Time voyages in trust, the antecedent nations sink or swim with thee, With all their ancient struggles, martyrs, heroes, epics, wars, thou bearest the other continents; Theirs, theirs as much as thine, the destination triumphant; Steer then with good strong hand and wary eye, O helmsman, thou carriest great companions! WALT WHITMAN. 47 AMERICAN PROPHETS THE COMING CHURCH The church that is to lead this century will not be a church creeping on all fours, mewling and whining, its face turned down, its eyes turned back. It must be full of the brave, manly spirit of the day, keeping also the good of the times past. There is a terrific energy in this age, for man was never so much developed, so much the master of himself before. Great truths, moral and political, have come to light. They fly quickly. The iron prophet of types published his visions, of weal or woe, to the near and far. This marvelous age has invented steam, and the magnetic telegraph, apt symbols of itself, before which the miracles of fable are an idle tale. It demands, as never before, freedom for itself, usefulness in its institutions, truth in its teachings, and beauty in its deeds. A church that believes only in past inspiration will appeal to old books as the standard of truth and source of light, will be antiquarian in its habits, will call its children by the old names and war on the new age, not understand the man-child born to rule the world. Let us have a church that dares imitate the heroism of Jesus; seek inspiration as he sought it; judge the past as he; act on the present like him; pray as he prayed; work as he wrought; live as he lived. Let our doctrines and our forms fit the soul, as the limbs fit the body, - growing out of it, growing with it. THEODORE PARKER. 48 July 29 is the Day of Prayer Sydney Strong, American Express, Geneva. PRESIDENT HOOVER'S PROPOSALS I am moved to send a good long account of the President's Proposals, but it will be better to wait until it is seen how they care. This I am watching closely. At present, they are in the wash. I am deeply interested, since there was never given me a better chance to test my theory that among armed nations there is not possible ground for permanent agreement and peace. They must first be disarmed. Before touching on the President's Proposals (I was present all through the Session, June 22nd, when they were made, and witnessed the dramatic event with the reactions) let me give some of the Cheering Words from the Advanced Line, which I have recently received. Here's from Lydia G. Wentworth, Boston, one of the world's most tireless workers for world peace: Your letter having the Women's Crusade Against War just received, and you may well believe that I am thrilled and on fire with enthusiasm to spread the word as widely as I can. I shall have copies made of your entire letter and send it to certain papers for publication and also to editors for their edification. I will send copies of it also to the leaders of 5 or 6 women's peace groups in the hope that their members will cooperate. Honestly, if I had my health, I think I should have tried to start some kind of a women's crusade in this country. As it is, I am going to send my congratulations to Martha P. L. Turner, Motzstrasse, 6, Berlin, immediately with assurance that I shall give all the aid that I can". Here's from Ethelwyn Mills, Los Angeles: "I am tremendously grateful to you for the weekly letters. I read them carefully and often to our various peace groups." "Your TOTAL DISARMAMENT NOW is absolutely right, according to my way of thinking, and I am perfectly willing and anxious to have Disarmament by example in our nation and any others who will take the step, instead of waiting for everyone to do it together." Here are some tremendous words from Nietzsche, as quoted in Unity: "The leaders of the people, as it well known, have not the time for reflection on the nature of humanity, or else they would know that they are working in vain when they work for the 'gradual diminution of the military burdens'. On the contrary, when the distress of these burdens is greatest, the sort of God alone can help here will be nearest. The tree of military glory can only be destroyed at one swoop with one stroke of lightning. But, as we know, lightning comes from the cloud and from above". The President's Proposals And, now, a few words about the day, June 22nd, when the message from President Hoover was read by Mr. Gibson to the Conference. That was over a week ago, and five months after the Conference had first met. No proposal until then had been made for disarmament that went straight to the point, except that of Livitnoff's, and his was given two hours consideration. When it was noised around town that Washington had sent a definite proposal, it was like the ringing of a dinner-bell, delegates and reporters scurried to the Glass House. The announcement was for 4,30 p.m. To show the excitement, I noticed on the Bulletin-board, in the Press Room: "Sir John Simon will receive United Kingdom and Dominions Press Representative at the Hotel -2- Beau-Rivage this afternoon, June 22nd, at 3.45 p.m." What was said to this British Family of Eight, I do not know. It was a sign of urgency, and indicates that the family of Britain generally has an understanding before entering into an International Conference. When President Henderson hit the desk with his gavel, the room was packed with probably 1500 people, all alert to see and hear. The chairman stated that Mr. Gibson of the United States had a communication to make. Mr. Gibson came up to the rostrum, and without variation of a word, read the paper in his hand. He makes not attempt at oratory. It produced a profound impression. We were informed that the same message was being given at that hour by the President in America! What impressed the people was, first, the President based disarmament upon the Peace Pact by which the nations of the earth have agreed to use their arms solely for defense; because he used understandable terms, and he went far beyond any nation thus far (except the Soviet) in generously cutting down the armaments. The atmosphere was tense and read for something to happen. If Grandi had been chairman, or the first speaker, there is no knowing what strong current might have set in marking drastic cutting down. The chairman did not help when he referred to the Proposal as greatly appreciated, but it was "not open to immediate discussion." Thereupon he added, "There are six delegate who would like to say something". He forgot this when Grandi, sixth speaker, had received an ovation for his hearty and unqualified approval, and called upon a seventh, Madariaga, who can be depended upon to put on the air-brakes. Then said Chairman Henderson, "I will call first upon Sir John Simon." I have been trying to discover why John Simon has the right to the floor first. I'll find out some day by asking long enough, just as I found out that no one can telephone from Europe to North America except through London. If Simon had made the speech that Grandi did, the Proposal of the President might have been the stroke of lightning, referred to by Nietzsche. Clearly Simon was playin for delay. As he talked you "know more and more about less and less". Boncour was then called upon next - just why France is nearly always given the second place is more than I can tell. He referred to "private conversations" that were in process of coming to a head, again of "security", and that there were other "large scale" proposals. President's Proposal was simple, perhaps too simple". Then Livitnoff came to the postrum, with a "Ladies and Gentlemen" - that alone ought to prove that Russia was worthy to be recognized by the U. S. A.! Russia showed itself a warm supporter of the American Plan. "Heartily welcome the proposal of the U. S. A." Then came Germany - evidently please. Next, Japan showed she had learned by intimacy with the diplomatic West to be wary! Wanted to sleep over it and hear from home! Grandi of Italy "brought the house down". He had talked with Mussolini and spoke with all the eclat of Cicero. He was for the Proposal - swallowed it hook and line. Everybody cheered! The Press stopped smoking and forgot to write. Here again was a chance for lightning to strike. (I wonder if this "lightning" can make its way through a "cloud" of tobacco-smoke?) But the Great Chance passed. Madariaga turned down the lights. Mr. Henderson pronounced the benediction. We all want out knowing that something important had happened - just how important, I'll be able to feel better, next letter. I'm reading the papers, watching, and will soon, I hope, be able to tell what has become of the Hoover Proposals. S. S. (Contributed) -3- Hunches by Dr. Smiles to the Conference Delegates. 1. To make the Commissions run smooth, it is suggested that at the opening, each Session there be (1) A Setting-up exercises, a la Swedish, for 5 minutes. Good for the liver... (2) All take hold of hands, smile for half a minute, join in singing "Auld Lang Syne" - led by the Secretary -General. The President will lead in "Our Father" - each delegate using his own tongue. 2. Every Friday afternoon, starting at 3.00 o'clock, let the members of the Press occupy the ground floor (delegates in the gallery) and have a card game. Drummond to furnish bonds to keep the peace and to observe that there be no stacked cards nor cheating. The Best and Biggest players to draw up a Disarmament Treaty - good for one year - to be handed in as an advice-proposal next day to the Conference. (Experts debarred). 3. Have a "Hard -Times" Social - informal, with Lausanne delegates included - at the International Club, across from the American Church, at high noon, luncheon two francs. Anyone mentioning "reparations" or "disarmament" to be fined a franc, to be given to the Mite-box of Geneva. . . Here's Ten to One that all who attend would pack up their troubles and "study war no more". 4. A Get-To-Gether Social of the Non-speaking American and Russian delegates will be held in the Basement of the League of Nations, in the Lunch-room, next saturday night at 10 o'clock. A barbed-wire fence, made in U.S.A., will be erected between them. A discussion, in signs, will first take place, on "The Value of Speaking after a Peev and Loss of Temper", to be led by the eminent educators, Dr. Woolley and Dr. Lounatcharski. . . Ice-water and ice-cream will be served. . . At the unspeakable hour of mid-might, Senator Swanson in his gracious manner will advance and clip open the fence - while the delegates will fraternize and sing, "Blest be the Tie that Binds". . . .A cable will be sent to President Hoover and Commissar Stalin, to reach them Sunday morning, "United We Stand; Divided We Fall". . . .It is expected as a result of the Get-To-Gether, that the American Proposal for a near one-third cut will move up closer to total disarmament! 5. Define "qualitative" in French and English. Good mental exercise for the delegates. It is half cousin to the Fourth dimension, or in any way related to the Geneva weather, as one eminent authority contends? It is related to the theory of Relativity? It is Why Einstein knows so much about Disarmament? When the sophists of the Middle Ages were debating over, How many devils could dance on the point of a needle, did they divide the question into qualitative and quantitative? In the days of the Gospel, were St. John and St. Simon qualitative or quantitative saints, both or neither? . . . Answers may be prepared and turned in at the beginning of the autumn terms, - after "Summer holidays". 6. What it coming "down to the German level? Is it possible for America, France and Britain to get so low? It might really break their backs - poor old stiffs! Suppose they try it - won't kill them - and if it does, mankind would chant, "Blessed aredead that die in the Lord". . . . A few first-class funerals among the nations might be Providential. The German would gladly furnish a Dirge. 7. An obstacle to Peace: Two big delegations are not on speaking terms! Advised that a sub-committee of the Morals Commission consider, How to Cure the Dumb. How silly! Never be peace among the nations until USA "recognizes" USSR. (Contributed) Swan Songs of Arms, by Dr. Dirge Suggested by the Swan in the Rhone as it flows in front of the Hotel des Bergues where the American delegation stopped. ---------- 1. Old Men make Wars. Young Men pay the price. Why not have a Fathers and Sons banquet - presided over by President Motta - when the Sons will look their Fathers straight in the eyes, and ask, Why do you Make Wars? Why send us? Why not send you? 2. "Disarmament cannot take place by easy stages, but must come in one sweep, or not at all". Einstein. 3. Once, on the Sea of Galilee, there lived a man, named Legion, possessed with demons. And now, on the Sea of Geneva, the nations are striving to case out the Legion of war-demons. The leaders of the nations are powerless, because of fear. The demoniac of Galilee was cured by the Word of a Super-Man. Who is the Super-man of Geneva? Is it Grandi? He spoke well more than once. Is it Simon, or Gibson, or Livitnoff, or Boncour? Perhaps, and Perhaps not! This Man may be like some youthful David, in some small nation - Turkey, South Africa, or Egypt (two great leaders have come out of Egypt). May be Japan's experience has fitted her to lead the nations to peace. At any rate, the world situation centering on Geneva calls for a Man, a Moses, a Christ, who will bring about disarmament. Where is he? Who is he? Let him come forward! It is time to hear the swan-song of Arms! 4. The time is not far off when men will feel a repulsion at the mere suggestion of building monuments to war, as they would today over thought of monuments of honor to plagues and crimes. Why not raise our Te Duems over the Day when diptheria swept away ten thousand children to a premature grave! 5. If it is a mark of Cain to kill one man, what is it to have part in killing hundreds? 6. Making Total Disarmament the "goal" to be reached in easy stages is like the offer of "pie in the sky". Sensible people want heaven here and now, "By easy stages" is the doctrine that pleases the militarists, imperialists, who will be ready all along the road of the future to preach the gospel of "easy stages" - to feed the fires of hell with promises. Beware of them! 7. If 5% of the clergymen or teachers wore 2% Buttons, everywhere - and were proud of them - war would cease! 8. The price od missionaries. The oft-defied and oft-deified League might well appoint a commission to fix the price of missionaries. Some decades ago, a couple of Anglican missionaries were mistreated up back-country of China, and it led to large concessions arong Hong Kong and Canton, Later, the Germans refused to be comforted over the loss of a Lutheran missionary except by large concessions around Shantung. Now, the Japanese are much distressed over the loss of a couple of Buddhist priests. It is not yet clear what concessions will prove to be a salve. China should take out insurance with Equitable or Lloyds covering missionaries, or have the price placed in treaties. Better still, and seriously, every missionary of Christ or Buddha or Mahomet, going into a foreign land, should sign an agreement not to appeal to his government for protection. Otherwise, every land should shuts its doors to missionaries. A "Christian" should hold only the country in which he is living for protection. 9. "Does patriotism impel rules and magnates to the trenches? If those responsible for wars had to fight them, they would quickly adjust every dispute. But the lives of the working class - what do they matter?" - "Wentworth. Sydney Strong Transcribed and reviewed by contributors participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.