Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-09-17
Changing Attitude Toward War

Changing Attitude Toward War
If the press of America, followed by
the press of other civilized nations,
could halt the appalling possibilities
of the present awful conflict in Eu-
rope it would forever settle its claim
as the greatest factor in world pro-
gress. The press of America has seen
the road to yesterday emblazoned in
a white light. And in that vision the
attitude toward war changes. No
longer eulogy of war ardor and deeds
of daring, or praise for the glory of
brute power, or admiration of the
most intelligent for anything that
comes out of war.
The startling vision of war-weak-
ened European civilization swept by
the hordes of interior Asia, has sob
ering effect America appeals to those
who manipulate the world tragedy
nineteen hundred years after Christ,
10 stay their hands. The burden Of
war falls upon the hearts of those
who wave the last farewells to depart
ing sons and husbands, and the re-
sponsive hearts of the men of the press
seek an early remedy.
A collection of remarkable cartoons
from the American press is published
and sent out in a bulletin by the
American Association for International
Cancellation. The introduction by
Frank H Giddings follows:
The moral reaction of the people of
the United States to the most appall-
ing event in human history has been
both too profound and too subtle for
portrayal in words. Reports and let
tiers may tell something of its extent,
but no written document will convey
It's quality to future generations.
Only the art that is older than writing
and closer to the elemental emotions
has been able in part to express it.
The cartoonists have caught its spirit.
Collectively their work is document
of startling fidelity and of compelling
power.
When the storm is spent and the
desolation is complete; when the flow
er of the manhood of Europe has
and pestilence have taken their 1.-THE
Of childhood and age. the exhausted
and the beggared that live on will one
day care TO know what we, who saw
the carnage from a PARKWAY safety
and sanity. thought of it. This little
book viii tell them much that they
will not find in more pretentious
works.
xrT511 he Il
opinions, but the spontaneous feelings,
he deepest moral convictions of peo-
pie. They viii look in vain Cor praise
of glory or of power. for admiration of
anything that enters into or comes
out of war. They will not be able to
detect even the anguish of defeat or
the exultation of victory. They will
read only that our hearts and minds
responded to the deepest notes of the
scale of tragedy-in horror, amaze
lnent, stupefaction.
What else We're possible?
mo death can further desolate
The heart that knows its god was dust
The world believed itself civilized, |
Christiani 1t was proud and strong
and seif-respecting. 1t rejoieed in the |
triumphs of science, in the mastery OF
nature. in the ameiioration of the hui
man lot And then, in an hour when
mankind was happier than it ever had
been before. disillusion came The in
ADDITIONS had failed Covenants, laws, |
moralities. decencies were forgotten. |
Humanity faced about, to rush insen-
safe backwards over "the road to yes
terday." to barbarism, to savagery. /
The rest we know
Well, The task must be taken up |
anew. Once more the race must climb |
the stony road of toll and privation
Again 1t must try to chain the savage |
within itself viii it this time sue
reed?
One thing we may hope and believe |
A part of the energy that has hitherto I
been spent In producing material graf
iications. often beyond all bounds of |
reason may now be diverted by the |
stricken and sobered nations into othe, I
channels With ripened wisdom, and a I
sterDer resolve, the world may set
about the work Of Improving the re
lations Of man TO man, of nation to IA
ton II may value enlightenment now |
above riches. 1t may care, as it has |
not cared hitherto. for those things |
that are more than meat, more than I
raiment, more even than pride and |
power.
If these things happen, and not |
otherwise, dfsarn,e nent may cone. !
and peace