The Detroit times., 1917-03-27
InternatiOnalism
and Commerce
~ Or. FRANK CRANE
copyright 1916. by Frank Crane)

Inc ohe prime curse OF the world is
militant nationalism.
When each nation pursues the policy
of keeping up its own army and navy,
adjusting its own rights, and maintain
ing it's own honor" the world is pre-
ciSely In the condition of western min
ing camp where every man carries his
own gun.
sooner or later comes disaster.
The root cause of the present world
crisis is the presence in each nation of
an armed force. and the sentiments of
national vanity that gather around such
a center.
The only cure of the present world
disease will be an international armed
force which will compel the national
armed forces to disband, just as the min
ing camp becomes civilized town only
when court of law is established and
gentlemen are forbidden to carry weap-
ons.
Over and over again must this plain
common sense be reiterated, because it is
the only possible way out, whether we
adept it now or wait until we kill few
million more folks.
AS you cannot have national peace UNI
I'll sectional pride is submerged in patri-
otism, SO you cannot have world peace
until patriotism gives place to the larger.
deeper, more ethical and rational senti-
ment Of humanity.
Commerce is an international fabric.
1t pertains to humanity, not to Ameri-
cans, Germans or English.
When the Central Power started this
war they threw a monkey-wrench into
the delicate machinery of world BUSH
ness.
You cannot withdraw millions of men
from constructive labor and set them to
destroying without upsetting the entire
world.
The war is the cause of the high cost
Of living Average prices in America are
% per cent higher than they were
year ago, 44 per cent higher than two
years ago, and 81 per cent higher than
three years ago.
According to w. W. Erwin & Co.'S mar
ket letter the English Board Of Trade
Gazette estimates that, on Jan. l. 1917,
food prices were 81 per cent above those
of July, 1914. During the same period
food prices in Norway advanced 80 per
cent. Retail prices in Berlin advanced
l101s per cent from July, 1914, to No
vember, 1916. In Vienna they rose
about 1T per cent during the same Pc
riod.
II is because we haven't sense enough
TO establish world government that there
are bread riots in New York.
1t is the same lack of sense that IS
crucifying the railroads. Golfers Week
" calls the railroad "the sick man OF the
American business family Why! Inc
reason is simple. The cost OF materials
and of operation is going right up on
account of the war waste, ana there 10
nothing TO stop it, while the government
regulation prevents the roads from m
creasing their rates. You've oniy got
to 90 FAR enough in that line TO come
at last to bankruptcy or government OWL
ership.
II the business men Of the world had
any vision they would all work for the
League TO Enforce Peace. If statesmen
and publicists could see beyond ther
noses they would cease endeavonng 70
stir up national pride and turn their Ell
fort toward organizing this anarcmc;
world so that the national bad men,
such as the German army or the Eng
isb navy. should be compelled TO give
mo their guns to the world police.
Europe certainly has it's bellyful OF
patriotism. and look at it! Let US cui'i'
..ato bupnapitWi