New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-08
WISHFUL WAITING-A DIAGNOSIS
How Psychiatrt npre Emotional ncoordmaon Sometimes
Called intellectual American Psychoss Described

action would be equivalent 10 cohleS'"o
sense Of inadequacy. The repeated ialIures
to solve the practical issues, OF lie become
rapidly more depressing mentally in their
effects, and in order TO MAINTAIN even inc
semblance OF balance or stability the eyes
are closed to the real situation, while an
imaginary world is created for the purpose
of compromising for the numberless disap-
pointments and repressions.
Wishful waiting and lack OF deelsio"
are often prominent symptoms among a Ger,
tain type Of intelectuals. The uncoordinated
emotional reactions are carefully concealed
and the superficial observer is apt TO be de-
ceived in Judging the temperamental qualities
of those persons who, while symbolizing thelr
own defects, try to divert attention from
these by harping continually upon the SUI
perfcial judgments" and "hasty generaliza-
lions" Of other people; or assume decldeo
superioritv to the rest Of mankind by calling
the attention of the public in very puolic
yav 10 the need for the performance OF duty
as opposed to the vindicaton OF rights Inc
tension induced under the artificial condi-
tions produced by restraining emouonal I'M
pulses while striving to keep up an appear
ance of intellectual activity and balance
quickly reduces the capacity for approaching
moral values We have an excellent Illus
tration of the subsequent emotional as wen
az intellectual reductions associated Win
mental habits Of this character IN the class
of people who declare they see no reason at
present for going TO war with Germany Inc
original impressions made by the SINKING Oh
the Lusitania or invasion OF Belgium nave
gradually faded away until state OF anee-
tive indifference has been reached. Ineorles
have greater values now than conditions, ana
therefore the affirmation may be made with
an impressive air of judicial cslmness that
"the issues at stake in Europe do not con-
Germ u.s." as they are European and not
American. This form of intellectual pre-
cocity recognizes geographic boundaries Tor
moral questionsl
The Pose of Impartiality
The "intellectual detachment" as the Bran
mans call it. but "the emotional incoordina-
ton or characterization" as psycho-analysis
proves il TO be, is not always complete. Al
inopportune times the gagging process is re-
Taxed. but the moment when this occurs is
not selected voluntarily, but only when some
impulse breaks through the artificial system
OF defences When we recognize the forces
at work it is not difficult to explain the par
adox of the distinguished humanitarian, lead
ing advocate Of pacifsm or of universal
brotherhood, not being successful in introduc-
ing high ideals for conduct into daily lie,
or failing to be a sympathetic husband, com
panonable father, or 10 be even moderately
successful in directing the activities of mem
bers Of his own family or Of intimate friends.
Tho acute strain Of constantly maintaining
the pose Of impartialty and of playing the
role required in appearing to exert every
ounce of superfuous energy 80 calm heated
VIVA 1Gl I'm
Of facile judgments upon international af-
fairs" is often so great that wife and children
NAV suffer In private in order to give the
great benefactor time to accumulate sufficient
energy TO maintain an emotional balance
when he appears in public The person who,
without a struggle, is willing to waive all
his rights at the time of great crisis not
only is a coward but is generally stubborn,
excessively disputatious and uncompromising
in settling affairs in times of peace, and
particularly selfish in dealing with intimate
friends who can be easily bulied. Wishful
waiting deprives us of the power TO strike an
enemy hard and is also responsible for our
inability to come TO a decision, to make
friends or to preserve the peace at home, and
transforms us into the cubists of morality.
Wishful Waiting Now Chronic
The habit of wishful waiting has reached
the chronic stage. We have failed TO face
life and have tried TO glorify our indecision
and incompetency behind veil of euphe-
mistic phrases and catchwords. We avoid
facts and specific problems by discussing only
broad general questions which awaken no I'M
pleasant personal memories.
In spite of the contradictory evidence fur
nshed by our dreams history will repeat it.
self in this country. The vision of splendid
isolation created for us by wshful thinkers
will disappear. We should prepare to defend
our heritage, not handed on to US by the
critics of Washington nor the pacifsts who
implored Lincoln mot to drag the country
into war; but by the men who were at Val
ley Forge and Gettysburg. We shall have a
hard struggle to resist the insidious and
varied temptations of wishful thinking. Have
we, the self-appointed guardians of democ-
racy, the courage and intelligence to face the
present and adjust life to meet not theories
but conditions? STEWART PATTON.
Princeton, ~ j., March 5, 1917.
PORK AND PACIFISM