New Britain herald., 1917-06-02
Henry Cens :
 Weekly Lefter

X Weekly Leffer
 Especial to the Herald.)
 New York, June 3.-He would iu- deed be . hopeless pessimist who al- lowed the batteraeas and sfr1fe of this war to blind his perceptions to the better potentiafitaes which will as- sort themselves after the struggle. When the tragedy is ended and peace once more established. this world will b. far better place in which to live than ever before: albeit there will still remain many problems requiring so- lution. Or the ultimate result of the war, there can be no question; the Allies will win. It could not be other wise, simply because the whole civi- lized world Is opposed to that sort of
 nilitarism which If perpetuated would inevitably again throw tho whole world into chaos and anarchy. Such beliefs are not based alone on the mere abstract faith In the ultl- mate good; they are based upon solid facts common to every day observa- ton. AS every one knows to his. sor- row. this war infinitely surpa8ses all others in scope, venom and cruelty: and yet In sone respects 1t is the most nnselhsh contest in all history. The unateriAl. ends which Britain, France, the United Btntes, Russia, Italy and other nations arc contend1ng for Afo triqing factors in comparison with the great democratic ideals which ir-
 1exibily unite ell the Allies in their determination to sacrlfice everything for victory. Back of all tho numer- ous and complex questions about ter ritory. trade, tradition. race. etc.. which individual states may have in view lies the common denpminator of political and social liberty for which millions Of men have volunteered to light and die. In tho last analysis the great struggle. as often asserted. is between democracy and Auoocracy. the outcome of which is already forsgone conclusion, except to those obsessed and blinded by contrary ideals.
 It is not we'll. however. to confine our vision to the immediate issues at stake Some other benefits will fol- low after the Allied victory. The world Is likely to think more soberly and sanely than 1t has done for several generations. Much of the radicalism. extravagance, waste and political nonsense which have been falsely paraded as progress, and which have permeated the life Of every country. will be swept away and followed by new and saner efforts. Already economy and efficiency have received an immense stimulus. Tho United States, Great Britain, France and other countries are each making strenuous efforts to secure the best | 4A @yaA, ,v0<x,S al NNc [ol sAfisfActofy to capital and. labor. Science and research are doing their utmost to discover better ways and new resources with distinct success.
 Manufacturers are seeking CO., ordination and cooperation with . view of stopping wasteful effort and securing more economical production and distribution. This movement Is worldwide, and is ultimately destined to show remarkable advance, pafticu- lArly when the war is over. Accom- panying this movement are symptoms of . clearer understanding between capital and labor. Already both have foNnd . comon basis lin working to- gether for their country; patriotism has done much to unite them; misun- derstandings have been softened; the manufacturer better understands labor's point of view. and labor also has a better appreciation of the difn- cu1ties and risks of the employer. A better class of men are likely to be called into public life, as is result of all great crisis. Tn our own case, the need of this is particularly strong: the country having suffered much from the politicians whose chief aims were to hold their jobs by fostering prejudice and class interest rather than devoting themselves to public welfare and real statesmanship. This war will undoubtedly force a number of men out of private life into public notice, and not few will obey the coming call to serve the country in time of peace As well as war. Inci- dentally, therefore, we may hope for better politics than for the last decade at least. For years we have been sur feited with all classes of isns and vagaries, which at times seTiouly threatened the stability of our entire economic and social fabric. Not . few able thinkers feared that tho tide of radicalism was irresistably sweeping us on to the brink of violent social and political revolution. Demo cracy seemed adrift on the sea Of doubt. Now that the war has reached our own shores. 1t has sobered men as nothing else could have done. Thought has been running deep and strong. Shallow theories are being brushed aside by the sterner and more pressing perils of war: new set of problems and necessities have in- truded themselves upon us, and the world as we see it has already under gone revolutionary changes. As yet these have not worked out their legi- timate ends, and 1t will require years
 before the new problems approach