Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-12-15
STRAWS OF OPTIMISM
BY DR.. Frank Crane

Straws show which way the wind blows.
1t may be as well now and then to make
resume of the reasons why we think the
wind blows toward the Millennium and not
toward chaos.
The redemption Of the world depends up
on it's ability to get together, and upon
whether those forces which make for human
unity and cooperation are tougher and
stronger than the forces that make toward
destruction.
The world is one. The same laws hold
among spirits that hold in matter. And in
the physical world we see hat there is a
continued triumph of life over death.
This means triumph of organization over
dsorganization. For life is merely princi-
pie which organizes and death principle
which 7sintegrates.
Among the things, therefore, that incline
us to believe that the world will eventually
succeed in achieving unity and save itself,
and not go further into dis-lnity and destroy
itself, are these:
1. The attack of Germany and the Central
wers resulted in a remarkable unification
of all the rest of the nations of the world
2. Almost fifty f the worlds nations have
begun functioning in concert as a League
of Nations; feeble at present, but feeble as
an infant is feeble and containing the poten-
tialities of adult strength.
g. The United States, principal one of the
three great peoples that did not join the
eminent, has called Conference of Disarma-
ment which should eventuatt in the same
direction.
4. Transportation is constantly improving,
and transportation is the enemy to national
isolation The flying machine in particular
scorls boundaries. For some time regular
flying service has existed between London
and Paris and between Paris and Prague.
Just the other day air service was inaugural
ed between Paris and Const.ntinople. 1t will
not be long till there is air communication
between western Europe and Moscow.
s. The French army has just decided to
abandon it's blue uniforms and adopt khaki.
This may seem a small thing. But khaki Is
already in use by the British and the Amer
lean soldiers and bids fair to become the
uniform of all armies. From common uni
form to a common idea and organization is
not long step.
g. While there may be no prospect Of a
universal language in the Immediate future.
yet we should not forget one thing, to wit:
tina no new languages are being formed,
and that the tendency Of increasing inter-
national relations lends to unity speech.
Z. International conferences are more and
more in vogue. There are International meet
ings of Workers, Of W.men, of Scientists
and the like. These are preparing the way
for the new fatherland which is Humanity.
8. Socialism is he predominant idea in a
large part of European politics, and what
ever our attitude may be toward it one
thing is reassuring: the spirit of Socialism
is international, and doubt after many
of its fantastic schemes have passed it will
leave a deposit of international sentiment in
the minds of the people
Take it all in all, therefore. in endeavor-
ing to obtain just view of the trend of the
| times there can be little doubt that it is
! toward that oneness of humanity which is
necessary for the continued progress of the
human race.
Copyright, 1921, by Frank Crane)