The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1922-08-08
mo MORE WAR"

mo MORE WAR"
The "Womens Peace Union Of the
Western Hemisphere" one of the So
cieties which organized todays anti
war demonstrations, is composed of
members who have agreed never to
aid in or sanction war, offensive or
defensive, International or civil, in
any way, whether by making or
handling munitions, subscribing to
war loans, using their labor for the
purpose of setting others free from
war, service, or helping by money or
work any relief organization which
supports or condones war" People
who acted on this program during
the recent war went to jail, says an
eastern exchange, and those who
venture to act on it in any future war
will probably go to jail. And doubt
less the sentiment will outrage the
feelings of many good citizens who
believe in law, order, and, on occa-
sion, war. What the Women's Peace
union is proposing would appear to a
judge to be treason.
But. the objection to this sort of
treason" in the long run, is not that
It will embarrass the government in
time OF war, but that it will fail to
prevent war. The odds are all against
pacifists once war gets started. The
error of the peace union is one Of
tactics What it proposes is a kind Of
counsel of despair. It's pledge is DOOM
ed to be the password OF small and
futile minority. What it should do is
to endeavor to work up a majority
sentiment, not only against war in
the abstract, but against the particu-
lar, wars that from time to time loom
above the horizon. If they believe in
democracy they must plan to control
the government, not to defy it. In this
country and in this generation this
should not be impossible. The Am
erican people do not want any more
war. They have nothing to gain and
everything to lose by war. The time
is ripe for persuasion and states
manship, not for heroics..
Any individual has the moral right
to refuse to take part in a war if he
thinks that war, or all war, wrong.
But an effective fight against war
must begin in time Of peace and must
be in cooperation with public opinion
and with government, not in oppo-
sition to it.
"a "a "a
The Portland business man who is
visiting Moscow this week, and who
pointed out that the way to build a
city here is to do everything possible
toward building up the University of
Idaho, knows enough about colleges
and college towns to know whereof
he speaks. The University of Idaho
is going to grow and Moscow is going
to gro walso. In addition to support
ing the university, however, Moscow
business men are going to work to-
ward the upbuilding and development
of the surrounding farming district,
and also for the development of such
industries as are located in the town.
Everything which will aid in advanc-
ing the community should have the
support of the business interests.
"a "a IA
"Corpses are not healthy neigh
bors," says A. L. Gardiner, British
journalist, in explaining why the col
lapse of Germany is of such vital i'm
portance to England. England, he
reminds us, lives on world trade, and
when world trade dries up England
dries up. But world trade has al
ready dried up to a great extent.
Incidentally, England is in a great
strait world trade now is dimin-
ished SO per cent over 1914 That
spells ruin for England. The recov-
cry of Germany is necessary for the
recovery of everybody Economic
ruin can not be localized. Corpses
are not healthy neighbors."
"a - "a
One of the nice things about tour
ing this summer is the amount of de-
touring you get thrown in. Some
time, perhaps, the highways will be
completed, or near enough completed
SO that fairly good trip can be
taken without doubling the mileage
in detours.
"a "a "a