Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-06-12
Decisions About World Peace

face it bravely and to discourage effective eff
forts to ferment it. This widespread objection
to war, of which we hear so much, does not
go very deep into peoples hearts, certainly
does not stir them as religious hatred
familiar customs can stir them, and it is a COM
pete delusion to regard it as in itself an opera.
tive cause preventing war;
One real test of pacifist sincerity is to be
found in the pose toward national independence
To any one who will sit down for five minutes
and face the facts squarely it must be evident
that the organization of world peace so that
wars will be impossible and disarmament
cure involves some sort of Federal authority
in the worlds affairs. At some point there
must be the certainty of a decision upon all
disputes of races and peoples and nations that
would otherwise necessitate war. And this au-
thority must clearly have the power to enforce
its decisions.
Whatever navies and armies survive other
than police forces for local and definite ends,
must be under the control of this central au-
thority 1t may be a committee of national
representatives or what you will, but central
authority there must be. Pax Mundi. like the
Pax Romano or the Pax Britannica, must be
the only sovereign power within its realm
If you are not prepared to see your own
country and your own flag so far subordnated
to collective control, whatever protestations of
peaceful intentions you make either made
unlntelligently or else IN bad faith. Your COun.
try cannot be both Independent and restricted.
Either you are for cosmopolists or you are
for war.
1t is interesting to note how many excellent
people boggle at this obvious alternative. They
declare they are for. peace, first, last and all
the time; they belong to this that assoca
ton for universal arbitration or for propaganda
on behalf of the League of Nations; they advo
cate disarmament and all the while they seek
the plain logical consequence of these preten-
sions which are, in one word, dsloyalty to
their own government.
The idea of loyalty is unquestioning obed
ence complete devotion; "our country, right or
wrong" We abandon easy and natural poses
and stiffen up to a mechanical salute at the
first note OF the national anthem. BY that we
indicate that before all other things and even
to the sacrifice of our lives, we are prepared
to serve, support and sustain the free and sep.
arate existence, alleged collective prosperity
natural destiny necessary expansion, honor
and glory OF our own sovereign government
its empire and its subjects, against right, rea
son, justice, the knavish tricks of foreigners
land practically that is all foreigners are sup
posed to do the stars in their courses or the
welfare of mankind.
We put our nationality first in our hearts
and souls and lives. We regard our country
as something primary and eternal. We must
never think of it subordinated nor imagine
that it's separation means an end. 1t is to go
on for all time just as it is, only more so. The
rest of the world may go to the DEVIL If
patriotism is not all that, then what is patr
otsm?
Now maintain that in this matter you can
not run with the hare and hunt with the
hounds. You cannot be an advocate of