The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-10-08
Peace-And Population
From The New York Telegram

From The New YORK Telegram
While President Hoover and Premier Macdonald
have their heads together for discussion Of disarma-
ment and world peace, they doubtless are thinking
and talking in terms of political government.
Representing two of the most powerful govern
ments in the world, their efforts to establish or pre-
serve peace will have international interest. and their
conclusions will be influenced not only by their inter-
pretation of public and political sentiment IN their
own countries but also by what other great powers
may be expected to support in the way OF lnterna-
tional effort.
But world peace isn't entirely a matter OF po1tlcal
concord. No way has yet been found to subordinate
the laws of nature to those of man, and at the
moment when the world is watching Hoover and
MACDONALD and praying for peace there comes from
the uress a most significant book which deals with
nonpolitical influences all over the world that are
working for war.
We refer to Warren S. Thompson'S Danger Spots
IN World Population" which surveys the world as an
economic whole and points out where political govern
ment is blocking the economic organization Oh the
world.
Existing national boundaries are arbitrary, OF
course. thew were fixed by force in wars Of the past.
distribution of the earth's surface hasn't been gov
erned by natural necessity. What portion Of it any
nolitical government controls wasn't determined by
that nations needs.
Or THOMPSON, director of The Scripps Founda-
zion for Formulation Research, endowed in 1922 for
$500 600 by the late E. w. Scripps, founder OF The
Scripps-Howard newspapers, points out, for hlustra-
tion. the growth of population in Japan and Italy 10
the point where 1t overaows national boundaries and
eventually either must starve or fight for more room.
AT the same time Great Britain, France and Hol-
land hold out Of use vast areas IN colonial possessions
that they can't colonize themselves and will not let
other nations colonize.
Australia, with its determination to remain a
white mans country, has vast areas Of productive
land in the tropics where the white man can't work
or live except as an exploiter Of colored labor and yet
won't permit colonization by Japanese, who are OF
Malay origin and can live in the tropics mucn oe"ef
than in northern Asia
France and Great Britain control Syria ana 1raq
and can't colonize those countries. whereas they would
suit the overfowing population Of Italy perfectly.
Dr. THOMPSON takes a long range view OF world
population and its pressure on subsistence TO be sure
There is no immediate danger Of war. and for the
time being makeshift arrangements between political
governments may patch up world peace.
But he invites attention to the danger a few
generations in the future. when overgrown countries
viii have a population that will have to have more
room. more food. more raw material and altogether
s fairer chance to live.
ais proposed solution Of the problem is q fair.
and peaceful arrangement whereby a more equitable
distribution Of land may be made, and, considering
the selnshness Of human nature and the pride Of ma
tons, he evidently isn't very hopeful Of any such
solution.
Nevertheless, there is much in his argument for
the worlds statesmen to chew on while they are try
ins to adjust world relations BY political conferences.