The Washington times., 1932-02-20
Moral Luxury

GILBERT sELDEs I wonder whether the rest of the
world has it's feet so firmly planted in candor ana
honesty that can afford the moral luxury OF cang
Japan hypocrite. For, in addition to sending an
ultimatum, Japan has received one 1t was ca4eu
note from the League of Nations. sympathetlc ac-
count saws that without directly asking Japan 10 cease
hosties at Shanghai and elsewhere it aimed to gam
this end by appealing to Japanese chlvalry Az 'te
same time firmer tone is injected oy re1erence ~
Japan's obligations under article 10 OF the League
Covenant
Covenant Without Ark
Oddly enough it is the firm note which suggests lack
of frankness 1t is the word covenant which suddenly
strikes being false and sentimental The first MS
torica covenant of significance made by the Preso
terians of Scotland to safeguard their religion and their
national independence in $685. It's real enemy was the
Spanish Armada. The covenant reappeared IN the next
century again religious organization defending Scot
land against the Anglican Rite Like the covenant en-
tered into by the Children of Israeli the basis was always
a religious one.
Only Facade
And the simple fact is that there religious basis
for the League of Nations and the name of the covenant
was false front. The religion of the brotherhood of
man. the religion of international love- may have inspired
few Individuals but if the League was forced on the
cynical and grasping statesmen of Europe, they were
quite willing to the emotional trick, calling by the
name of covenant what only business agreement
and has turned out, not gentlemens agree
ment at that
There is not much moral relief for Japan in all this
Japan signed the covenant and has permanent place
the Council of the League Japan is pledged by article
10 ito respect and the territorial integrity and
existing political independence of China It is political
obligation but the moral force and the religious feeling
of true covenant are missing The total result is that
goes and lacks only the frank brutality of earlier
wars.
Russian Bouses
It is becoming and difficult for us to come
to terms with Russia Only few days ago the dictators
of style in America announced that should wear
plated and creaseess trousers and button twobutton
coats only by the top button. Now the Russians
nouncng display of clothes much democratic
basis Workmen peasants, soldiers artists and per-
haps commissars will send in designs. The judges
going to consider suitabity-hat s the adaptation of
the design to the need of the wearernsead of STYLE
They find American clothes frivolous and indifferent
practical utility. Their clothes to be sanitary
and comfortable is all to be highly scientific and
rational.
Irrational Humanity
- 1t isat this point that part company with Russia
because they immoral because they attack our
they keep assuming that human beings are rational
modern psychology encourages this view. Animals NAV
more reasonable than the rational man.
Perhaps the Russians are right though The luxuries
OF life show particular intelligence on our part we
are much rational when we have neither time nor
money to enjoy ourselves If the Sovies on one side and
bad management the other keep the world poor
we may get our irrational and wholly unscentfic
passion for Styles pretty Clothes delicate foods and
frivolous entertainment for which most of us are now
cheerfullV