The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-05-25
NJ. E.TracySays

is an ungrateful task to throw cold water on
Il the essential dreams and hopes of mankind
but we might just as we'll be hard-headed about
this peace movement, since that is the only way
it ever can be made effective.
The world does not lack for plans, proposals
or programs. The existing agreements, pacts
and agencies would be adequate to insure peace
if properly used.
Until civilized nations indicate an honest in
tent to fulfill pacts already made, carry out pro-
grams already formulated, and be guided by
agencies already established, it will do little
good to suggest substitutes or notifications.
Order depends quite as much on enforcement
OF laws as on enactment.
Almost any group of human beings can make
peace or prosperity on paper. Modern life is
cluttered with perfectly beautiful blue prints and
specifications for accomplishing this or that pur-
pose.
We Go not lack for good advice or moral sup
port. What we do lack is a disposition to follow
through, and we lack it in no field so distinctly
as IN that Of international relations,
liver since the wal, statecraft has been CIV
IL ing birth to one proposition after another
many of which have been adopted. Technically,
the League of Nations is a going concern, with
war outlawed and a world court established to
settle controversies.
Technically, great governments have agreed
to nonaggression. Technically, Japan has vio-
lated solemn commitments. Technically, Para
quay and Bolivia have preached a treaty sane
toned by the whole civilized world.
If nations had kept faith, as faith is under
stood by average people, the world now would be
free from threats Of war, but the world is not.
and everybody knows it.
The magnificent Superstructure of idealism
we have erected since the war rests on a poor
foundation. The will to sustain it is wanting.
All nations stand ready to let others fight for
peace, but few are prepared to make the sac
rif1ce, surrender the sovereignty or give up the
advantages which its honest enforcement in
wolves.
Order in the world calls for exactly the same
thing as order in a nation, a city, or a town. It
never can be brought about by an impassive
attitude, by the expectation that other people
will do more or give up more than we are will
inc to do, or give up.
It never can be brought about except through
agencies able to enforce their authority.
D EALIZING that there is not a crossroads
INcommunity in this world which would be
safe for very long without a constable or a JUS
tee OF the peace, is it not absurd to suppose that
worldwide order could be maintained without
a visible expression Of authority.
We shrink at such visible expression, at the
thought of an international police force or any
thing approximating it, and that is the weak
ness Of our attitude. That is why all the
agreements, pacts and agencies are failing, and
why they will continue to fail.
Until the people Of this world are ready to
trust a general federation, with power to sum-
mon diSputantS, to adjudicate their differences,
and makes its decisions stick, the peace move
ment will represent little more than an aca-
demic prayer.