The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-01-03
THE NEXT WAR

NTHEN we wonder what the new year will
W bring forth we think in terms Of domes-
tic problems. Will NRA work, will codes and
public works provide more EMPLOYMENT will
higher wages keep pace with the cost of living,
will banks be sound, will farmers be better off,
will we be able to meet the mortgage will
happy days be here again for us and our
family and neighbors and friends? These are
the questions uppermost in all our minds be-
cause they are closest home
But there is more important question i'm
portant because it involves all Of the other
questions directly or indirectly. Most of us
are not worrying about this all-important
question simply because it seems so far away
and so improbable. That is the question of
war
Another World war in 1884 is possible even
probable. unless there is a quick and unex-
pected change in international forces. This is
fact recognized by virtually all the experts
in foreign affairs, despite the lack of alarm
on the part of the general public intent on
personal and domestic problems.
Japan and Russia definitely are preparing
for in the far east. Europe is preparing
for a centering in Franco-German con-
fict. 1t is improbable that either of those
wars could be localized. Regarding Fascist
Germany as a mutual menace Russia and
France have established something resembling
an entente which includes Poland and Frances
other military allies. Japan and Germany,
in turn, are reported trying to get together
against Russia. Great Britain is reported
trading for advantage between the two groups,
wishing to avoid a European conflict, but
tacitly supporting Japan against Russia in the
far east. Italy likewise is reported playing one
group against the other in the hope of getting
something for herself.
Under these pre-war conditions all of the
familiar signs of approaching military conflict
are coming into the open. These include:
The breakdown of international economic
and financial cooperation following collapse
OF the London economic conference.
Final failure of ten years of disarmament
effort at the Geneva conference, followed by
increased military budgets and naval building
in all major countries.
Increased international espionage and mill
tary SPY scandals in Great Britain, France and
elsewhere.
President Roosevelt in his Wilson dinner
speech last week spoke of the danger Of war.
Many foreign officials have spoken with even
more alarm of the approaching conflict.
No one can predict the date of war. The
immediate explosion is almost always acct
dental and unexpected. 1t might come in
day, a week, a month, year, Or more. But
that the dynamite now is piled high and wait
ing for a slight jolt to touch off the explosion
is a terrifying fact which unfortunately can
not be disproved.
If and when that war comes it will hit all
of us whether America is dragged in or not.
1t will change in one way or another all OF our
present problems unemployment, farm sur
plus. public works, debts, taxes, credit, cur
rency: and it will create new problems.
It will cause us to suffer-for we have
learned that no nation can live unto itself
alone. In war there is no victor. Even if we
escape actual military combat, we shall pay
along with the rest of this interdependent
world for such war. But we shall pay more
and suffer more if we go in than if we stay
out of the fighting
Therefore the supreme duty of the United
States government in 1884 is to work for world
peace. If our government fails in the new
wear as it failed despite sincere efforts in the
old wear to check the World war forces then
its grave responsibility is to keep the United
States out of the threatened war.