The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-12-11


 Tuesday evening. Its twelve explanation of the purpose ( outline of it's proposed acti follows:
 In 1883 small group of Water bury citizens associated themselves in a council because of their agree ment in the following beliefs:
 1, That war is the most menacS ing contingency confronting the civilization of this country and of the world;
 2. That war should be prevented, wherever found immanent, since no country-America included-is so isolated as to be immune from a world contagion.
 3. That war is a wholly human affair, initiated by human decision and avoidable by human option and human action.
 {. That practically all American citizens prefer peace and bahor war, but only relatively few among them have any hope of avoiding war or any confidence in constructive &C., tion for permanent peace.
 5. That of these few there are yet enough to form a united body that would have appreciable power in collective action.
 6. That of the rest of our cit- izenry, a very large number will be glad of an opportunity to consider the basis for the beliefs of this minority.
 z. That among these interested but skeptical citizens there are three general classes: (a) the hope less, who feel that the making of war is in the hands of c few pow erful and privileged interests, inva- riably assisted by the press, and that democracy stands helpless be- fore this combination; (b) the fear ful-who honestly disclaim any thoughts of aggression but so fear the aggression of others that they support the race for military pre- paredness; (c) the pessimistic-who see in the economic policies of the modern world an irrepressible con- flict in international relations which can only result in war.
 8. That the answer to these groups is briefly, as follows:
 A. To the Hopeless, who fear secret interests; that organ, of in- vestigation and media of publicity exist and should be supported. Pub- licity is the sufficient cure for intrigue.
 B. To the Fearful, who support Preparedness" That military pre- paredness is the repeatedly proven creator of war consciousness, war planning, and war making. It sets the stage for the conspirator or the bully to play his war drama. It is like loading a gun for the idiot or the gangster to fire. The competition in armament is the race for war. It causes war and does not prevent it.
 c. To the Pessimists, who see war inevitable for economic req Sons-That the League of Nations can be, with the membership of the United States, an adequate tribunal of peaceful adjustment of these and other international issues. Judicial process may, can, and must replace force, interna- tionally, as it has nationally.
 q. That there will still remain in our citizenry 8 very large num- Der who will construct our peace projects. Active obstruction will come from the professional patriots who, from selfish interest or from stupidity led by the Self-interest of others, make themselves the bigoted apostles of an old and discredited order. Passive destruction will come from the indifferent and thoughtless, who substitute for in- dependent thinking the reactions of mass mind, influenced by slogans, parades, flag-waving, and the covert propaganda of self-seekerS, always played up by the press.
 10. That the league of nations should be supported and America should join it as soon as possible. We do not believe the league in- fallible. We recognize its made quacy in notable past instances. We do, however, insist upon three | points not popularly appreciated, and consistently soft-pedaled by the | press:
 One:-The league has done and is continuously doing a great and | invaluable work in adjustment of | many international problems.
 Two:-The league could and | would have accomplished vastly | more, particularly where it has failed, if America had been in it.
 Three:-If there are injustices