Imperial Valley press., 1935-11-29
IGNORANCE TNCITES
VIOLENCE, REVOLT

Until more nations of the world adopt
one of the basic principles upon which
American government is founded, there
will be mob violence and revolution
lgnorance-not necessarily academic ig-
norance nor lack of common sense-but
ignorance of what is going on in govern
ment, is among the real causes of revo-
luton. Americans, through free press
and free speech, know how their govern
ment is conducted and what is going on
in the world at large. They know better
than the people of any other land with
the possible exception of England) the
personal traits, characteristics and am
bitions of the men who conduct their
public affairs.
Scores have been moved down by bull
lets in South Americas most recent revo-
luton. President Getulio Vargas of
Brazil blames Communists for the abor-
tive attempt to remake the Brazilian gov
ernment The doctrines of Commun-
ism, based upon false principles, thrive
best among the ignorant. CommuniStic
leaders, recognizing this, attempt first to
spread their propaganda among the il
literate, winning most of their recruits
from those who do not understand even
the ideas of Communism.
There are those whose ignorance, in
the most common sense of the word,
make them ready to accept the suave
pronouncements of any person who can
convince them that he knows what he
is talking about. In the majority, how
ever, probably will be found those who
are we'll equipped with an ordinary store
of knowledge and sense, but who are in
darkest ignorance about the affairs of
government.
Germany gives a startling demonstra-
ton. Americans through their newspa-
pers know more about what is going on
in Germany than do the people Of that
country German officials cannot un-
derstand the freedom of the American
press. They have demonstrated as much
MANY times by excluding American cor
respondents whose articles have been OBJ
jectionable to Hitler officialdom. In
Germany, an editor cannot hold his pos
ition without license from the govern
ment Any violation of what the govern
ment considers his duty to the officials,
separates the editor from his job. He
cannot get another.
Italy, against the world in conquest
of Ethiopia. has never given her people
the right of free press or free speech.
What the government wants the newspa-
pers to say, they say. No speaker could
address the public in Italy, either now or
in the past, if he advocated a program
against the wishes of Benito Musoslini.
Only England, of all the foremost ma
tons of the world, enjoys the right of
free press to an extent even approaching
that of the United States, and even
there magazine or newspaper may be
barred if it appears to ridicule any mem
Der of the royal household. Yet England,
with a press and rights of speech more
free than that of any other great nation
except the United States, has one OF the
most successful governments.
Ignorance is the friend of selfish am
bition for power 1t is the foe of good
government for the greatest number of
people. In such countries, ruler, by
keeping his people in ignorance of what
is going on, and by causing distortion OF
reports from other parts of the world,
may maintain his power for long time
but he is not carrying out the duty OF
anv man who controls the destiny of
others. He is not a good ruler, because
he is not ruling for the good Of his peo-
pie.
When provisions for free speech and
free press were written into the constl-
tuition of the United States, the people
of America were given one of their great
est heritages. 1t is one they should
foster, protect and USE