Evening star., 1936-03-21
Horrors of War Should
Mold Minds for Peace

At q time when the clouds of war
hover menacingly above certain promi-
nent nations of the world; when war
lords begin the ostentatious assembling
of armament of combat and the rat
ting of swords and the beating of drums
arouse strange and fiery emotions in the
hearts Of humanity, 1t is well to present
word portrayal of war as 1t actually
appears from the viewpoint of one who
has experienced war from every possible
angle. 1t is not pretty picture.
Military leaders and soldiers have time
and again experienced the futility OF
conveying to the lay mind true descrip-
ton of war at close quarters. 1t Is i'm
possible, 1t seems, for one who has not
taken active part in military conflict to
quite comprehend the true significance
Of war. Ordinary verbiage falls short
when employed in an attempt to de-
scribe scenes OF military combat and the
unbelievable horror and grotesqueness
displayed on battlefields.
Historians speak of war in glorified
terms; bards find in CORY battles the in
spiration and the material from which
to construct illustrious odes and poems
and songs. Many philosophers and sages
eulogize war as an efficacious purge Of
human life upon this earth. The major
ity of ordinary citizens condone war only
when 1t Is reSorted to as defensive or
protective measure, and their sense Of
patriotism naturally predominates when
war is engaged in under those condi-
tionS; otherwise military conflict Is
viewed with indifference and the mini
mum OF enthusiasm.
Unfortunately youth, the potential
basic foundation of all modern armies
visualizes war in absolute ignorance OF
the fundamental significance thereof.
Youths knowledge of war Is based solely
upon historical data. From the record
ings Of history, both ancient and mod
ern. 1t is possible that youth has gath
cred TO a great extent the impression
that war is glamorouS; that the clash of
arms is symbolic of heroiSm, of great
ness, of splendor. The record of hu-
man progress through the ages leads
modern young people to believe that the
superior, the conspicuous men of the
world, such as Caesar, Alexander, Ma
poleon, Hannibal, Sherman, Grant, Lee
military leaders all-gained their great
ness and their historical supremacy
through military strategy alone. But
this Is not true in any sense Of the word.
These great military leaders were born
Of period that marked critical turn
ing point in the social and economic
scheme Of their individual fatherlands,
but historians. thoughtlessly, it seems,
have placed greater stress upon the man
and his activities, blending his achieve
ments with glory and heroism and valor,
allowing national gain or any better
ment of the social and economic condi-
tions realized through their efforts to
merit secondary consideration In their
subsequent recordings.
There are two sides to the game OF
war. Only one of these is familiar to
humanity as a whole. That one Is the
spectacular. glorified side-the ostenta-
tiouS display Of armament upon land
and upon sea, the blowing of bugles, the
marching Of soldiers in review; the
laughing, joking, carefree potential can
non fodder" on parade: the flying Of
banners, the martial music, skirmisheS,
maneuvers: the military drills, the ro-
mantle camp life. The other Side-the
grim, terrifying scene of actual combat
is faced by the soldier alone, and no
person except soldier can possibly un-
derstand the immensity, the spiritual
reaction, experienced in one moment Of
Slaughtering warfare.
A few weeks in the trenches and back
to lice e-ridden rest" camp; few weeks
there, then back to the trenches to kill
or be killed; to MAIN, to destroy. to Ian
guiSh in the mud, the filth and the OBJ
Scenity of front-line fortification while
exalted military leaders and national au-
thorities, in comparative comfort and
security far behind the lines, consider
plans and formulate strategies for the
further exploitation Of the soldier-the
unfortunate pawn in the game Of war.
War is unnecessary in this modern age.
No international dispute or situation
could possibly arise that could not be
satisfactorily adjusted without resorting
to arms.
The social and economic distress that
has visited the world over a period Of
years has brought much misery and
wretchedness and loss Of courage to the
human breast. Unemployment has, in
q great measure, destroyed the morale
Of thousands; ambition has become
stunted in the hearts of youth. but while
there is yet life in the individual and in
the Nation as a whole there is cause for
hope for brighter day to supplant the
one Of gloom that enshroudS like pail
the present economic and social life.
But II our political leaders should, at
such q critical time. permit this country
to become entangled in foreign alliances
eventually leading to war, absolute eco
nomic chaos and ruin could not be
avoided. RAYMOND B. HUDSON.