The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1936-08-28
WAR SCARE MAY BE MEANS OF
AVERTING WAR
(Rv RRUCE CATTON)


# sometimes happens that if you expect
the very worst for long time, you even
tually find out it isn't going to happen 10
you after all.
It may be-and let us hope it turns out
that way-that this will be the case with
the much-talked-of next war in Europe.
No one predicts peace, nowadays. Prac-
ticallg every observer who takes look at
the European situation comes back to re-
port that the world is teetering on the edge
of complete disaster, with the outlook get
ting progressively darker as time advances
The shipyards and the factories are
working overtime in every industrial coun-
try on earth, forging new weapons; from
all sides come reports of marching men,
soaring airplanes, and tensely watchtut
waiting in the foreign offices.
Bet is this war for which everyone is
preparing, doomed to happen, after all?
Isn'kthere slightly better than an outside
chance that It will not take place?
Hasn't the ordinary man-who doesn
want to die before his time, and who has
lot of things to do that he won't be able to
do if war comes-hasn't he some. reason
for believing that he will be permitted to
live, and do the things he wants to do?
There is this to think of. When dan
ger is exposed as plainly as this danger has
been exposed, and for as long time, peo-
pie at least are not taken by surprise when
at last it comes up close.
Having seen the danger coming from
affair." people have been able to prepare
themselves for it emotionaly. They are
not apt to be- stampeded. ....
Petty incidents which might precipitate
ten catastrophe, if handled skillfully, are
sure to get the most careful attention.
p A case in point is the recent flare-up over
the Spanish revolution. This revolt brought
extreme coservatism and extreme radical
ism into direct conflict. 1t stirred up the
antagonism between conservatives and
radicals all across Europe. 1t could very
easily have touched off war. -
But it was not long before the powers
were comforting on ways to locallze the
conflict The foreign offices, to be blunt
were scared to death; being scared, and
knowing that war could be started so cas-
ily they took steps to ward off the danger
while there still was time. - . ~.
For-and this leads us to the most en-
coufaging factor of all--the' various for
eign offices, without exception, know tina
their people do not really want war.
The common man, in whatever countr!
you find him, wants peace. If he is led OF
to war. he probably will 60, btavel!
enougfs; but he will not go gladly. 1t th'
war lasts very long, he is quite likely tt
take the weapons which war has put init
his hands and turn them against the PEG
pie who led him into war:-and take a ter
rible revenge. ,a
In 1919 war. came unexpectedly. People
had no time to sethup defenses against 1t
leaders, did not understand the dire reac
ton which it might ultimately provoke
among their followers. .. -, ......,..
Today all that is changed. The danger:
ali the. dangers are known by every
one. :, -r.. TX. s..,,. .. s..--
Is one, then, being too much of an Opt
mist In suggesting that this inevitable
next war may not happen, after all?
The country should elect congressman
Wh0canthink in terms of less tb a., h;Il,o,,s