Evening star., 1937-11-14
War

Continued From First Page)
even moral depression brought on as
its aftermath. 1t is merely a recogni-
ton of certain indisputable truths.
Man clearly needs some occasional
titanic emotional upheaval to stimu-
late him to the highest attainments.
Thus far in his development he has
reacted most markedly to war. Per-
haps as he grows older, in ages to
come, other and less repulsive agen-
cies will serve the same purpose.
I'm prehistoric times the predatory
instinct brought out the worst and
the best as it does today. First man
fought alone, then by families. tribes,
clans and villages. The battles of
nations have given way to the con-
flicts of combines of nations. and since
time immemorial even the gods are
called to assist. But from the Java
man and the Neanderthaler to the
present these conflicts, while they
destroyed much, have also contributed
to the progress of the race That
should be recognized, as We so we'll
and readily recognize the fact that
each of these struggles has brought its
proportionate share of great misery
and human suffering"
DR. HRDLICKA, possessed as he is
of viewpoint which encom-
passes not centuries but ages of mans
rise from the primeval forest and
cave, finds no basis for the oft-re-
peated assertion that ''the next great
war will wipe out civilization"
"A new general war will come" he
declared, "as inevitably it must come.
Causes which now are apparent to US
may influence the time element, but
that is all. Consider the world as a
vast steam boiler; a boiler, the indi-
vidual pipes or groups of pipes Of
which have been overcharging and
exploding, overcharging and explod-
ing from the beginnings Of human
endeavor. Every so often the steam
pressure-the pressure of overpopu-
lation and accumulated discord-
rises beyond the point the restraints
can bear, and an explosion takes place.
Sometimes men can postpone the
catastrophe. AS man progresses, he
gradually perfects his means of patch
ing and strengthening the machinery.
But thus far its weaknesses are still
only too visible. And egotism, passion,
group alteration, still override rea-
SON."
The eminent scholar made it clear
that in his view his conclusions should
in no wise be taken as indicating dis
belief in the ability of man to pro-
long the periods of peace by his own
efforts.
That" he said. should be obvious.
Equally clear should be the change
which has taken place in the direct
motives of war. Man already has
passed the stage when he fights only
because his chief-king, or emperor,
or dictator-has been the butt of an
insulting remark or injury. Today the
issues are far deeper and more COM
plex, and the results are correspond
ingly more far-reaching
But as to permanent peace. that, DR..
Hrdlicka believes. is an ideal beyond
present human ken.
Some day." he said. "man may
reach that Utopia. but that certainly
will not be in our lives nor in those of
the next few generations"
DR. HRDLICKA was asked: What,
in your opinion. would be the best
safeguard against warp"
He replied:
I'm the first place, a thorough and
continued study of wars second, q
justice and good will to all: third,
generalized enlightened appreciation
and love of ones country and people;
fourth, as thorough direct acquaint-
ance with and understanding of other
countries and peoples as may be pos
sible, and. last, thorough insurance
of safety through preparation"
The scientist believes that while
the influence of the peace societies Is
beneficial to q given point, 1t may
become dangerous should it reach 50
far as to undermine the sense of need
Of due insurance, due preparation.
against war"
Furthermore, it is his opinion that
a purely humanitarian impulse would
justify war If all other means failed.
He asserts that International crime,
if tolerated, would eventually debase
all human society,"" And he Is con-
vinced that an insult to national
honor would Justify war "if there were
a clear sense of that honor, and If
the insult were serious. AS to sn in
dividual, so to nation, there is no
greater treasure than honor"