The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1937-09-14

passage of rigid neutrality legislation, was
ample confirmation of the dictators' con-
vction that the United States need not be
considered as factor in world affairs.
We are quite ready to agree that the
major problem before the statesmen of the
world today is the development of pro-
cess to maintain peace. 1t can be solved
if the nations of the world are sincerely
determined to have peace. 1t cannot be
solved if Italy, Germany or Japan have de-
cided to use force in the pursuit of their
nationalistic aims. In the light Of past
events, it would be very dull schoolboy
who would fail to understand that these
three nations have adpted the use of force
as definite weapon in obtaining their
national desires. Consequently, the main
tainance of peace is impossible and the
task of statesmen at this time is to postpone
the world struggle until Great Britain,
France and the United States can be bet
ter prepared.
That this is the conclusion of reSpon-
sible statesmen is reflected in the cautious
policy adopted in regard to each new crisis.
Whether Germany invaded the Rhineland,
or Italy marched into Ethiopia, or japan
seized China, the concerted action of those
opposed to such aggressive steps has been
to soft-pedal their condemnation and make
the best of an evil day. Meanwhile, dis
armament efforts have been gradually
abandoned as the nations insistently en-
larged their military and naval forces.
Repeated aggression and constantly aug
mented fighting forces can only mean an
intention on the part of the lawless three
to continue their course until checked by
superior strength. That an alliance exists
between Italy, Germany and Japan to fur
Their their joint interests seems all but Of
ficially admitted.
If we are to assume that the reSpOn-
sible statesmen of the United States, Great
Britain and France have sense enough to
understand what has happened in the
world, we should assume that they, as far
as humanity possible, are making plans for
the future threat. The trouble lies in the
attitude of the people in these democratic
countries rather than in the inaptitude Of
their leaders. In fact the only chance for
the ultimate success of the Italian, German
and Japanese combination is the posi-
bility that the peace-loving people of the
democratic group will utterly fail to COM
prehend the danger which they face and
that, as a result of this ignorance, they will
continue to act singly and avoid the collec-
tive action which is necessary if the dicta-
tors are to be successfully met.
This article has already attained
greater length than is desirable but it is
vitality important for the people of Key
West to revise their conception of world
affairs in the interest of the peace which
they profess to worship. Forbearancc
and forgiveness are virtues in international
relations only so long as they are practiced
by all concerned Aggression and in
tolerance lately exhibited by the three
militant powers of the world, Will, in the
end, make peace impossible for this coun-
try, as well as for other nations, regardless
of our desire to work out the problems OF
humanity for the betterment of individuals
everywhere.