The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1938-09-29
EDITORIAL

al S4SIANAo O4A4
with increasing DARKNESS as VAT
Gays pass, ana lear caSLS a da1f
SHADOW across n enLlre World
whether the ulSaSJer can pe
avoided this time Is SJlIl II
noupJ, but II seems certain Jhd'
sooner or later Europe must De-
come involved in a conflict ina
viii MAKE the Word War looR
gentle in comparison.
IN lSI7, LIle United States
was drawn into a DISASTER tnal
took a heavy toll OF ives anC
wealth. Economists ana social
oglsts are still arguing ABOUT
why we got INTO the war, ano
Just what the net reSulIS have
been.
Certainly, generally speaking
the worst thing that can nap
pen to a nation is to be ill.,
Volved in a conflict of the moo
ern sort. But whether the Unit
ed States can avolu Deing drawn
into the next European quarrel
is still unanswered.
We have now, as we had at
the time of the World War, IN
terests both economic and social
in the countries that seem like
ly to be drawn into the fight.
Even now, America is being
Hooded with propaganda for
and against the dictator coun-
lrles. And some of THIS propa-
ganda is exceedingly subtle.
Ii we attempt to trade with
belligerantS, and We undOubted-
" will, we must expect to lose
both ships and men, and strong
resentment is bound TO be built
up. Each side will blame the
olner for these losses. Even ii
we refuse to sell ornaments,
and restrict out trade to food
aIone, we will get into trouble,
and if we take it too seriously
We are likely to become Nj
volved.
1t is going to be extremely
difficult to restrict all trade to
Europe, when everyone from
the llnancier to the farmer, will
undoubtedly find such trade
very profitable, and when the
lack of such trade will paralyze
a goodly proportion OF our IN
duStries.
So it seems to US that those
who wish to benefit from for
eign trade when a war comes
should do so entirely at their
own risk, and that the rest of
the American people should feel
no responsibility for those who
attempt it.
AS to the propaganda that is
already being sown broadcast,
the best policy would be to be-
lieve nothing concerning the
nations of Europe that will
reach all of US in whispers, and
which will purport to be I'm
side stuff"
OF course there will be afro
city stories, just as there were
in the years from 1914 to 1917.
of course we will hear that Ger
tain nations are planning to
conquer the world, and that we
will be next if we don't step in
and help now. OF coure we will
hear that this side or that is
already laying plans for our de-
struction, but we hope that only
the very credulous few will be.
lieve it.
These facts we should always
keep in mind. First, that the
United States would be an ex-
tremely difficult country to con-
quer from Europe, and that
transportation will have to be
developed to a greater extent
before any European nation will
dare try it. Second, that many
of our most valuable sections
lie inland, protected by ranges
of mountains, as well as by the
sea, and that the United States
could exist a long time while
getting rid of an attacking ma
ton. Third, that the vast re.
sources of the United States
would be of great value to any
country which would be able
to enlist them, and that we
must turn a deaf ear to propa.
ganda, threats and cajolery un.
less we wish to bring upon our
selves a part in a horrible anc
lnhuman conflict.
~ HWI9O G-.T% ,.I@NN~0