Evening star., 1939-05-03
Saws We Must Assume
Lead in World Affairs
Believes Hermit Notions
Sure to Fall Behind in
March of Civilization
To the Editor Of The Star:

To the Editor Of The Star:
An old adage states that, peace rules
the day, where wisdom rules the mind"
1t Is needless to say that in every nation
upon this earth the inherent desire Of
every scrupulous and law-abiding citizen
is that through the trying times to come
peace will rule the day.
While there exists this desire on the
part of each one of us, 1t is equally in
teresting to note that there are varying
opinions relative to the proper course in
bringing about this cherished and lasting
tranquility.
It seems hard for Adolf Hitler, refer
ring to his recent address before the
Reichstag. to comprehend our interest
in the affairs of Europe. There are also
those here who visualize the United
States as a separate entity in this world
OF ours, sufficiently able to master our
own destiny without becoming en-
broiled in what they term the affairs Of
foreign intrigue. On the other hand,
however, there also exists that other
group who look upon the nations Of the
world as a group OF neighbors, each striv-
ing for happiness and justice through
the blessings of collective security.
There can be an almost unlimited dis
pute on which is the wiser road to fol-
low. This writer is of the opinion that
the latter is the fairer and more prac-
tical, and would like to clarity myself
on this contention.
The United States is the greatest single
political, military and economic unit in
the entire Western Hemisphere. To en-
Joy this titanic prestige we must assume
the responsibility which goes with it..
We, automatically become the leader
and spokesman for Western Hemisphere
defense and fair play. Anything that
affects the continent of Europe quite nat
urally has potent effect on this side
of the water The trade alone which the
Western and Eastern Hemispheres enjoy
with each other gives us, as Mr.. Roose-
velt previously stated, "a stake in world
affairs"
There have been nations in the past
who thought, after reaching a certain
plane OF development, that they could
we'll leave their brethren alone. China
at one time reached what she believed
to be the zenith OF social and cultural
progress. She became too good to asso-
ciate with less fortunate neighbors and
could only visualize the heights of her
own elf-centered egoism. But what hap
pened? She built wall. A wall OF
stone at first, but later a wall against
the infiltration of intellectual progress.
She believed in progress for herself only
and stimulated retrogression through her
own shortcomings. Dimmed by the
clouds of her own ignorance, she be-
came the footstool of Western civiliza-
ton until today her very territorial in
tegrity is being swiftly absorbed by a
sinister and heretofore backward people.
America might well do the same and,
no doubt, for a few short years we could
become intoxicated by the ableness OF
our own suficiency. This we could do if
we were content to remain through the
coming generations 1889 Nation. Yes, we
do have a stake in world affairs, for are
we not a very important cog in the
mechanical pattern of world justice?
We are more than just spokesman for
our own heritage, but counselor in the
court of world public opinion for some
81 Western republics.
In any neighborhood every neighbor Is
expected to contribute his or her support
to the stability Of the community. They
assume this responsibility in appreciation
of the collective guarantee Of law and
order. It is frequently true that her
NIT living in such neighborhood and
isolating himself for selfish motives
lives and dies pauper in spirit.
We cannot, therefore, as a center OF
10th century enlightenment, afford to be
placed in the category Of hermit nation
BENJAMIN r. STICKNEY, Jr.
April %.