Evening star., 1939-10-19
Says America Should
Plan Now for Peace
Urges Study Of Causes Of War
Before Passions Can
Be InfIumed

Before Passions Can
Be InfIumed
To the Editor Of The Star:
Today. we, the people, are chasing q
mirage-dictionary neutrality. A true
neutral has mo marked inclination or in
terest in a dispute" Americans, a good
30 per cent of them, want to sit on the
sidelines and see the stuflng knocked out
Of Hitler and his gang Of hoodlums A
true neutral neither aids nor interferes
between belligerents." The present en-
barge on arms and munitions is q dis
tinct aid to Germany. and the proposed
cash -and-carry" plan would be an even
palmer aid to France and England.
Today, We, the people, have our hearts
set on keeping out OF war. But tomorrow,
perhaps a distant tomorrow, We will be
ments labeled democracy" or freedom"
or "civilization" The formula that car
ries a neutral country into conflict Is
too familiar to need much elaboration.
American agriculture and American in
dustry are stimulated by war orders.
American agriculture and American in
dustry boom. France and England run
short of cash. American farmers and
American workers feel the pinch. Amer
ican farmers and workers, not to men
ton the bankers, are quick to realize that
our good customers deserve little credit.
So they get credit. The war drags on.
The allies meet severe reversals. Our
entire investments, our prosperity" is
about to 60 up in smoke. So the flags
wave, the bands play and across the sea
We go to save American investments
labeled democracy or freedom or
"civilization."
This formula, which Is currently pop
ular, may be entirely too simple to be
true. That don't know. But IT, as the
so-called "realists' declare, modern wars
ale economic wars, it seems to me that
the essence of "stay-out -of-war" bill
would be economic non-participation
Therefore, suggest that the Presidents
cash -and-carry" plan be adopted with
two amendments, to wit:
No' HOl Dlo odlC VI dl dllQ munitions
for cash, or otherwise, to belligerents.
'b) License the sale of commodities to
belligerents, limiting the total quantity
sold to the normal peacetime exports.
The first amendment would prevent
American munitions factories from being
blown up and the second would not only
strongly limit our financial interest in
the war but would, at the same time,
prevent the terrible disruption of Ameri-
can economy that accompanied World
War l.
Unfortunately. this scheme would have
difficulty getting hearing either before
the court of public opinion or the Con-
greSs. American investors are playing
the war babies" American laborers are
going back to work and cold logic is
seldom match for either avarice or an
empty stomach.
So, I am afraid, as "realist," that we
ale going to war But now let me throw
OH this stining cloak of realism and dip
my pen into a dream.
World War II, like all wars, will end
with treaty of peace, in this instance
dictated largely, 1 believe, by the strong
est financial power OF the world, the
United States Of America Past treaties
have been employed to despoil the van
Quished tor the benefit Of the victor, and
II the same pattern is followed at the
coming peace conference the authors
will be writing the last chapter in the
history OF contemporary civilization.
Each succeeding war will bring greater
economic desolation. Despots will rule
the world Reason will bow to force. The
people will revert to savagery.
But must all treaties be inspired bv
hatred, motivated by revenge and
couched in the language of greed? 1
think not. Future treaties can and will
be drafted for the mutual welfare of
all. The victor, after Versailles, will not
forget, as some one has said, that the
economic pains OF an enemy are soon
felt across the border
And so, believing as do, in the no.
billty OF man, and in the ultimate
triumph of idealism over despairing
reality, I suggest that the Government
o. the United States appoint forthwith
committee Of historians, scientists and
economists charged with the respon-
sibility OF preparing the next treaty of
peace. Let them study now, before the
war has inf1amed their passions, the
causes that led to World Wars I and II.
Let them analyze the economic assets
and deficiencies OF the nations of the
world. Let them uncover the in
adequacies and shortcomings that led
to the collapse of the League Of Nations.
And when this has been accomplished,
insofar as it is possible to accomplish so
herculean task, and the world is ready
for peace, peace will be ready for the
world. peace based not on hate but
on reason. peace that will not cause
economic crises and war but economic
stability and world harmony
OF course, no one would be foolish
enough to suppose that all the terms Of
rational treaty Of peace would be
agreed upon by the parties. or even ac-
cepted as being rational, but the fact is
inescapable that the men or nation pre-
pared to submit such document would
be in 4 position to render the human
race tremendous service.
What magnificent thing it would be
It the United States furnished to the
delegates before the commencement Of
the next peace conference q printed
volume analyzing the worlds ills, eco