Evening star., 1941-03-25

ago as they are today.
Take, for example, this diplomatic
exchange between the representa-
tiveS of small state, threatened by
the axis of its day, with the repre-
sentatives of large and ruthless
empire BY substituting only few
nameS-using Berlin" for Athens
and Belgrade" for Melos-you see
once again that these things have
happened before . long ago 90.
in another civilization . worship-
ing other gods and using tri-
remes instead of LuftWaffe and r.
A F., armored soldiers instead of
tanks
Berlin: 90 - that it is for the
benefit of our empire that We are
here, and also the safety Of your
country that we now propose TO
speak, We shall make plain to you,
since what we desire is to have
dominion over you without trouble
to ourselves, and that you should be
saved to the advantage Of both"
Belgrade: And how could it prove
as advantageous for us to become
slaves, as it is for you to have
dominiOn?"
Berlin: Because 1t would be 70
your advantage to submit before
suffering the most horrible fate. and
We should gain by not destroying
you"
A Question of Power.
Belgrade: And So you mean.
you would not consent to our re-
naming at peace and being friends
instead of enemies, but allies Of
neither combatant?"
Berlin: No: for your hostility
does not injure us so much as your
friendship; for in the eyes of our
subjects that would be proof of our
weakness, whereas your hatred is
proof of our power
Belgrade: DO your subjects re-
gard equity in such a way as to put
in the same category those that Go
not belong to you at all and those
your own colonists in most cases
and IN others revolted subjects
who have been subdued by you?"
Berlin: "As to pleas of justice,
they think that neither the one nor
the other lacks them but that those
who preserve their freedom owe it
to their power, and that we do not
attack them because We are afraid,
SO that. TO say nothing of our en-
larging our empire, you would afford
us security by being subdued, espe-
cially if you - should fail TO show
Unl1TSplNpS n u-i1i
is master of the continent
Belgrade: But do you not think
there is security in the other course?
For here also it is necessary. Just
as you force us to abandon all pleas
of justice and seek to persuade US
to give ear to what is to your own
interests, that We, too. tell you
what is to our advantage and try
TO persuade you to adopt it. if that
happens to be to your advantage
also. And in this what else are
you doing but Strengthening the
enemies you already have and
bringing upon you, against their
inclination. others who would never
have thought of becoming your enc
mieS?"
Take a Sensible View.
Berlin: Not so. for We 90 not
reckon those as the more dangerous
to us who, dwelling somewhere out
side of the axis, and being free men,
will defer for a long time taking
any precautions against us, but
those who are already exasperated
Irr -
our rule. For it is these who are
most likely to give way to reckless.
ness and bring both themselves and
us into danger which they cannot
but foresee."
Belgrade: Surely, then, II YOU
and your subjects brave so great a
risk, you in order that you may not
lose your empire. and they, who are
already your slaves, in order that
they may be rid of it. for us surely
who still have our freedom it would
be the height of baseness and
cowardice not to resort to every
expedient before submitting to ser
vitude."
Berlin: mo, not if you take
sensible view of the matter; for with
you it is not a contest on equal
terms to determine a point of manly
honor, so as to avoid incurring dis
grace; rather the question before
you is one of lf-preserva tion-to
avoid offering resistance to those
who are far stronger than you
Footnote to history: Athens con-
quered the Island OF Melos, but
Athens lost the war.
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