The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1942-05-21
THROUGH
HAZE [
Y
o.
BY
Hazei Brannon

great success except for n thing
-. the thousands of people who
lined the walks were too silent. The
applause which the Memphis paper
thought should have been given to
our men going away to battle was
lacking. The paper ever noted a
shocking disrespect to the colors by
vast numbers Of men who failed to
take off their hats as the flag was
passing by.
The attitude of the people in
Memphis expressed by their silence
may be typical of the feeling through
out this section and perhaps
the whole nation. We are in a war
that we did not ask for or want.
Now that we are in it we might blame
u leaders for getting US into
The war. But in our hearts we know
we r more to blame for not taking
a responsible interest in the affairs
of our government. In our money
making pursuits we have let poll
ticians run the government and for
gotten some Of the elements Of de-
cency and honesty. We have been
too busy in the past selling scrap
to the Japs to heed the cries
If Chinese children. Now Ameri-
AN boys have been killed by that
scrap in another form.
We would not be a good neighb0r
to our neighbors in the south and
buy rubber from them. We pre-
ferred to let things 90 and con-
sequently for years we have been
held up by an international rubber
cartel controlled by the British and
Dutch. Now thousands Of American
lives are being sacrificed to get
that rubber back and we are
trying to buy friendship in South
America.
There is no question in our minds
but that we must fight. WI were
attacked. There can be no thought
but victory. We know that we cam
not stand for defeat. But we also
know it is the biggest and hardest
undertaking in our history. It is a
job that must be accomplished. Out
If our unpreparedness we must
somehow submerge defeat and des-
pair and fight to victory. 1t is q
grim undertaking and one not made
easier by cheering parades. speech
making and flag-waving.
One thing that would contribute
a great deal to u spirit is to more
clearly define what it is we arc
fighting for and what we might x
pect for victor and vanquished in
peace.
The American people as wen as
the Asiatics are asking the question
what is going to happen to the lat
ter in peace. What will happen to
the former Dutch and British colo-
MES in the far east? Will they be
restored back to their former ow-
ners after a United Nations victory?
Or will they be freed? We say we
are fighting so that all men might
be free. But do we really mean it?
These are some of the questions it
is not too early to consider.
The morale of the people in the
countries under Jap domination is
dependent upon the answer. We
should be able to understand their
lethargy if a United Nations victory
means only a restoration to power
of their former n 1t Is only
a question whether their masters are
to be Asiatic or white.
The people in the U. S. are inter-
ested in this question, too. We are
placed in the position of fighting for
the freedom of the Chinese, Bur-
mese, and the Netherlands East In
dies when as a matter of fact 1t Is
not in our power to grant them theli
freedom when we win. 1t will be uI
to the British and Dutch for these
are their possessions.
A declared policy now on the par
of Britain and the Dutch govern
ment regarding their colonies afte'
a United Nations victory would a.
more to effect good morale amonl
the natives and enlist their aid
than any other one thing. We ca!
xpect their attitude to remain VIVA
it is until such a declaration Il
made.
American spirit. too, woui d 0
improved with such a declaration
We would know that the principle
we say we are fighting for VIII b
out into effect after III victor
and these possessions will be treee
Unless we have this assurance yer
likely victory will mean restoring tn
status quo in the far east and gu
fighting will be something of a farc'
We will have restored Imperial po"
err while fighting for Democracy
Confusion is Mr.. lckes' create.
contribution to the war effort.
he would simply keep his mouth sh'
we are certain some OF the COZ
fusion would disappear.