The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1942-09-26
After Many
Years
Why We Fight
Germany
Reason 0oes Bach
To A''ile. the Hun
Some HiehIish's
From History
B. Y. I. SHORT

sons why the United States shout
he fighting on the side Of Chin
and against Japan. even withou
the latter axis affiliation. China
q" pointed out by DR.. Hu shih. Ia
through the centuries developed
national philosophy and way o
life comparable TO that OF Amer
lea. Jspan's philosophy dovetaili
with that Of the totslitsrian anS
militaristic nations with which sh,
Ii now associated.
Today there Is given a synopsi,
Of a bit of history that reveal,
something of the origin of ths
philosophy which actuates Ger.
many under the leadership Of
Adolph Hitler. II history repeats
Itself there can be expected some
unhappy times for this country
from the attacks by the Hitler
forces. In fact there is everything
In the background to suggest that
we will suffer much more from
Germany than from Japan. But
there is also in this history that
which encourages the belief that
the final victory will be won by
the forces of democracy and peace.
The story goes back 10 Attila,
. the Hun, who became ruler about
the middle of the fifth century and
shared the functions Of govern
ment with his brother. These two
leaders Of the barbarians who set
tied in Scythis and Hungary,
threatened the Eastern Roman
empire and twice compelled Theo-
dosius II to purchase an inglorious
peace.
The Huns soon came to esteem
Attila their bravest warrior and
most skillful militarist. Their re-
gard for him soon amounted to
superstitious reverence. He be-
came the sole leader and master
of warlike people and his I'M
bounded ambition made him the
terror of all nations.
Success in conquering other ma
lions went to Attilss head and he
,scribed to himself the attributes
Of a scourge which God had sent
A. to chastise the human race. Sup
ported by his fsnsticsl subjects,
he soon extended his dominion over
the people of Germany and Scythia
and compelled the eastern and
western Roman emperors to pay
him tribute.
Attila easily found a pretext for
war with any nation which prom
lsed him a rich booty. Hearing OF
the riches and power of Persia
he invaded that country but was
defeated on the plains Of Armenia.
He then turned his attention to the
Eastern Roman empire un d e r
Theodosius where there was some
prospect of riches.
Theodosius met Attila with a
3 great army but in three bloody
battles was pushed back by the
barbarians much as the Russians
have been forced back by the
Hazi army. The defenders made
their last stand at Constantinople.
Several times the barbarians
seemed about TO capture the city
but the strength Of its walls and
the ignorance of the beseigers as
to its vulnerable spots saved II.
Again there is a situation similar
10 that today as Stslingrad where
Hitler's armies have been unable
to overcome the Russians fighting
for their homes and their lives.
When Attila retired from the
battle Of Constantinople he turned
his forces against areas less pre-
pared TO oppose him. Thrace,
Macedonia and Greece succumbed
to the savage Hun who ruthlessly
destroyed seventy cities. These
victories put Theodosius at the
mercy Of Attila and he was oblig-
ed to pay a high price IN lands
and possessions for a questionable
peace.
Seeking more power and greater
riches. Attila turned his attention
TO Gsul. With an immense army
he crossed the Rhine and went on
until he eamped under the walls
of Orleans. Encouraged by their
bishop. ali the people joined with
the army and put up such a des-
perste fight that Attils was oblig-
cd 10 retreat 70 the plains Of
6 Chslons where he reformed his
army 10 await the Roman forces.
Concerned about the outcome of
the coming battle. Attils consulted
n soothssyer who told him that he
would lose. he concealed MS
alarm. went among his warriors
reminding them Of their glorious
heritage and expressed his Joy II
the thought that in this battle
Their yslor was 10 Be rewarded.
Inflsmed by his speech, the
Huns made 4 vicious attack and
broke through the ranks q ths
Romans and Coths. Il locked Ike
a victory for the Huns when ths
Gothic prince. Thorismond. a. th'
head Of an army q nj m n
charged down from the heighti
and surprised Atlls with a nanl
movement