The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1950-07-07
MY TWO-BITS WORTH /.
DIPLOMACY, WORLD PEACE, AND
POLITICS
By LEVERNE HAMILTON

jumped several degrees in tempera-
ture and is soon to reach the "shoot-
inc stage" if indeed it has not al
ready arrived at that point.
For my part, | want none of it.
Neither, | think, do the vast majority
of the American people. Why. | ask,
must Uncle Whiskers stick his chin
out and his nose into dispute that
has no great present concern for him
or us and may have but little future
concern or influence on our gen
eral welfare?
Clearly the American people, the
majority at least, want world peace.
So, firmly believe, do the majority
of the people of other nations. Then
why can it not be secured. Back in my
mind is the conviction that the an
swer is Diplomats, Munitions makers,
and Politicians.
Who benefits from war? Not the
common people. World war | Ito end
war; and to (make the world safe for
accomplished neither pur-
pose, in fact it did not even make
democracy recognizable to the in
terested parties. Who then benefits?
Munition makers of course, financial
", their personal interest is easily
iiscerned, also that of industrialists
whose business is increased by war
demands
But the real blame for wars lies
With our diplomats and politicians.
Not Americans alone, but those of
many nations. do believe the com
non people of most if not all nations
would gladly adopt national policy
If live and let live, were our diplo-
mats and statesmen, or rather |
hould say politicians, were statesmen
nough to formulate such a policy.
have seen enough of politics
IS she is played" to note the urge
which drives a politician once he is
n office for any length of time. Yes,
have been a candidate numerous
ines myself, not however with much
ope or expectation of being elected,
or have | felt that some serious or
World shaking calamity would take
lace if | were defeated. That is not
rue however of your most successful
POLITICIANS (perhaps that was why |
aven't been a successful" politi-
lam. Your successful politician, or
most of them, work themselves into
he state where they feel that world
alamity will take place if they meet
efeat. Unfortunately they are suf-
lclently gifted to make a majority
f the voting public hold the same be-
EFF, and successive as the breath of
fe to them. With power comes the
rive to use it and the egotism to
lflict their own desires on everyone,
nd sad to say their analytical ability,
hat is, ability to decide what is best
be done takes second place to their
ersonal desires.
Statesmen could solve the prob
lem of world peace Politicians
never will
AS a civil service employee | saw
~ first "non-communist" affidavit.
ever having been a member of the
'mmunist party, signing that affida-
u was merely routine. Later as an
[tlclal of labor unions | had oc-
lslon to sign several more similar
At that time and even now
can truthfully say that | do not be-
eve IN or advocate the overthrow
our government by force and VIC
nee, but If our politicians are to con-
nue. on the course they have been
| am in a fair way to
lange my mind In fact | believe
at several good funerals in Wash
gton, d. c. might be wonderful
ing for the country at large, and
at sentiment goes for other nations
we'll
War of self defense? Baloney. |
not personally fond of personal
mbat, altho having found it prac-
'aily unavoidable on a few occas-
u.s. put have never yet found it
'ceSSary to travel hundred or a
ouSand miles to defend myself.
In conflicts of this kind, between
dlvlduals or between nations the
gfeSsor is usually the one worsted