THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 263, 2 August 1941, Page 8

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY

Comments —Reflections Intercession. Father of all, Who hast promised that all the kingdoms of this world are to become the kingdoms of Thy Son, purge the nations of error and corruption; overthrow the power of sin, and establish the kingdom of grace in every land. So may justice, mercy and peace prevail among the nations and Thy name be glorified; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

No storm hurts a man who believes. —Ovid.

Two items from the “10-year” compact signed by Ribbentrop and Molotov and published in Moscow on August 24, 1939: Article I: The two contracting Powers obligate themselves to refrain from every act of force, every aggressive action and every attack against one another, including any single action or that taken in conjunction with other Powers. Article V: In the event of a conflict between the contracting parties concerning any question, the two parties will adjust their differences or conflict exclusively by friendly exchange of opinions, or, if necessary, by an arbitration commission.

“During the more than 20 years between the two wars, more nonsense was talked and written about peace and war and international affairs than at any time in the history of mankind. Every conceivable sort of political crankery flourished: There was no scheme for the betterment of mankind, no crazy plan for everlasting peace or the establishment of justice and equality, that did not find zealous promoters and credulous followers. In the once-so-proud Republic of Letters there was a widespread surrender to invading hordes of improvers, projectors and uplifters. Those 20 years were Europe’s and, above nil, England’s Silly Season, a kind of drivellers’ honeymoon.”—T’.ie “Nineteenth Century.”

“Mt. Neville Chamberlain had no illusions about the Fuehrer, but he knew that hitherto it had been Hitler’s boast that his word was as good as his bond. He was genuinely disappointed when he found that Hitler was now beyond caring for his reputation, but he was not greatly surprised. He had believed that there was a streak of idealism in the Fuehrer’s character and had determined to play it for all it was worth. With Mussolini, as with Hitler, he had taken a practical view. He had made skilful use of a doubleedged tool, and he looked for no results but those of the immediate future. He had played- a great game with all the resources on which he could lay his hand, and—this is what must not be forgotten—he had won. There was no war in 1938; there was a chance — not indeed so good as it then seemed, but still a chance —that there would be no war in 1939. When it came, neither Mr. Chamberlain nor anyone else could have averted it; that it did not come a year earlier is due to Mr. Chamberlain, and to Mr. Chamberlain alone.”—-Mr. George P. Antrobus, in “King’s Messenger.”

“The position taken up by France last. May when she was still a belligerent was that all German parachutists landing in French territory wearing any uniform but the German would be immediately shot. Our own practice Jn dropping paratroops in Italy was to mark them clearly as British soldiers; and Italy, in fact, announced that they would be treated as prisoners of war. The inference is that if they had been disguised they would have been treated as spies. Germany herself seems to recognize that it is wrong to clothe German paratroops in British uniforms, for she has officially denied that her troops wore New Zealand uniforms, and has explained that they were wearing ‘tropical dress for German parachutists.’ Under Article 23 (f) of the Hague Regulations it is forbidden ‘to make improper use’ of military insignia and uniform of the enemy. Some writers say that this settles the question, but others have pointed out that there may be a proper use of enemy uniforms and that only the improper use is forbidden. Just as a ship may fly the enemy’s flag provided that she hoists her own before firing, so, it is contended, troops may wear the uniform of an enemy in order to escape from him or to draw his forces into action. But many writers hold that even this is illegal; and it is generally agreed that it is illegal for belligerent forces to wear enemy uni forms during actual fighting.”—"The Scotsman.”

“One of the greatest paradoxes of the current period in world history Is the fact that beyond any question many, and perhaps most, of the leading figures in both Japan and the United States earnestly desire a settlement of Japanese-American differences — yet seldom have prospects for such settlement without further deeper trouble seemed more remote. There is almost every possible reason for a settlement. The word ‘almost’ indicates the single exception which for the present wrecks prospects for accord. That exception'’ may be summed up in three words—‘Japan's national policy’—and it represents a force lying athwart not merely the national policy of the United States, but likewise the whole course of civilized thought and action for which the democracies and the democratic-minded nations are strung ling on the world front. With the .abandonment of Japan’s so-called ‘Shidehara policy’ of peaceful economic penetration of the Asiatic mainland. Japan began to turn her back on the whole basis of understanding with modern-minded Powers. The doctrine of the ‘have’ and the ‘have-not’ nations was eagerly seized upon.”—Mr. Ran dull Gould, writing from the Far East to the “Christian Science Monitor." * * * Retribution Ruffians, pitiless as proud, Heaven awards the vengeance due; Empire is on us bestow’d, Shame and ruin wait for you. —Cowper.