THE WAY TO PEACE

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 57, 4 September 1937, Page 26

THE WAY TO PEACE

No person can visualise the next war in its complete horror. Perhaps it is fortunate; comprehension of the utter devastation that must inevitably: result from such a catastrophe could] scarcely be contained in a sane, ordered mentality. Yet it seems that unless a determined effort is made to spread the spirit of peace throughout the world, the imminence of a second 1914: 18 must become daily more threatening. One has had doubts if the ideals of pacifism still existed. Perhaps the perfect tranquil idyll has been in the minds of men. But now is the time for an ordered, analytical survey, a proposition, and a workable' project. Such a work is embodied in "Peaceful Change," a symposium by C. K. W.ebster, Arnold J. Toynbee, L. C. Robins, T. E. Gregory, Lucy P. Mair, Karl Mannheim, H. Lauterpacht, -and; C. A. W. Manning, who edits this volume which was recently published by Macmillan. It, is a well developed thesis. Every aspect of the problem receives attention, the historical, the economic, the questions arising out of colonial policy, the psychological and legal aspects, all are thoroughly investigated, and the volume concludes with a chapter of "some suggested conclusions" by 'the editor. Fresh light is thrown on the more discussed matters such as the national outlook on colonies, the usage of potential faqtors for good and evil in the case of recent scientific discovery and invention, and- the all-im-portant question of armament and disarmament is intelligently discussed. Of this last factor, the editor wisely points out in the concluding passage of his introduction: "Moral, power is as important as armed power. Napoleon and others have asserted that it is far more important. Physical re-armament is of little use unless the will to use the armaments in a just cause is also there. There is a need of a moral re-armament.

. . .Might not this be acquired by facing the whole- problem of peaceful change? And. it, may be that in the process the way can be found to peace before it is too late." ■