A YOUNG MAN'S VIEWS ON WAR

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 142, 13 December 1939, Page 10

A YOUNG MAN'S VIEWS ON WAR

" 'Twenty-three's' letter in your issue of last Saturday was a mixture of sound common sense and illogicality (writes H. F. Broadbent). Hie sincere hatred of war made refreshing reading, but why the merely negative attitude towards it? Why condemn war and at the same time accept its implications? 'Twenty-three' wonder's doubtfully if the world will be a better place after the present conflict. History will answer that question for him. War has never yet produced anything of permanent value to mankind. I am a young man too, and it is my contention that war as an instrument of policy must inevitably, sooner or later, give place to rational discussion. This remark I admit has bpcome a platitude; the point is how to effect such a transformation in international affairs. I believe sincerely there is only one solution, an attitude of unconditional opposition to war. The faith in a future world state founded on peace is not a myth but a reality if only the masses of people will oppose the slaughter of their fellowmen. ... My remarks will probably be interpreted as disloyal and ridiculous in the light of German and Russian aggression. I am, however, no revolutionary but merely convinced that war is no remedy for the solution of world problems. Twentiethcentury history will show us that Germany and Russia have not been alone in their aggression, and in Germany's case most people not bitten by the patriotic bug will admit her treatment since 1918 has hardly been that of a pampered child. I firmly believe, such is the overwhelming desire for peace amongst the 'peoples' of the world, that if one great nation voluntarily and entirely threw aside its arms the rest would speedily follow. It is fear and fear alone which so far has prevented universal disarmament and destroyed the " efficiency of the League of Nations. Many people realise now, I think, what a fallacy it is that the arms strength of • a nation is its great safeguard of peace, Hitlerism may be destroyed at the end of the present war but don't let us delude ourselves. Many other precious things will be destroyed with it and who would dare to say it will be the end of militarism?"