The Manawatu Daily Times An Old Story

Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 7065, 26 January 1933, Page 6

The Manawatu Daily Times An Old Story

Once upon a time—as most old tales begin—two mighty men roamed the same region. Neither had cause to tear the other, for there was an abundance of good things for bojb. But because it was evident that each put faith in his own might, a smith who lived in the same region saw an opportunity to increase his business.

He said to one of the mighty men : “You have now an equal chance against your neighbour if he should attack you. If you had a sword you would be too dangerous for anybody to attack.” Naturally the suggestion appealed to the listener, who replied : “Make me a sword.” Then the smith said to the other mighty man : “Your neighbour has ordered me to make him a sword. "With it he could destroy one even mightier than himself.” The second mighty man replied : “Make me one longer than my neighbour’s.”

The smith saw to it that the first mighty man knew of this transaction, and soon received an order for a still longer and heavier weapon. So the making of swords went on —likewise the smith’s warnings to his customers. Soon each mighty man was asking himself : “What has my neighbour against me that he must have a larger sword than mine And finally each decided that if lie did not destroy the other, the other would destroy him. The tale of the mighty men and the smith began ages ago. But the ending cannot yet be told. In modern times the same methods of selling armaments have been pursued. A letter from Alfred Krupp to Napoleon 111., accompanying a prospectus, is sometimes quoted as a classic example of armament salesmanship. The closing sentence deserves attention :

I venture to hope that Your Majesty will especially glance at the four last pages, exhibiting steel cannon which I have supplied to several powerful European governments.

More recent instances of the subtle salesmanship employed to burden the world with arms could be cited. Some' years ago British public opinion was aroused by false reports that another country was laying down a considerable number of warships.

The tragedy of the smith and the mighty men is not ended. But it will be when public opinion becomes fully aware of the technique by which makers of swords—and more especially cannon—reap profits of others’ patriotism. To-day there is developing a united stand among peoples of many lands, where public opinion is becoming closely knit in its endeavour to write finis to the tragedy.