Timely Topics

Northern Advocate, 1 December 1939, Page 4

Timely Topics

“However often we may differ from Mr Gandhi, we are conscious all the ! time of his sincerity ,■ his unselfishness, i and, above all, of his fun' ' GANDHI, damental and universal • \ humanity. He always acts \as a great human, with deep syrm ? pathy for men of all classes and all ’• races, and specially for the under-dog I His outlook has nothing sectional [ about it, but is distinguished by that I universal and eternal humanity which [is the hallmark of true greatness of | spirit. It is curious how in these days jof European confusion and decline [Asia is steadily moving to the front. | Among the greatest men on the public f stage of the world today are two [Asiatics Gandhi and Chiang Kaiishek both moving immense masses ?of men along noble lines to a destiny [which in essence is one with the high i Christian ideal which the West has \ received but no longer seriously praci tises.”

“The majority of Americans are convinced that Britain and France are right, but are determined that America should stay AMERICA AND out of the war,” THE WAR. said Mr Raymond

Gram Swing, a commentator on American affairs, broadcasting from New York to the British public. “That determination is the strongest idea in American life today, and since that is true I think it needs to be faced. The determination not to fight cannot be determination not to fight on the side of Great Britain and France, for most people are in profound sympathy with their cause. It is a loathing of war. It is a loathing to be involved in a European war. It is a feeling which arises from a sense of security. Nobody in the United States needs to fear an immediate ■ danger. Bombs are not going to be dropped on New York. No one is going to send tanka across our frontiers. While the great majority of the people are determined that America should stay out, I do not believe that the whole of the majority or anything like it believe it is going to be possible. The war may not look today as it will six months or a year hence.” 5 * * *

“In Lecky’s historical and political essays, there is to be found a commentary on the second partition of Poland in 1792, which is

HISTORY singularly apt to the REPEATED, present situation (says the London “Daily Telegraph”). Pointing out that the course of events at that time depended largely on the King of Prussia, Frederick William 11, Lecky writes: ‘He had bound himself before God and man by two solemn and recent treaties to respect the integrity of Poland . . yet he had resolved as early as March, 1792, not only to break his word and to betray his trust, but also take an active part in the partitioning of the defenceless country which he had bound himself in honour to protect.’ Reading Hitler for Frederick William 11, this passage would be as true of 1939 as it is of 1792. It' should warn all but those who wish to be deceived how little worth is to be attached to the peace proposals which the present despoilers of Poland have, over the body of their victim, _ announced their intention of offering.”