WORLD TRAGEDY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 29 October 1941, Page 6

WORLD TRAGEDY

fTo the Editor J Sir. Throughout the ages there have been false prophets men who under the cloak of "high ideal . ' and quoting tevts have led their countrymen down the broad highway which leads to di struction. But, surely, the e wolves, in sheepclothing- have never achieved urh everything seems to have played into their hands. For they started their tricks when civilisation has reached a stage where thinking people are realisin its limitations. Secondly the world has shrunk in size owing to modern chess-board upon which skilled player, can move their pieces. Finally the Dictators have to hand a brand now weapon, the radio, with winch to play upon human heart strings. Could anything be more convenient! and how they have handled their tools! Prior to the war which was to enslave the world the e first to lull the nations into false recur itv. This they proceeded to do: "Why have frontiers?” asked they, "Who’s going to attack you anyway?" and "Why have armies? they are merely cannon-fodder —war is a mug’s game anyhow” .. . Such was the gist of their propaganda. But, believe me, it was well concealed beneath a treacle of goodwill, peace and plenty; until the pill therein was hidden and the foolish moths had got caught n the treacle. Is this to be wondered at? After all w'e love the soft, easy way. especially when it apparently coincides with “world-uplift” therefore it is not surprising that only a few like Churchill saw through it. This is how their cam paign ran: Over the wireless, nt meet irgs. in books they poured forth their so -stuff. "We are all working for a new era. in which everyone will want to work for the good of others. Let us unite in the cause of humanity and banish the plague-spots made by the older generation. The world is moving towards better things. We must move with the times and lead the van towards a new era. . . This was the theme upon which, with countless variation, tlie siren music harped. Now soft, now appealing always with the vox humana stop well out, and a hint of youth marching with banners flying towards a newer and better world. Is it to be wondered that 90 per cent danced to the tune of these kindly shepherds? Elderly reformers. poets and peace-loving politicians; the dis appointed in life and the would-be leaders; churchmen and laymen all danced to the tune of pacifism. After all, the ideals were delightful, although the shepherds never intended the nations to enjoy them. Never is the false prophet so dangerous as when he paints a true picture with a false brush. We look at the picture and overlook the brush. So the deadly work went sweeping round the world sucking in converts like a devil-wind until the globe resembled a mushroom field with all the societies and movements which sprang up for the propagation of goodwill; all outwardly beautiful and true—but always with poison at the roots. Pomtired world; how easily it succumbed to this heaven borne chance to solve its problems so glibly proffered. How few looked beneath the surface to see where they were being led. For. whilst it is an axiom that false prophets are known by their works, it takes time before their fruit appears. All the world saw was a lovely flower dangled before youth and its teachers. Dictators specialise in capturing youth, because children are the slates on which teachers write, and a good teacher is always one who seeks high ideals and endeavours to leave the world better for his or her moulding. So time and again the Dictators laid their snares for Youth. Thu- it is to-day that we are faced with the dismal spectacle of a vouthvvar; lads of one nation destroying lads of another. The very thing we believed we had avoided. Now indeed is the fruit of the false prophets visible for all to see. The design we thought so pretty when we could only see little bits. The flower has bloomed and it deadly night shade. Worse, we are obliged to witness the effect of its poison. In Norway the corroding of a once vigorous and upright nation. France is weeping tears of blood. The whole 01/ Europe has awakened to what that false music implied. In the rest of the world dreamers are stirring from their drugged slumber, though in America some are still under its influence. The poison was very slowly administered, remember —over a space of years. Is it to be wondered that they cling to their rose-coloured spectacles and refuse to see through the sombre hue of Churchill’s glasses which face the darkness of night towards the dawn ol' genuine Peace. And are we in New Zealand wide awake? When I read the following description of France it made me feel uncomfortable so I sign myself I am, etc., 4, 1 WONDER.” Nelson, 27th October. The description referred to is contained in a clipping from the “New York Times Book Review" and reads: What had gone on in France before the outbreak of the war to make this tragedy possible? Mr Kernan believes that France had lost her physical and moral stamina. A declining birthrate,! rotten politics, a low standard of ethics | in her professional life. The school; teachers of France, a powerful group,! openly declared that “slavery is better j than war.” When war came many teachers. Mr Kernan says, entered the ! army as reserve officers and then lied in the heat of battle. A youth who worked in the “Vogue” office in Paris) simulated appendicitis when the Blitz ki icg came in May, 1940, and explain-i eel: "You see, Monsieur, 1 come of a 1 generation that has always been taught ! by its schoolmasters that the men who j died in the last war were suckers. 1 ; decided I wouldn’t be one of them.” I