The Audacious WarBarron, Clarence W. (Clarence Walker)
History
The Audacious War
Barron, Clarence W. (Clarence Walker)
World War, 1914-1918
The twentieth century has been distinguished by a call to the
humanities; a summons to a larger brotherhood. This has been the
meaning of the clashes of the classes within all growing
nations--Germany, Russia, the United States. All that outcry of
humanity against mere commercialism, against the mere financial
exploitation of man and his labor, in this age takes on a larger
meaning.
In great wars material things go back; but the man goes to the front;
and the victorious survivors make a newer and broader human creation--a
new world with a new spirit.
The world has been seeking a solution of many social problems. They
instantly disappear as dissolved in the hot cauldron of war. In the
settlement of peace following, they are found precipitated in the fired
solution, refined, clarified,--"settled."
To-day all social problems are merged in the greater problem of
national existence. Alliances and a larger nationality become
necessities. Man comes forth in a larger citizenship--a citizen of the
whole world. There is, there can be, no other solution, no other
universal peace. From this war must follow a world federation and
international citizenship.
The first recognition of the brotherhood of nations may arise under the
Monroe Doctrine. While this doctrine primarily is one for our national
defense, it should properly embrace the defense of both North and South
America, any aggression from the other side of the ocean to be unitedly
resented on this side.
The increasing responsibility of nations for their fellow nations may
be illustrated by the case of Cuba. The United States heard the cry of
the Cubans under Spanish rule, turned out the Spanish rulers, and gave
Cuba over to the Cubans. In the same spirit the United States, finding
itself in possession of the Philippines, is now attempting to develop
them not for the United States but for the Filipinos.
Lastly, we have the example of President Wilson, who has decreed that
government by assassination in the countries to the south of us must
cease, and that the United States will not recognize any government
thus set up in Mexico.
It is, however, not yet incumbent upon any nation, as upon individuals,
to say to its neighbor, "You shall not arm; you shall not build a war
machine of aggression; your offense against one is an offense against
all; your military invasion against one for purposes of expansion or
self-aggrandizement will be resented by all."
Until we have practical application of a world-wide police in
maintenance of the peace of nations, not alone by international
agreement, which can be broken, but by agreement and international
police-enforcement, so that it cannot be broken, there can be no
universal peace.
We are now approaching that time.
There is no more reason why aggregations of people should have the
right of murder, destruction, piracy, and pillage, than that
individuals should have such right.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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