College Editors Sound Warnings
      In Editorials Denouncing War

War Has Been More Popular Subject for Editorials, Associate
      Collegiate Press Says in Survey of College Paper;
            Universal Campus Opposition of War Shown

            Armed with a complete understanding of the origins of war. and of the methods used to embroil the United! States in the last war, American college editors are giving notice that they will not be so easily led into the rah-rah jingoism in the event of future conflict.

            Probably no news event of the last few years has received the attention being given the Italo-Ethiopian dispute by the college press, an account made by the Associated Collegiate Press allows that denunciation of war has been the No. I subject for editorial comment for the past several weeks.

            "With the Italian-Ethiopian conflict well under way and war and devastation following in the wake of the Italian advance," says The Brown Daily Herald, "it is noticeable that as yet there has been little propaganda in the way of pictures, feature articles and editorials which are aimed at turning American opinion and emotions one way or the other.

            "Although very early for such an affair, there are no posters showing mothers with babes at their breasts being stabbed by bayonets or any of the similar rot which was prevalent during the early stages of the World War. For this we are thankful." At the same time there are . . . editorials and radio programs devoted to instructing the populace to the insensibility of the United States entangling itself in the conflict by careless relations with the belligerent nations. The saneness of this policy is not challenged by anyone but the militarists."

            But circumstances similar to that of the sinking of the Lusitania, says the Butler Collegian, "might set off the highly inflammable powder keg which is the United States ... citizens would become incensed and the agencies that fan the fear spirit would get in their work. Into the army would go the youth of the nation, many thousands of them college students . . . The "cream of the crop" would go into service. not realizing that the toll of war I in poverty and living torture."

            The Illinois College Rambler poses a question: "Are you ready to go away to war, you are willing to grab a flag, succumb to the hysteria of band-playing and marching feet, and die on a distant battle field. a 'hero' who gave his life for a 'glorious' cause?

            "Neither am I.

            "We know about War, you and I. We have not been taught that war is glorious and that to die for one's country should be the dream of every citizen. We have not been led by a dictator who most show his power to keep his position. We have not been imbued with a warlike spirit in our schools, in our churches, and in our homes. We know about War, you and I.."

            "You can't get people to fight until you make them want to fight," says the Rice Thresher, Rice Institute publication, "and you can't make them want to fight until they are hypnotized with brass hands and oratory and drugged with copious injections of propaganda . . behind a great war is a great mesmerist."

            There is a tendency for the American public to favor the under dog, the Cauldron, Fenn College (Ohio) student paper points out, and from sympathy for Ethiopia to hatred for Italy is only a little

(Continued on page 5)

step. "From righteous indignation to violent condemnation is but a step! From violent. condemnation to war hysteria is still less!"

            "II Duce has chosen Ethiopia for the opening of his fascinating production entitled, 'Death to All,' but like all fast moving productions this one will require a change of scene,'"says the Drexel Triangle. "More than likely it will envelop all of Europe"

            Eventually someone will recall the existence of the United States. This will be the signal for the propagandist to take the stage and momentarily steal the show. Having uttered a series of meaningless platitudes the propagandist will drop them from view . . . this simple task will have been completed and cannon fodder . . . will have been provided. Our excuse for entering the war will be to make America safe for something or someone. The true reason will be to protect large American interests."

            "In 1911 our relationship and attitude toward tire militarists of Central Europe did not differ greatly from those of today," says the Middlebury Campus. "It is true that munitions makers have been highly publicized in recent months and that an embargo on the shipment of arms and munitions to belligerent nations has been established . . But exporters are prepared to continue shipments, crying that they MAY demand cash in payment. Rankers are mumbling that MAYBE they will not lend much money abroad in this crisis ... For meagre profits on goods exported to Italy which annually are valued at only 65 million dollars, and for the, few pennies of usury collected by our money-changers, the United States must risk grave danger becoming embroiled in another destructive and costly major war."

            "Wait and see," counsels another student writer. "Wait and see. War will come again to our country. War-crazed breasts will beat the drums of hale; profit: mad capitalists will shriek for the blood of the enemy; damnable lies and filth will he broadcast by organized propaganda agencies; the press will join in the maniacal furor; special interests will seize upon the radio to drench the air with outraged indignant demands; the wealthy class will make a great show of patriotism as it forces the millions of under-dogs to don uniforms and shoulder arms in the name of 'God, hone and country', the. weak-willed millions will again succumb to the mad hysteria of war, and, in a blazing crescendo of hate, another country plunges forth on the headlong rush down the mad road to am and oblivion."

            The Columbia Spectator, however, sounds a more cheerful note. "The American anti-war movement was never stronger than it is today," says a Spectator editorial. "And . . its pressure is being felt in Washington. Still, a further revitalization of the student anti-war movement, around this and other issues, forced upon the American people by the constant threat of another world catastrophe, remains an urgent necessity."

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May 20, 2004