Consolation, October 19, 1938
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Contents
Threats of the Totalitarian Monstrosity 3
The Democracy of Democracies 3
Fascist Control of the World 6
The League Dances 8
The League God's Kingdom? 9
Rules of Machiavelli, Italian Statesman 10
Conditions in Cawnpore 11
The New Government (Continued) 12
Kingdom Privileges in Near East 12
New York 15
Counsel by J. F. Rutherford
Religious Service 17
Poltergeist in Blue Island 18
Under the Totalitarian Flag (Cont.) 20
The Pope as a Man of War 20
For "Freedom of Faith" Temple 22
October Night 23
Britain's Fascist Premier 25
Story of the Market-House 26
"Anti-Blasphemy Bill" 27
British Comment 28
Mussolini and Britain 28
Manufacturers' and Distributors'
Profits 29
Spring Green--Cover Design 31
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Appetizers
Sad Jokes from Britain
And the Poor Guy Was Bald!
■ Joshua Brush, a traveling man
Who sailed the briny main,
Was Mister Brush in England,
And Señor Brush in Spain.
The Frenchmen called him Monsieur Brush,
But the Germans were his bane;
For they always called him Herr Brush,
Which filled his soul with pain.
Not Guilty
■ Magistrate (to man accused of begging): "What have you to say?"
Prisoner: "It wasn't my fault, sir. I just held out my hand to see if it was raining, and the gent dropped a penny in it."
Ominous
■ "Doctor, I'm sorry to drag you so far out in the country on such a bad night."
"Oh, it's quite all right, because I have another patient near here, so I can kill two birds with one stone."
Profitable
■ Music Instructor: "I'm surprised to hear you admit you haven't been practicing, Susie. What can you get out of your music if you don't practice?"
Susie: "Sixpence an evening from my dad."
It Simply Isn't Done!
■ Foreman: "Wot's up, Bill, 'urt yourself?"
Bill: "No, gotta nail in me boot."
Foreman: "Why doncher take it out, then?"
Bill: "Wot! In me dinner hour?"
A Warning
■ Magistrate: "You were witness of this matrimonial dispute. What were your thoughts?"
Witness: "Never to get married!"
No Doubt!
■ Marjory: "Mummy, were you at home when I was born?"
Mother: "No, darling, I was staying with grandma in the country."
"Weren't you awfully surprised when you heard about it?"
CONSOLATION
“And in His name shall the nations hope.”—Matthew 12:21, A.R.V.
Volume XX Brooklyn, N. Y., Wednesday, October 19, 1938 Number 498
Threats of the Totalitarian Monstrosity
The Democracy of the Democracies
THERE is a slogan going the rounds today, “Collective Security”; the way to maintain peace is through Collective Security. With the idea of Collective Security no one can quarrel. It is a desire of the human race for which we are all striving in our hearts, but to say “Collective Security” today means one and only one thing, and that is, an alliance between the democratic countries, England, France, and the United States, against the Fascist countries, Italy, Germany, and Japan.
This alliance is supposed to start out by imposing economic sanctions; its more realistic proponents admit that it will end up with military sanctions. This, then, is what is meant by Collective Security today: we are asked to join in an alliance with the democracies of France and England, in order to prevent the growth of Fascism. The concerted action of these three governments will defend democracy and retard the aggression of the Fascist governments.
Let us examine in some detail just how much enamored of democracy these three countries are. Let us first of all take France. France is a democracy, that is, on the mainland, but through the vast stretches of North Africa and the more distant lands of French Indo-China the word democracy is unknown. These people are held in subjection by the French imperialists and have no say in their destiny. Do you remember with what universal condemnation and loathing the Germans were held during the World War when they bombarded and partially destroyed that monument of French art and religion, the cathedral at Rheims? Do you recall that we were especially indignant because this outrage was perpetrated upon the French, the guardian of light and culture for Europe? I am sure you remember this, but do you remember that after the war, after the world had been made safe for democracy and culture, the French decided they would take over the country of Syria, and in furtherance of this laudable purpose they bombed, not a cathedral, but the oldest inhabited city on the face of the earth, the city of Damascus? Do you recall that they destroyed one of the ‘holiest’ places of “Christendom”, a street in Damascus called “the street called Straight”? Even today, while Barcelona is being bombed the French will not help the legally constituted government but rather continue the farce of non-intervention and even go so far as to use the plight of the Spanish loyalists as a method of wringing concessions from the British to protect the French possessions in North Africa, also Ethiopia.
Then, the second country, Great Britain
Today Great Britain is waging a war, and has been waging it for years. Not a very big war, it is true, but that is only because the people against whom she is waging it are not able to carry on a greater struggle. I am referring to the northwestern frontier of India, where an independent and courageous people are trying to throw off the yoke of British imperialism. Do you remember one of the catch phrases of the British premier, Lloyd George, during the war, “Self determination for small nations”?
It was a beautiful phrase when applied to Austro-Hungary or Turkey, but it was different when applied to the heroic Irish nation which tried to gain its freedom from 800 years of British oppression. Do you remember how Lloyd George sent into Ireland, in 1919, 1920, and 1921, regiment after regiment of vicious storm troops known as “Black and Tans”, whose principal occupation consisted of burning a number of co-operative creameries and carrying out reprisals upon unarmed men, women, and children in retaliation for the losses which the Irish caused while fighting for Ireland’s freedom?
Coming down to date again, do you remember that it was Great Britain that imposed the farce of non-intervention upon Spain, which resulted in the rebels receiving all the ammunition and guns they required from Italy and Germany, while the duly elected government of Spain was refused this? Do you realize that it is this policy of Great Britain’s which has nourished and kept alive Fascism in Spain?
And now, coming to ourselves. Let us see how much our government loves democracy. Today, in the Delaware river, boats are loaded with aerial bombs for the civilian population of Barcelona and the Chinese cities. These bombs are bought by Germany and Japan and they can be bought by any other country; that is, any other country except Spain. Do you realize that the one country in the world that is fighting for democracy is prohibited by law from purchasing supplies in this country? Our government went so far in showing its teeth to those forces that were fighting for democracy as to especially prohibit the Spanish loyalists from purchasing supplies in this country.
Need I recall to you how we have kept dictators in power in Central and South American countries? and did you read last week the speech of Mr. McNutt, the high commissioner of the Philippines? He stated that we are not going to give the Philippines their independence, but that we are going to keep them as a base to protect our imperialistic interests in the Far East.
What does all this mean? Does it mean that life in England, France, and the United States is not freer, is not better than life in Italy, Germany, and Japan? Of course not. Life is a hundred, a thousand times better in the democracies, than it is in the Fascist countries. Does it mean that the people in control of the democratic countries are vicious, malicious, evil-minded? It does not. It means simply this: that any one of these nations will go to war, will enforce sanctions for only one purpose, and that is, to protect their own interests. France remained cold to Great Britain’s plea when Italy invaded Ethiopia, because her toes were not being stepped on. England remained cold when approached by France to guarantee Czechoslovakia’s independence, because her toes were not being stepped on.
We remained cold about both Ethiopia and Spain, but were aroused by the Far East. Is there something finer about democracy in
China than about democracy in Spain or Ethiopia? I think you will agree with me when I say there is not. But there are American investments or American spheres of influence in China where there are not in Ethiopia or Spain, and consequently we are now preparing ourselves to defend democracy against Fascism in the Far East. Do you think for one moment that it is tenderness for the Chinese that prompts this action—the Chinese, whom we do not even respect enough to allow them to try their own cases and insist upon having our own courts in their country? The question answers itself.
To sum up: Collective Security today means a military alliance between three powers who will not fight for democracy but will only fight to protect what they consider to be their interests.—David H. H. Felix, Philadelphia attorney, in an address in Baltimore, Md.
Is It True?
Is it true that Lewis and the C.I.O. are but pawns in that game of the president’s advisers, described by Bainbridge Colby, the distinguished secretary of state in Wilson’s cabinet, who, in 1934, said:
So completely has the administration turned its interest and its energies away from business recovery that it is openly charged, and indeed admitted, that a substantial number of the president’s intimate advisers are not desirous of business revival, feeling that to prolong the depression will produce a better psychological background for the prosecution of their revolutionary designs. The overturn of our institutions, including the Constitution, is their avowed goal.
That the C.I.O. is interested in something more than the betterment of labor has been demonstrated by its conduct.
In Michigan it not only closed factories and violated the law with impunity, defied the law-enforcing officers, but it seized and held possession of the State capitol at Lansing, Mich., for a day, and for no other purpose than to demonstrate its power.
For a like purpose, although it had a signed contract with Consumers Power Co., in the Saginaw Valley, it pulled the switches in the power plants and threw a goodly portion of the State into darkness.
It is backed by high authority. Otherwise it would not dare to defy the law-enforcing officers.—Representative Clare E. Hoffman, Michigan, in an address in the House of Representatives in Washington, May 27, 1938.
Sheep Control
The United States is a wonderful country for societies. Organizations exist for every purpose of which the human mind can conceive. One of the latest is a society to study the methods by which the mass mind is moved—a society to study what we call “methods of propaganda”. This society has classified under names well understood across the Atlantic the methods adopted by propagandists to influence public opinion. There is, for example, the Name Calling device. That is the practice of calling by unpleasant names a doctrine or a proposal which the organizers wish to defeat. We should call it “slinging”. Another method is diagnosed as the Glittering Generalities device. This succeeds by the employment of phrases so brilliant that they dazzle those who possess the little learning that is dangerous. The Transfer Method involves the employment of a flag or a similar symbol to excite emotion. The Testimonial device is obviously the familiar one of carrying something to success by the use of a testimonial. Finally, there is the Plain Folk method, which rests on the assumption that anything that is plain and homely is by that fact alone made glorious and worthy of acceptance. Methods are numerous and very ingenious, but examination shows that all have the same aim. That common aim is to prevent people from examining for themselves the facts upon which they ought to judge the matter.
The Glittering Generalities blind people to the facts. The flag or symbol drags patriotism across the trail. The Testimonials create the feeling that the evidence has been examined by better minds. And the Plain Folk appeal stirs class consciousness. The great thing, you see, is to keep the mass mind from getting to grips with the evidence. That might be fatal to the purpose which the propagandist has in view. It is all very cunning, and to some folk very amusing. It is droll to see these poor sheep herded away from the pastures they pretend to seek. From the point of view of human progress, however, it is profoundly tragic—tragic because the future of humanity depends so much upon right judgment by democracy, and because democracy is so ready to be spared the exertion of thinking for itself. In that last fact lies the chief weakness of democracy. Men and women “don’t want to be bothered”. They can read, but they won’t read. It is too much like work. Speeches at meetings, talks on the radio—these things, they say, are enjoyed only by the speakers. “We don’t want speeches. Cut out the talking,” is the familiar plea of people arranging social functions. So it comes about that nimble minds set out to supply democracy with readymade opinions, and to shepherd them to those folds where heads are counted.—Robert Power, in the East Anglian Daily Times.
Questions on Fascism
An Italian, in the Pittsburgh Press, asks the following questions with reference to Fascism: If it uplifts the classes, why is it necessary that every third person in Italy be a policeman, a guard or a spy? If it celebrates a new enlightenment, why does Mussolini say, “We must furnish the brains of our people less sumptuous in order to build up their character,” and then spend money intended for schools to the building of battleships? If it corrects our institutions, why has Mussolini found it necessary to announce five times the establishment of the corporative state officially, and yet no such corporative state exists? If it means a frank facing of facts, why is there such a tight censorship of news from Italy, so that we hear of the many peasant revolts and farmers’ uprisings by letter only months later? If Fascism inspires the respect of the masses of Italian people (and I have far too great faith in my own people to believe that), why does Mussolini find it important that when the people vote they vote “yes” for Mussolini on a blue ballot and “no” on a pink as guards watch?—American Guardian.
Progress of the Racket
♦ In 1918 there was one Communist country. In 1924 there was still only one; in 1930 there was one; and in 1938 there probably isn’t any, because most experts think Russia is no longer Communistic. In 1918 there was no Fascist country. In 1924 there was one, Italy. Now there are Italy, Germany, Austria, Poland and Hungary. Spain probably will go Fascist, and England is virtually a Fascist country now. There is an example of real potency for you. Fascism has not suffered a single setback, and I firmly believe that when it comes to dominate Europe there will be no hope for us.—Professor John Ise, of the University of Kansas, in an address in Kansas City.
Fascist Control of World
If the foreign policy of Great Britain, the United States and France had been directed by morons and imbeciles during the past six years, it could not have been any worse. They have all been following blindly the policy of Micawber that “something would turn up”. They have been afraid to align themselves with Moscow against Fascism, fearing Communism. They have been afraid to make agreements with Hitler and Mussolini, since every time they do they lose something. In their dilemma all they can think of to do is increase armaments; and for what? They say they do not want war.
The democratic powers have acceded to every demand made upon them by the Fascist nations until if they yield another point they will “lose their shirt” and become second- or third-rate powers. All they can do now is to fight. If Hitler and Mussolini are permitted to complete the conquest of Spain, France will be exposed to Fascist Germany on three sides, rendering her helpless. It will then be an easy matter for Hitler to move on into Czechoslovakia and annex the colonies of France, bringing the French empire to an end.
Britain will be finished also, because a Fascist Spain will make her position in the Mediterranean strategically impossible. As for Japan, she will be free to complete the conquest of all China, and, with those vast resources at her disposal, will be unbeatable in the Orient. The United States stands to lose what outlying possessions she has, including the Philippines, the Aleutian islands and Guam, and might eventually be at the mercy of Japan on the west coast. The Soviet union would be incapable of alone combating Japan and would lose Siberia, the Ukraine and her other possessions.
The turning point has come. The liberal nations must decide immediately, tomorrow, what they consider worth fighting for. They can continue to accede to the demands of the Fascist countries and thus “commit suicide”. It has never happened in history that empires have given up their possessions without a struggle, although the past six years might seem to indicate that is what they are going to do now.—Dr. Frederick L. Schuman, professor of political science at Williams College, Massachusetts, in an address in Springfield, Mass.
Patriotism by Compulsion
◆ In Germany the grotesque gesture of saluting with a “Heil Hitler” on every possible occasion has become an international joke. None suspects that the millions of Germans who under penalty of arrest mimic their loyalty to Der Fuehrer sincerely feel any devotion toward him or his policies. Their salute has become merely a convenient sacrifice to keeping out of jail.
We want none of this sort of patriotism in America. The sincere declaration of allegiance by one citizen would mean more to us than the spectacle of thousands saluting the flag because they feared being arrested should they renege.
Patriotism in this country, moreover, springs from the knowledge that every citizen is free to exercise his own conscience, and out of the knowledge that liberty is the first law of the land has arisen a spirit of national devotion that can never be emulated in countries where saluting the flag is nothing more than complying with the law. Under such a system the flag salute becomes very much like keeping on the right side of the road or observing the parking limit. We prefer to think of patriotism as something deeper than such compulsory obedience of law. It is much more glorious when it appears as a voluntary and sincere conviction of allegiance.—Asbury Park (N. J.) Evening Press.
Too Much Federal Legislation
◆ No one knows now whether our Government will endure. There come times when the ledger must be balanced. This is the hour in which the American people must answer as to their capacity for self-government.
I like to look to Virginia, where, a decade before the Constitution of the United States, Virginia had her bill of rights. The time has come when you young citizens must demonstrate that you are worthy of your ancestry.
Listen to me. Do you think that I have come down here just to make a speech? I tell you I was never more serious in my life. We live in an hour when we must decide whether we will wear the yoke of a dictator or stand as free men on Virginia soil. I have seen too many States bargaining away their privilege of government at Washington. There is entirely too much Federal legislation today.—Representative Hatton W. Sumners, of Texas, in an address at Richmond.
The New Religion
The United States will continue to sell munitions to its prospective enemies; it will build battleships with impenetrable armor and manufacture projectiles that will pierce that armor; it will launch warships to be destroyed by bombing planes and construct anti-aircraft guns to destroy those bombers; it will manufacture poison gas, and gas masks to protect against it; it will denounce imperialism but refuse to abandon its special privileges; its neutrality will be fickle; it will sacrifice a thousand lives to avenge one, and spend billions of dollars to save thousands.
The time approaches when every other pursuit will be subordinate to warfare. Infants will be supplied with gas masks and toy soldiers; schools and colleges will instruct the young in gunnery, ballistics, ordnance, flame-throwing, machine gunnery and bayonet thrusting; American citizens will be conscripted and trained to accept the dictum of Hitler and Mussolini that the chief aim of youth in life is to fight. The glory of war will become our national religion.—The Arbitrator.
No Election in 1940 (?)
♦ Because Farleyites are building politics with the exploitation of misery, there will be no presidential election in 1940. I don’t know that a dictatorship would not be preferable to the tyranny of Farley and his satellites.
But building a political machine through exploiting the unfortunate situation of the unemployed will eventually break down our political system.
From what I have seen enacted on the political stage, I cannot help agreeing with reports that the president has a Napoleonic complex, and is not eager to abdicate the throne in 1940.—Brigadier General Pelham D. Glassford, U.S.A., police chief in Washington, D.C., at time of the Bonus march.
Law and Love
♦ C’mon, let’s pass a law providing so many days in jail and a fine of so-and-so much for people unwilling to celebrate Constitution day.
Pshaw, what are you giving us!
Well, haven’t we already hosegowed children for not saluting the flag?
Anyhow, love of country enforced by law is rape.—American Guardian.
Three of the Modern Religions
♦ In Germany, January 30, 1938, the school children were required to kneel in worship and to chant the following:
‘We do not want rest. We loathe quiet. Waiting is death. He who is unfaithful and leaves the flag of Der Fuehrer shall lose honor forever. Unfaithful, be accursed! Fuehrer, we salute thee!’
The prayer which every Italian school child is taught to offer at his midday meal is addressed to another murderer and says:
‘Il Duce, I thank you for what you give me to make me grow healthy and strong. O Lord God protect Il Duce so that he may be long preserved to Fascist Italy.’
The Russian expression of faith is not a prayer exactly, like the prayers addressed to Hitler and Mussolini, but has the same intent. It goes thus:
‘If your father or your mother is not loyal to The Cause, report them to Stalin, so that they may be shot.’
The Fascist League
♦ European papers pay considerable attention to the likelihood that a definitely Fascist league of nations will be formed with headquarters at either Rome or Berlin. If such a league is formed, the logical headquarters of it would be Vatican City, which is the actual center in the earth of Fascism, no matter what may be the form in which the same is expressed. The fact that Moors, Japanese, Aryan pagans and other non-Christians would be in the league would mean nothing at all to the managers of the racket. All would be brothers in one “holy cause”, that of grinding the faces of the poor and extorting from them the last nickel obtainable, by fair means or foul, to keep themselves in the saddle.
Variety in Human Life
♦ We recognize, welcome and prize the distinctive differences in personalities, and likewise in communities, nations and races, realizing that it is these essential unlikenesses that lend the richness of variety to human life. Fascism represents the reverse of these principles. . . . Indeed, it is quite likely to appropriate the term “Americanism”, introducing itself with patriotic fanfares as a cloak for decidedly un-American violations of civil liberties, and particularly for either subtle or overt attacks upon minority races and political groups.—American Ethical Union, Public Affairs Committee Resolution.
League of Nations
The League Dances
THE last assembly of the League of Nations was presided over by the Indian delegate, the Aga Khan, reputed to be the world’s richest man. This potentate did his best to give some life to the conference. But vain effort. Even the presence of this man, whose fortune is reckoned in millions, was not sufficient to dispel the uneasiness which hung over the palace.
“Commence your proceedings, gentlemen,” said he to the delegates. But none was able to deliver his farcical speech with the customary ease. The envoys from Spain and China were the only ones among all those present whose voices raised an echo. The first had rather a large audience. His observations, however, disturbed his colleagues to such an extent that, for fear of hearing the representative of man reveal even more disturbing truths, they preferred to retire to their luxurious hotels so as to stifle their consciences in the pleasure resorts of Geneva. With broken heart the unhappy Chinese delegate spoke before almost empty benches.
The Spanish representative in his concluding remarks had said: “Open your eyes, gentlemen. It is no longer merely a question of the fate of my country. The future of Europe is being decided on Spanish soil.” But there was no sign of reaction on the part of his audience.
Then the delegate from China also dwelt on the peril which threatens humanity in the Far East, but his few auditors were no longer paying attention. Already in other halls preparations were being made to brighten up this mournful assembly. The Aga Khan, in his capacity as president of the illustrious company, wished to carry out an act of brilliance that would be worthy of figuring prominently in the annals of the institution of Geneva. He therefore organized at the Palace of the League a banquet for two thousand guests, of whom sixty were ministers on active service.
The Association of the Friends of the League of Nations protested energetically against this mad enterprise, but the Aga Khan would not give way. He even refused to accede to the wish of the delegates from Spain and China, who requested him to at least abandon the idea of the ball, because of the miseries of their countries. In case the dancing were vetoed, he would immediately order the banquet from one of Geneva’s wealthiest hotels.
It is understood that such a festivity is a windfall for the coffers of the League. So, as the secretary took good care not to forego it, what was the use of protestation?
The most famous chefs from Paris came to feverishly prepare this banquet under the direction of the millionaire Hindu’s “chef de cuisine”. After the guests had partaken of the choicest dishes, all kinds of delicate and expensive dessert were served, and two thousand bottles of champagne were opened.
The electric lusters were draped in gold, thousands of yards of green silk adorned the walls, fifteen thousand roses and as many carnations decorated the halls and the tables, and on the inlaid floors were spread the most magnificent carpets.
Fourteen of the finest European orchestras played joyous music without cessation; and forgotten were the cries of distress of the Spanish and Chinese populations, bombarded by the “civilizing” forces of their enemies.
The revelers gave themselves up to dancing and carousing until morning. Fifteen doctors and forty nurses were on the spot to look after those who were overcome by the orgy. Oh, they were magnificent, those representatives to whom the poor people had entrusted their fate! and incidentally the orgy cost the Aga Khan half a million Swiss francs.
This banquet reminds us of the old-time feast which Belshazzar, king of Babylon, gave to the thousand lords of his kingdom. After well partaking of wine, and in order to reproach the God of the Hebrews, the monarch commanded that the vessels of gold and silver, which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, should be brought forward so that his lords, his wives and his concubines might drink therefrom.
And while they were drinking, mysterious humanlike fingers wrote on the white wall of the royal palace the words, “Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin.” Seeing this, the Sacred Narrative says, “the king’s countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another.”
Daniel, the prophet of God, explained to the shaken king that the words meant “Num-” breed, weighed and divided", saying, "God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. . . . Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. . . . Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians." In that same night was Belshazzar slain, and Darius the Mede took the kingdom.
The same judgment has been pronounced against the League of Nations. Although its acts are an abomination to the Lord, this worldly organization has been described as "the political expression of God’s kingdom on earth". Soon it will perish in the battle of Armageddon, together with all the Devil’s institutions, after which Christ will establish, according to the Divine method, the true league of nations, making one country of all the earth. And then will be banished for ever wars, profiteers, misery, tyrants, kings, ministers, Aga Khans, and every authority but that of Christ Jesus, earth’s rightful Ruler.—Translated from the French edition of Consolation.
The League God’s Kingdom?
◆ In January, 1919, shortly before the League of Nations scheme was brought to completion, the Federal Council of Churches of Christ in America boldly sponsored it as "the political expression of God’s kingdom on earth". In view of the foregoing article, "The League Dances", the significance of this eager approval of a league of selfish nations is readily seen. Some who were not connected with the Federal Council of Churches could see the thing in its true light, and said, “It is true that the darker forces of the world triumphed at Paris when the unjust treaty of peace was written.”
But the professed Christian church said, officially:
The time has come to organize the world for truth, right, justice and humanity. To this end as Christians we urge the establishment of a League of Free Nations at the coming Peace Conference. Such a league is not merely a peace expedient; it is rather the political expression of the kingdom of God on earth. The League of Nations is rooted in the gospel; like the gospel, its objective is “Peace on earth, good will toward men.” Like the gospel, its appeal is universal.
The heroic dead will have died in vain unless out of victory shall come a new heaven and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. — 2 Peter 3:13.
The church can give a spirit of goodwill, without which no League of Nations can endure.
In this manner the unfaithful churches looked to scheming politicians and diplomats to establish the world in righteousness, and hoped to see the fruit of righteousness spring from a carnage such as the world had never before witnessed!
And the Roman Hierarchy wanted a seat in the League.
Some of the League Withdrawals
◆ Some of the League of Nations withdrawals are Germany, Austria, Japan, Brazil, Paraguay, and the five Central American nations, Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, Salvador and Nicaragua. Oddly enough, Guatemala, Salvador and Honduras are as thick with Japan and Germany as peas in a pod; and one can readily catch the impression that the lot of them think what a great excitement it would make in the world if they should decide to try to take over the Panama canal. And it would, too.
Lloyd George Pans the League
◆ This is the fundamental fact, that the body that was set up with common consent, including Germany, Italy and Japan, for the purpose of insuring peace in the world, has been cast aside. This great body has been stricken with palsy, its right side paralyzed, its right arm withered, its voice feeble, indistinct, gibbering, lying huddled on its couch in its great palace at Geneva, no longer consulted, no longer even alluded to.—Lloyd George, at a speech in Westminster.
Mussolini’s Projected League
◆ With Germany, Austria, Italy, Japan, Brazil, Costa Rica, Paraguay, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras and Salvador out of the League of Nations, and all of them either openly Fascist or inclined that way, it is quite apparent that another League of Nations is under way. Ethiopia is still in the League of Nations though itself no longer has any existence. Uncle Sam never got in.
“Greatest Thing Since Pentecost”
◆ Despite its manifest failure “Reverend” J. Bruce Hunter, B.D., D.D., LL.D., of Montreal, Canada, in an address at London, Ontario, declared that the League of Nations is—
the visible spirit of Jesus Christ, expressing his will concerning nations and peoples; the greatest thing which has come into the world since Pentecost.
Rules of Machiavelli,
Italian Statesman (1469-1527)
“1. Look out for your own interests”: Machiavelli was morally blind. He failed to see the world as a unit. Might was right; therefore, the strong must always assert their strength and make laws for their own protection against the weak.
“2. Honor nobody but yourself”: Advance the interests of others so long as you can make good use of them! But the moment they threaten to become popular, kill them! for an ambitious man can afford to have no rivals. All the rest must be slaves.
“3. Do evil, but pretend to do good”: He sincerely believed in the value of insincerity. He frankly advised statesmen never to be frank. In order to preserve his power, and plunder, it is often necessary for a diplomat to act in opposition to justice, charity, and good faith. Yet his subjects must not be aware of this. In other words, a successful ruler should make his subjects believe he is protecting them at the very moment he is crushing them.
“4. Covet, and get, whatever you can”: Have no regard for the rights of others; plunder all you can, and silence those who make complaints. Rob the weak but be aware of the strong; and at all times try to appear liberal.
“5. Be miserly”: Machiavelli advises his protégés to save their own money and to spend the money of the people.
“6. Be brutal”: Only a brute, he writes, can succeed in ruling his people. Goodness never pays. A prince should stifle the man in him and develop the beast.
“7. Cheat whenever you get the chance”: He advises his prince to cultivate the ferociousness of the lion and the cunning of the fox. Force is greater than justice, and fraud more powerful than truth. Do not bother about keeping your promises, for nobody does, and most men are stupid, and the world is always ready to be deceived.
“8. Kill your enemies, and, if necessary, your friends,” in order to attain your goal. Murder is but a means to an end, and the betrayal of a friend an accepted rule.
“9. Use force rather than kindness, in dealing with others”: It is better to be feared than to be loved. When you have seized a state, or robbed a man, you must inflict all your injuries at once, so that they will soon be forgotten. If you must confer benefits, confer them little by little, so that they will be long remembered, but try to avoid conferring them altogether.
“10. Think of nothing but war”: War is to be the chief business of the superbrute. “For war is the sole art looked for in one who rules.” In time of peace he should prepare himself for war.—By a prominent educator.
Italy
A “Comic Election”
◆ A man in Italy who does not wish his identity revealed discloses in The Spectator that in his part of the country a lad was thrown into jail for calling a Mussolini election a “comic election”. A hotel proprietor, who set a good table, failed because his guests who were Fascist officials did not pay their bills. He is now a waiter and his family is in straits. The new owners of a textile mill were about to open with a skeleton staff when they were given a list of 20 inexperienced persons for whom they must find jobs; they did, and failed. A farmer had his farm taken away under pretext that he was not working it to the best advantage. Another hotel proprietor was ordered to have an orchestra; he did, and went broke. America is on the way.
Trying to Sell Himself
◆ All dictators constantly try to sell themselves to the people over whom they temporarily hold control; they want to keep their jobs as long as possible. This is true of Stalin, Hitler, Franco, Mussolini and others that are either dictators now or are denying that they aspire to be dictators, which is always a necessary step just before the actual seizure of power takes place. Mussolini is one of the biggest of these big windbags. He recently had much to say of Italy’s 9,000,000 soldiers, powerful submarine fleet, eight first-line battleships, reconnoitering and bombing planes, etc. The gentleman forgets something. He forgets the cool, determined, fearless, perfectly-trained man behind the gun. Mussolini is an ass with a loud voice.
Gasoline in Italy
◆ In Italy, in November, 1937, gasoline was selling at approximately 66c per gallon. This was after a 40-percent increase in the taxes heretofore laid upon it.
India
British Bombings in Waziristan
Within the past year the deaths from bombings in the British war against the Waziristans, northern India, have come to 700 dead and more than 350 seriously injured.
India is becoming increasingly difficult to police and to govern. The Roman Hierarchy recently staged one of its advertising campaigns in Madras. It claims that in a heathen land they had 70,000 Catholics in their procession, 1,000 of whom were ecclesiastics. On the way they marched under 15 triumphal arches. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the Congress leader, sent a message of greeting on behalf of the Indian National Congress, with which institution the British authorities in India are at present having much trouble. The Congress seems sure of but one thing, and that is, that it wants to make as much trouble for Britain as it can.
Did This Man Need More Religion?
A villager from the state of Sirmur, who crawled 300 miles on a pilgrimage to Hardwar, in fulfillment of a vow he had made in the event of the recovery of his two sons from typhoid, has just died. Both the sons, who accompanied him when he started last August, died on the way. They were just convalescent when they started, and the effort was too much for their frail health. The father, who had divided the journey into sixty stages of approximately five miles a day, completed it last October. On the return journey hands and knees became swollen and eventually gangrenous. The infection had gone too far, and he died on the roadside.—London Times.
One Less Lawless Policeman
There is one less lawless policeman in India. Engaged in the ancient and more or less honorable occupation of torturing a prisoner, the prisoner killed him, and when the case came up in court the prisoner was exonerated. There is a chance here for Pennsylvania state police to learn something. In the case in India the prisoner, a watchman named Kiroo, had been beaten and tortured in public in the military lines for six hours by an Indian police constable. He seized the weapon by which he was being beaten and killed his tormentor.
Conditions in Cawnpore
◆ Choose any slum for investigation, the conditions differ but little; a number of huts in various stages of dilapidation, some under the street level and some above it, with no plan or thought for drainage or sanitation. The commonest type of hut is ten feet by eight, with perhaps no window, and the doorway so low and small that one has to bend in order to enter. Into this four to eight people are squeezed, with a goat or a half-starved cow on the tiny veranda. No wonder it is recorded in the municipal report that infant mortality in working-class areas often exceeds 400 per 1,000 births and tuberculosis is rapidly on the increase. But it seems to make little impression on those responsible for the administration of the city.
It is the poor worker who deserves one’s unqualified sympathy and support. Yesterday I found at the gates of a big mill stalwart Kabuli money-lenders with “lathis” (big sticks) waiting for their victims as they came out with their wages. The ordinary rate of interest is 150 percent, and no worker will dare to evade the moneylender. It is a common feature, it seems, in all Cawnpore mills, though the Government of India has passed a series of measures within the last two years to protect the indebted worker from being thus harassed.
The employers complain about the low efficiency of the worker. The wonder is that he can work at all under these terrible conditions, with no provision for leave or sickness. Day and night the machines hum and the employers make enormous dividends; but for the worker there is no escape.—Manchester Guardian.
India Well Traversed by Airways
◆ India is now well traversed by airways running in every direction between the principal cities, and in addition is crossed by the Dutch, French and British lines to Java, Australia and Indo-China, which touch here and there en route.
Humiliations of the Untouchables
◆ In some parts of India the poor Untouchables may not own even a dog. If the shadow of an Untouchable falls over the food of a high-caste Hindu the food is thrown away. In many places fellow Hindus may not even talk to them from a distance.
Kingdom Privileges in Near East
(Continued from No. 497, page 14)
◆ This Syrian priest further told me that he was going to free himself from the yoke of that devilish organization. That surely did my heart good. Even though our feeble efforts sometimes do not seem to do much good, as long as we are faithful and obedient and perform our duties Jehovah will give the increase.
It seemed every time I turned I saw the streets [of Palestine] filled with nuns, priests and other Catholics. They seemed to be everywhere.
I had previously brought two pioneers with me from Beirut to Palestine. The two pioneers and I took fourteen cartons of books and went to work. We covered the cities of Haifa, Jaffa, Nazareth, Tiberias, Ramallah, Jerusalem and Tarshiha. We surely were blessed in our efforts and left a large number of books and booklets and found many people who were eager to hear the message.
By the way, the Armenian priest whom I had met the year before and with whom I had placed some literature had been inquiring about me at the home of a German witness who was formerly a pioneer, so I made it my business to call on him. He told me how happy he was to have the truth, and that when he took the book Riches he kept it in the slip cover of his pillow. One of the nuns discovered it one day and reported it to the archbishop. Of course, the priest was put on the carpet and warned to burn the book or be kicked out. So he requested his back pay and told the archbishop that he would rather lose his job than give up the book. In fact, he took off his garments and threw them into the face of the archbishop, stating that he was glad he was at last dressed like a man and free from bondage.
Then I proceeded to Bethlehem, and on my way I had to pass a large Latin monastery and I was instructed to detour, and I saw a large body of soldiers. After returning from Bethlehem I went to the radio station at Jerusalem and endeavored to buy time so that we could put on a program. Mr. Frey, who was the manager, informed me that he was sorry he could not give me any time. I insisted on knowing the reason for his refusal to give me time, and he then opened up and told me that they had discovered several million rounds of ammunition and hundreds of thousands of rifles packed in piano boxes and stored at the monastery; and this accounted for the British soldiers that I had seen, as they had confiscated this large amount of arms and ammunition.
When another witness and myself worked the city of Tiberias we called on the Gentile homes and were able to leave Riches and six booklets in almost every home. We ran out of literature in two days. While I was in this city I ran across the metropolitan of the Greek Catholic Church and gave him the witness. He warned me not to try to tell him about the Kingdom, because he knew all about it. He became very indignant and put his hand in his pocket and handed me a $5 note. Naturally, I left the literature with him, gave him his change, and urged him to read the literature. This city is a beautiful place situated many hundreds of feet below sea level and it has the finest hot springs found anywhere. I could not help but remember that the Lord Jesus, together with His disciples, visited this famous city on many different occasions, and I thanked Jehovah for having the opportunity to walk over the same spot where Jesus was.
Then we went to the city of Ramallah, where, working two days with five other witnesses, we were able to place 140 books and 480 booklets and also placed one entire set of the [recorded lecture] series of “Religion and Christianity” and a set of “Exposed” as well, and one phonograph.
IN GREAT LEBANON
The Tripoli company has distributed the records I left with them. The pioneer witnesses over there have to cover their territory by foot—sometimes spending three to four hours going to and from their territory each day, which time, of course, they cannot apply on their reports. One pioneer witness carried the publications on his back and witnessed in towns and villages. He did not have any money, but wherever he went the people were glad to give him food and lodging, as well as take literature and make some contribution.
Owing to the terrible economic conditions in that country, the Syrian pound has dropped to less than 70c in American money. In other words, today the piaster is worth less than one-half cent, and it is ordinarily worth five cents or more. Since the Syrian pound is backed by the French franc and the franc today is worth less than two and three-fourths cents in American money, it is very difficult for the witnesses to return sufficient money to cover the cost of the publications.
It is now my pleasure to give you some of my experiences with the sound car. The people in these countries, of course, have never seen a car equipped with broadcasting facilities. The first town we visited was called Enfe and which has a population of about 5,000.
Transcription lecture, Copenhagen, Denmark
It is situated on the sea coast. There are five witnesses in this town who are really charged with the zeal of Jehovah.
We parked the car in a cemetery which overlooks the town proper, and started the program with a musical number: “Hear Me, O People!” We then put on the series of “Religion and Christianity”. The entire population of the town was so surprised they thought that Gabriel had blown the last trumpet. They tried to trace the voice, and when they found it was coming from the cemetery they were really convinced that the resurrection had begun. They were afraid to come to the cemetery at first, but when thousands of people began to gather some got the courage to come a little nearer and we were able to place a large number of books and booklets with them and they invited us to come again.
Every day we had experiences of a similar nature. We took town after town by surprise. The people were eager to hear the message, and in some instances we were forced to put on the records again and again. We made on an average five or six towns a day and our little group of workers called at the homes of the people, placing a large amount of literature.
At one place called Kishba, Alkora, we covered this town with about twenty workers and the sound equipment. It is situated on an elevation of almost six thousand feet above sea level, overlooking the most fertile soil on earth and the largest olive groves found anywhere. We started to blast with the sound equipment, using the “Exposed” lectures and finishing with reading out of the Armageddon booklet. The entire town came out and we placed an enormous amount of literature, the people showing keen interest in the message. The following night a tornado struck that entire district, uprooting hundreds of olive trees, destroying homes and killing many farmers and beasts. Satan at all times tries to bring injury and harm to honest people, so they can be made to reproach and blaspheme Jehovah’s name. Truly, the people thought Armageddon had come when they began to count the damage the next day. Two weeks later we visited the town again and the people were troubled and fearful. We put on the lecture “Peace Messengers” and comforted them.
We covered the entire district of Alkora and practically all of Lebanon with the sound equipment. The people received the message gladly. They are greatly perplexed and the conditions are terrible. The people are very much dissatisfied with the governments, and especially with the yoke which has been placed upon them by their religious leaders. In Syria and Lebanon the two main branches of the Devil religion are the Roman Catholic and Mohammedan. I was surprised to learn, after visiting scores of Mohammedan towns with nothing but Mohammedan population, how the entire community came out as one man, showing interest in the message. Many were glad to contribute for the literature even though they were poor.
Five workers, including myself, visited a town north of Tripoli called Minna. It has a population of about eight thousand people. We started with the lecture “Exposed”, and when we had the second record on the priest came running down with a staff in his hand and looking as though ready to kill someone. He stood before the loud-speaker and shouted: “Stop, I tell you!” The witness who was operating the equipment turned on more juice when he saw what the priest was doing, and drowned out his voice; but this made him more angry than ever. Not being satisfied with trying to pick a fight with us, calling us everything he could think of, he turned to the people and started cursing them and told them if they were intelligent they would not listen to us and that they were Christians and not Mohammedans and that we ought to go to the Mohammedans with our message.
The people tried to reason with him, but he would not listen. He came and ordered me to stop and I took the microphone and asked the people if they wanted to hear the remainder of the program and, if so, to signify by raising their right hand. Hundreds of people responded and ordered the priest to leave, and when he refused they carried him away and were ready to dump him into the river. A half hour later he returned and the people again ordered him to leave.
When we finished with the “Exposed” lectures they asked us if we had anything else, and we gave them the entire series of “Religion and Christianity” and placed many pieces of literature with them. On our way out this priest had gotten some of his henchmen and they lay in wait for us, hardly leaving room for the automobile to pass through. Some were armed with hatchets, some with axes, some with clubs and some with guns. They stood with their arms upraised ready to strike us, but Jehovah withstood them and it seemed they could not move their arms. We passed through unharmed and very thankful for the loving protection that Jehovah had given us.
The entire four months were spent with the sound equipment, working around fourteen hours a day, and in some instances we did not get through with the lectures until eight or ten o’clock at night.
In one town where the archbishop lives in his palace we put on the lectures. He was walking in his garden in his lace petticoat, and when he heard the message he thought it was a voice from heaven and he rushed to the house and started running from one room to another. The people said he had told them he surely thought Armageddon was near, and he ordered several gendarmes to come and stop us. However, when they came, we gave them the testimony and instead of harming us they went back with some of the literature.
—Joseph E. Rahal, Ohio.
A WBBR Fan’s Soliloquy
◆ “You know, there is a radio station in Brooklyn that broadcasts the most unusual stuff. At six-thirty practically every morning of the week I tune to 1300 kilocycles for MORNING WORSHIP. Why do I want to listen to a radio that early in the morning? Well—er—that is, a man has to wake up sometime! So I listen to MORNING WORSHIP. Music is rather nice—organ and sometimes singing. I don’t sing. Anyway, not like that. But this is what I meant to tell you. A man reads ‘the morning text’; some verse from the Bible on the most unusual matter—like Philistines and stuff. And on my word, he doesn’t sound like a preacher at all! Then he gives an explanation; what you never, never heard! ‘Modern-day Philistines, the Roman Catholic Hierarchy, are certain to be completely wiped out at Armageddon. With the destruction of religion God will cleanse the earth of the greatest racket ever to afflict mankind . . .’ I tell you it’s the strangest thing you ever heard! The worst of it is, it rings so true I find myself listening to it every chance I have. It’s the strangest stuff!”
Reverend Harris Made a Mistake
◆ Reverend Harris, St. Andrews Church, Garshalton, England, has no doubt been making mistakes all his life, but one of his biggest ones was made when he warned his congregation against Jehovah’s witnesses. With that, 105 publishers entered his bailiwick, called on all the people the vicar could reach, and more, too, brought the vicar’s remarks to the attention of the people, told the people to listen to records explaining the truth, which they did, and incidentally left more than 3,000 pieces of literature behind. The vicar was called on, too (a copy of Care and Consolation having been mailed to him in advance). He seemed heated, and, after saying he did not wish to hear, slammed the door. Ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay!
New York
President Isaacs Was Right
◆ When Stanley M. Isaacs, borough president of Manhattan, was invited to address 1,750 members of the Jewish Teachers Association, he accepted the invitation and told the teachers he could see no reason for the existence of their organization. And he was right. Public-school teachers should not make their religion a test for themselves, their pupils, the public or anybody else. Let them keep the rabbis, the priests, the popes and the clergy out of it and attend to their own business, which is teaching the children the mundane things a child needs to know. If their parents want the children taught religion, let it be taught to them elsewhere, at the parents’ expense.
Score One for Doctor Godfrey
◆ Score one for Dr. Edward S. Godfrey, Jr., New York state commissioner of health. Having learned something about serums, and seen for himself that their use, to say the very least, has not been an unmixed blessing to humanity, he advises his fellow physicians against rushing pell-mell into the use of the new rabbit serums in the treatment of pneumonia “until careful tests [on the unsuspecting public] have proved their value, safety and limitations”. It should be added that the new rabbit serum was tried out last year on 15,000 CCC “volunteers”.
New York Legislative Service
◆ Lawyers and others find interest in the unique enterprise established by about fifteen college boys somewhere in New York city, of telling customers what particular knavery is back of any legislation pending at Albany. The service is said to be nonpartisan and plays no favorites. It seems like a fine outlet for honest and energetic young men who wish to learn something and do something for the benefit of their fellow men.
Saved by an Hour
◆ Nine families were saved from 75-year-old tenements on Avenue C, New York city, only an hour before they collapsed and fell in ruins. The tenants fled with their clothing, but were barred by the police from trying to save their furniture and other belongings. New York is two decades behind Britain in its rebuilding program.
Adult Authorities Needed
◆ If a man decides that his religion compels him to shoot every red-headed pedestrian on Fifth Avenue, there are enough laws to prevent him from carrying out his determination. No religious conviction can be allowed expression when its expression involves harm to others. But where the issue is so highly theoretical as in the flag case, the authorities should be a little more tolerant and a little more adult. It is insistence on such formal patriotism as this that brings patriotism itself into mockery and breeds patrioteers instead of patriots. We are saddened to see that the New York State Department of Education is expelling Jehovah’s witnesses for non-saluting. A test case should be brought here. Expulsion is not the way to teach patriotism and love of country.—New York Post.
WPA Educating the Foreign-born
◆ The WPA is doing a good work in New York city and other places educating the foreign-born. Of New York city’s 264,000 illiterates, 242,000 are foreign-born. It was hoped in the first half of 1937 to have at least 25,000 of these in classes. Of the 12,223 in classes at last report, one student was 83 years of age. Some of the classes are held in homes where the parents cannot conveniently get out. In most instances instruction is welcome.
Good for New York!
◆ Good for New York! In New York city a German boy, a Nazi, accused of carrying a concealed weapon, was defended by a Jewish lawyer before an American war veteran, and found not guilty. The court decided that he had a right to carry his knife as a part of his uniform. The American on the bench got a big kick out of his share in upholding American law and American common sense under the unusual conditions presented.
Gradually Folding Up
◆ One of the first Episcopal churches in western New York, the St. James Episcopal church of Buffalo, folded up on April 17, 1938, after an existence of 84 years. The membership had dwindled until the survivors thought it not worth while to try to keep the old ship afloat. The pastor will now have to go to work for a living. Sad.
Bazaar Did Not Get the Diamond
◆ Harper’s Bazaar, calling attention to a special issue of their magazine, devised what they supposed were homing pigeons to 100 prospective advertisers in New York city. Each pigeon had an aluminum tube attached to its leg. The advertising was supposed to release the pigeon, which would then fly back to Harper’s, Marcus & Company, jewelers, were enthusiastic over this original advertising scheme. To show their appreciation they sent Harper’s a small unmounted diamond in the aluminum tube. It just so happened that that particular pigeon was not a homer; for it never showed up. Somewhere that pigeon, like some non-elect Presbyterian, is wandering through the skies not knowing where he will land, or what kind of reception he will get when he lands, or who will get the diamond.
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