Hamden Hall Country Day School - Perennial Pine Yearbook (New Haven, CT)

Page 62 text:

A PLAN I-'OR PEACE Only recently I have grown conscious of the political distress by which Europe is being consumed. People don't notice it there so much, because they are more or less used to it. But if one comes right out of the focus of events and stands by watching what is happening, he is overcome by heartfelt pity. This is part of my own experience. Six months ago -I came to the United States from Germany under the United States Students' Ex- change Program. Since I have been here, this subject has concerned me greatly. This topic has been dealt with by many prominent people in Europe as well as on other con- tinents, but it is really a problem concerning each individual of Europe. The past has proved that history has been made only by winning wars or losing them, in Europe as well as all over the world. How wonderful would it be for countries to have ambition for peace policies which really would distinguish them in all history books! To change history towards peace would make mankind more conscious of its own value. Since the Old World is outstanding in making wars, I am very desirous of seeing a peaceful Europe by means of union. The objection may be made that this is very dillicult, if not impossible, because there are so many natural discrepancies. This refers to the people as well as to geographical locations. To see these differences balanced up is my greatest desire, so that there are no longer wars in Europe. If man only could see that his greatest enemy is war itself and not another human being, the basis of a united Europe would be founded. It has come to public attention that there live a certain number of tribes in central Africa which have not had a war as long as their ancestors can tell. How is it? In those tribes the custom is still extant to sacrifice the chief before going into battle in order to glorify the god of war. For the sake of peace it might seem wise to adopt this custom in the northern hemisphere, too. But there is another way of developing a peace project. We, the people living in the twentieth century, claim to have civilization: let's prove that there can be peace without fearing to receive death when peace is broken. I would like the project started for a United States of Europe. For this purpose state authorities of all European countries ought to meet in Switzer- land, because this country is commonly reputed a neutral and trustworthy nation, and already three different languages are present. The U. S. E. must be established on the basis of compromise, and each country must be willing to make concessions, otherwise the entire project would collapse in the very beginning. A decision based on inter-European fifty-eigbl

Page 61 text:

of the freezing water, and continued through the cave, partly in, under, and out of the water, sometimes carrying our candles in our teeth, as we hung onto ledges with both hands. At last we arrived at the chimney, the only exit to the cave other than where we had entered. This vertical hole, the sides of which consist of rough lava, is a most disagreeable place to bare and goose pimply skin. We slid and fell in the dark, waving our feet about in mere air at times, until we reached the bottom, a room rather too small to hold five people. Through the water below us, we could see daylight, and diving down, swimming along for perhaps ten feet and then up, we arrived at the outside world, glad to be warm again, but not a little sorry to leave the cave behind. After body surfing at Hana beach, in the biggest waves I have ever seen, we were quite ready for dinner, and had japanese beef hekks at Clarence's Restaurant, the only one in town. The next day we also spent swimming, this time in a waterfall pool, which was swollen with recent rains. When we called Clarence to order dinner, we found that he had closed up and gone to the ball game. No Sunday dinner for us! The three hours home were driven in two, as we barely escaped falling over cliffs in our mad dash for home. The ice-box received first consideration as we arrived at 4: 30. Last week the japanese held a bon dance in the moonlight. The dancers wore kimonos, and danced around a platform covered with lanterns and flags. They were fascinating, with their beautiful, many-colored kimonos, and graceful motions. A We have also been to Luana, my grandmothers mountain houseg to Haleakala craterg to Makena beach, where the sharks play. We are learning the hula, my sister and I, playing ukuleles, and learning to like poi and lomi-lomi salmon. I hope you are enjoying this summer as much as I am. Aloha, Lois Hall Form VI Deep silence lay around me, As I stood in the breaking light. Dew laden grass, the Howers, And trees were unmoving, mute- And yet they spoke. They spoke Of God's great handiwork, Of Peace and joy- All undisturbed By any mortal thought or word. And then a bird awoke And burst the silence With a song. Sally Corbett Form IV ffty-Jeven

Page 63 text:

popular vote must be put through, whether Europe wants to be governed by an inter- European government or not. Desire of uniform currency and military force must be de- termined in the same way. If these decisions have been successful, the structure of the new government can be outlined. The convention of representatives of each nation ought to write up the conditions under which the U. S. E. is to be formed and present it to popular vote. Wisdom ought to be applied and divine guidance sought in writing up the basic statements for the new government that directs both big and small countries justly and in accordance with the unwritten laws of humanity. This government ought to be superior to a government of each individual state, in order to have compensation in the different conditions to which each country is subject. In this way the state governments can adjust, perhaps by amendments, the laws of the U. S. E. to their own sense of justice. The United States of America, I think, gives a very good example and pattern for doing this in a wise way. The division of power has proved in history to be the best foundation for a demo- cratic form of government, and many countries have made this system their own. It seems to me as if this is the most capable style of governing a united Europe in a democratic way. To make Europe an absolute democracy would be too circumstantial, causing too many diificulties in administration, but a republic, I think, would be effective. The executive power ought to be in the hands of a head of each individual state, so each one has an authority of its own while at the same time being a member of the U. S. E. government. Legislature must be formed by an inter-European committee consisting of equal- numbered representation from each state. In order to avoid one-sidedness in making decisions, I would recognize representation of political parties, this is one point where several nations meet, so the national discrepancies are not so big. judicial power must consist of an inter-European court, too. One judge from each state with one or two assistants would decide and watch over laws and any state affairs whether they are in accord with the government plan when brought to the attention of the court. What we can do for this future project is to break down the limitations of nation- alities and make friends with the young folks of other countries. Only in that way prejudice can be abolished. I.et's prove that we have learned something from past history. For centuries people have been the tools of imperialists, never deciding themselves what is going to happen with them. Everybody has his own mind to think for himself, which can be applied to a government that expresses his thoughts. Nationalistic pride will be abolished as soon as the desire for a United States of Europe is forwarded by the people living on that con- tinent. Then they may reach hands across the boundaries and devote their hearts to a UNITED STATES OF EUROPE. Helmuth Krause Form VI fifty-nine