Humboldt High School - Life Yearbook (St Paul, MN)

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HUMBOLDT LIFE War or Peace BY MARY LOUISE JOHNSON Place: The Hague. Time: Present Day. fEnter the World.j World: It has never been definitely decided whether we shall have World Peace or World War. Today is the time to decide that question. I, the World, shall be the judge, and after I have listened to both sides of the ques- tion, I shall give my decision and my reason for deciding the way I do. CGoes up on the small platform in the center of the room and sits down on the thronej World: World War, where are you and your followers? War, do you hear me? War: Yes, World, I do. I am coming. CNoise is heard outsidej World: World Peace, are you near and ready to debate this question with War? Peace: QWith a sweet and musical voice.j Yes, I'm coming, but may I bring all my fellowmen? World: Yes, yes, bring them all. We must have every one here to give his side of the question. CEnter War with Nationalism, Imperialism, Militarism, Famine, Fire, Plague, Death, Misery, Heartache, Heroism, Greed, and High Taxes.j World: Well, well who are all of these? War: These are my followers and fellowmen. This is Nationalism, one of the greatest feelings a nation can have. A nation cannot survive with- out it. A nation is not a success with- out it. Nationalism stands for war when other nations try to boss it. Speak, Nationalism, and tell the World why War is the best thing. CDuring this time Peace has been en- tering with his followers very quietly.j Peace: I have come with all my fol- Page Ten lowers, World. I brought with me the League of Nations, Internationalism, Progress in Literature, Education, Me- chanics, Arts, Music, and Political and Charity Organizations, also Happiness, Unity of Families, and last the World Court. War: Come, come, it's Nationalism's turn to speak, not Peace's turn. Pick out your best man to answer him, Peace. He will have to be the best to refute my statements. Nationalism: Nationalism means de- votion to national interests, or national unity and independence. Every one loves his own country the best. If any other nation tramples on the rights of another, the people of the oppressed nation are always ready to fight for their country. No matter where you go, you will always find Nationalism. What is better than a great love for your coun- try? If your country calls on you to give your life, what more can you do? War is the best way to settle quarrels because it gives the people a chance to show how much they love their coun- try. Internationalism: No, no National- ism, you are wrong. What good is it to kill thousands of people only to have the sharpest of wit, the most cunning, and the strongest win out whether they are right or not. Isn't it much better to have a peaceful meeting of some of the wisest men of the nation? I am Internationalism: I stand for peace and friendship between all the nations of the world. Imperialism: I stand for war be- cause that is the only way of extending the control of a nation. A nation should be large, powerful, with vast colonies to rank among the Hrst nations of the world. Isn't that the aim of every nation? Now that there is no

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HUMBOLDT LIFE Mr. Billing then reads a sentence which may run like this: I wish I could run like he. Patiently he explains the error and occasionally is thanked. I can't understand this problem. Will you help me? Then he becomes a teacher of mathe- matics and explains thoroughly a prob- lem whose solution is quite obvious. l'May I get my assignment from Margaret? I wasn't there when it was given. After a while Mr. Billing is obliged to extract that person from her friend's seat and escort her to her own hard wood throne. May we study our shorthand to- gether? Neither of us can get it. Very soon, loud whispering comes from the direction of the huddled shorthand students. After twenty min- utes the huddle breaks up disappears in the direction of the type room. The room is again tranquil as the dreamers go on dreaming, and the stu- dents go on studying. Is it any wonder that the caretaker of Room 200 is becoming gray? Is it any wonder? Our Neighbor Lady BY ANN KATZOVITZ Our neighbor lady, big and fat is she, She sits and talks to women all the day: Between her words, she sips a little tea With one old croney from across the way. The big, fat lady is a gossip strong, All of the slander of the town she knows: She drags a story out to hold you long, Of some young maiden and her many beaux. Our neighbor lady, who quite well can lie, Upon her chair and from her porch, can see Most of the people who are passing by And vows to slander those who from her flee. Oh, Neighbor Lady, with your stories many, Your endless scandal isn't worth one penny. Page Nine

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HUMBOLDT LIFE new land in the world that the nations can claim as colonies, there is bound to be war to see who will govern and re- ceive the profits from the backward countries. There will always be some nations which are stronger than others, and they will try to force their influence on the weaker nations: thus there will always be war. I, Imperialism, stand for war. League of Nations: I am an organ- ization which has been formed to help weaker nations, when they are op- pressed. The stronger nations will learn that Imperialism has passed away with the last generation. I, The League of Nations, will care for and protect the weak, and soon nations will not try to press their influence upon another coun- try. I solve your problem, Imperialism. Militarism: My problem will never be solved. I am Militarism. I stand for war, because war demands a large army and navy. No nation will ever come to the front ranks without these. No nation has come to rank first that hasnit had military virtues and ideas. Militarism and war go hand in hand. World Court: You, too, are fooled. I will settle all questions and arguments if the nations bring them to me. Many famous lawyers, politicians, and diplo- mats serve and have served on my benches. You will pass with Imperial- ism, when I receive the support of the world. World: War, have you any more followers to speak for you? War: Yes, Heroism. Heroism: Think, World, think of the wonderful chance to become a hero and to earn medals in a war. Man cannot show his real self until he is made to face a crisis and the guns of the front line trenches. Many men who claim to be brave are brave, until they have to go to war. That is the place where the true character of a man is shown. Peace: But the real men are the ones who can agree and who do their best to keep their country out of war. Men can prove their character better in times of peace than in times of war. World: War, have you any more to say? War: No, you have heard all my arguments and you have also heard Peace's weak little answers about what he is going to do. Ha Hal Make your decision quickly. Peace may become im- patient. World: You say you have nothing more to say? Then who are the rest of this company? ' War: Clsooking. at Fire, Famine, etc.j Those? Oh, they're nothing. Just forget them. Peace: No, World. You have called us together today to hear everybody's point of view. I pray you, World, hear from these also. War: See, Peace knows she is losing. Come, give your decision. World: No, we shall hear them all. We came together today to hear all. Speak, you-I do not know your names-and tell us what you think. Famine, Fire, etc.: We are feach one steps forward and gives his namej Famine, Fire, Plague, Death, Misery, Heartache. Greed. and High Taxes. CNationalism turns and points to them as they speak their namej, Imperialism and War cannot escape us. We are after him wherever he goes. He is ashamed of us and tries to keep us in the background so the World will for- get about us and just think of the glories of war. Progress in Science, etc.: They are the results of war. We are the re- sults of peace. Our names are Cstepping forwardj Progress in Science, Progress in Literature, Education, Mechanics. Arts, Music, Political and Charity Or- ganizations, Happiness, and Unity of Familiesj. The results of Peace are far more beneficial than those of war. World: At last we have heard from everybody. My decision is the follow- CContinued on Page 493 Page Eleven