Norwood High School - Tiot Yearbook (Norwood, MA)

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CLASS OF I937 I7 anese peasantry, and, for that matter, the Japanese worker, have become in- tolerable. Finally, there exists in Japan a military-naval clique whose influence is extremely great. They are restless men, whose ambitions are unlimited. It must not be forgotten that this power- ful section of the japanese leaders has a fanatical belief in the power and in- vulnerability of Japan. ln the last forty years they have fought three victorious wars, against China, then against Czar- ist Russiag and then against the Cier- mans at Tsingtao in 1915. That the China they defeated before the end of the last century was a mere shell, appears to escape them. That the Russia they defeated in Nlanchuria was utterly corrupt and inefficient, without adequate transportation facilities, and with comparatively small forces, does not enter their calculations. They for- get, too, that the small German colony at Tsingtao was very different from the Kaiser's armies which stormed through France in I9l4. Therefore, they have an incredible confidence in themselves, and it is this fact that makes the present situation so dangerous. It seems that war is almost inevitable in the near future-on one side, Japan, impelled by many motives, and, on the other, Russia, firmly determined to resist japanese aggressions. There is no further need of dwelling upon the dangers of war. These are evident, But what progress have the nations made towards peace? Through all the centuries of conflict, Europe and Asia have struggled against their tragic heritage of war. The struggle has not beeim without war. The arts and sciences, now Hourishing, now languishing, have survived. lmperishable contributions to the progress and enlightenment of man- kind have defied devastation. But the Qld World builds its temples in the intervals of peace, and rains destruction What hope may there be that Europe and Asia will not always turn from progress to killing? There is no hope. That hope is in America. It might almost seem that the Creator, despair- ing of the future of civilization in the hands of nations never far enough removed from war to know its futility, set apart another continent where men might learn to live in peace and security. Christianity, the greatest force of human happiness, appeared first in Asia and would have died there. Europe nourished the Christian inspiration, and preserved it for the guidance of future generations. But, Europe failed to free mankind forever, from the darkness of the feudal ages of which war is a relic, and thus failed its destiny. America is today what Europe might have been and may still be. America has become the greatest nation in the world, made so by the merging of races transplanted from a continent, Where it is the purpose of man to kill and be killed, to a land where men are content to live and let live, America is a new world, indeed-symbolical of new hope for the older nations of Europe. Europe must turn eventually from war for con- quest, war for revenge and war for the aggrandizement of relentless dic- tators. Europe must live as America is determined to live, free of hate, of jealousy and free of war! William Shyne '37

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I6 YEAR BOOK The new emphasis is all on the system of government. Before the nation was exalted into a symbol of fascism or communism, it would have made little difference to ltaly how or by whom Spain was ruled, and Russia would not have felt that her prestige was involved in the outcome of a civil war on the lberian peninsula. But today ltaly and Russia are some- thing more than nations. As repre- sentatives of rival systems, they are interested in the affairs of their neigh- bors in many capacities. This compli- cates international relations. No gov- ernment could make a move one way or another in the Spanish situation without implying a choice, not between Loyalists and the Rebels, but between communism and fascism. As symbols, they divide Europe into opposing camps, and these divisions cut through national lines, through alliances, and through geographical barriers. They foreshadow the war all nations dread most-the war without frontiers, not country against country, but front against front-civil war on an inter- national scale, without rules and with- out end. ls this long-feared war about to begin? Only time can give the answer. The danger of war in Europe is great, but the danger is far greater in another part of the world-the Far East. The latest clash between the forces of Man- choukuo and outer Mongolia has been of so serious a character as almost to convey the impression that the war has already begun. According to the Japanese, there were more than a hundred such clashes last year, and everything seems to indicate that they are increasing rather than diminishing in violence. Does this mean that war is imminent between lVlanchoukuo and Mongolia? Vast issues depend upon the answer to this question be- cause the world knows that Manchou- kuou means Japan, and now knows also that Outer Mongolia means Russia. ln the historic interview which Stalin gave Roy Howard, it was stated that the Soviet Union would regard ag- gression against Mongolia as a casus belli. It is clear, therefore, that if Japan really wants to attack Outer Mongolia, the result will be war with Russia. Does Japan want this war? ln an attempt to answer this question, one has to consider briefly the motives that impel a nation to so hazardous a step as war. First, one may put greed, the desire for new territory, or expansion as it is called. Does this motive animate Japan? The answer must be yes, be- cause in the last five years the Japanese have deliberately invaded North China, and have completed the seizure of all Chinese territory north of the Great Wall. A second powerful motive is internal unrest-the fear of a social disturbance which might be counteracted by the patriotic fervor which war produces. A singularly dangerous experiment this, but one that has been tried before and may well be tried again. A third factor which makes for war is pressure of population when living conditions become so difficult that an outlet is necessary, ln japan all these factors are evident. As a result of a greatly-increase popula- tion, the living conditions of the Jap-

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I8 0 THE WOODS IN SPRING YEAR BOOK There is no end of happiness in spring, When in the woods the robins sing all day, Their melodies are sweet and not less gay Than are the songs the fairy-creatures sing ln deep, dark woods at night. A golden ring Of daffodils shows where the fairies play ln silvery moonlight, near the trees that sway, And o'er the wood their inky shadows Fling. And yet, not only when the sun and moon Shine on the wood, do peace and beauty reign. But also when the wood is pierced by showers Which often leave-on stopping far too soon- A rainbow in the sky, and near the lane, A richer host of fresher trees and Howers. Joseph Pazniokas '37 0 FOG The Reverend Lyman Smith walked moodily, with head down, along the glistening, deserted street. A wet fog and the night obscured his vision, but just ahead he could dimly see the rails on the bridge over the muddy East River. The Reverend Lyman Smith had a destination. He was not out at that hour for the exercise, because, if he had been, he would not have allowed his step to drag as he approached the bridge. He would not have appeared so nervous as he peered through the fog behind him. It was almost as if he feared pursuit. A The sudden detection of a man hug- ging the shadows close to the railing startled him. l-le stared at the man's back for a long minute, and then under- stood. The suicide statistics on the bridge were rather high. The good clergyman placed a hand on the stran- ger's shoulder and turned him about, Young man, said the Reverend Smith, as he looked kindly into the young face, ul understand. l see your thoughts very clearly. But you are Wrong. My advice to you is to go back and face it. Go back and fight it. Your back may be to the wall, but fight back while you still stand. You have no right to destroy yourself. What happened to you was caused to come about by One who is greater than us all, by a Will that rules us all. You have no right to dispute that Will. Go back and face what you seek to escape from. Fight it. If you can, forget it. If it is a loss, make it good, Go back. Though we fail to see it, there is always a purpose in everything he does. The dull, tired eyes stared at him.