St Ignatius High School - Ignatius Yearbook (Chicago, IL)

Page 32 text:

PEACE-TIME CUNSGRIPTIUN: A TIDO-IE OR POISON? by ED zvE1lNA, '46 Proposals for compulsory military con- scription have been much in the news lately, and have stimulated a good deal of caustic comment. Ironically enough it seems to me that everyone and his brother has voiced an opinion on this vital issue-everyone, that is, except those of us who would be the recipients of such training. So now I would like to get in my two cents' worth. If few are influenced by what I have to say, at least I will have the satisfaction of having gotten something off my chest. As I see it, a program of compulsory military training has all the earmarks of an attempt to perpetuate a system of power politics. As a student at St. Ignatius, I have read of the rise and fall of all the great military nations whose aim was to dominate the world. Only recently Germany, Italy. Russia, and France have maintained mighty military machines, but these have not pre- vented wars. Now I find Uncle Sam becom- ing the exemplar of power politics. It is a little disconcerting to me to hear talk about a World Organization for Peace and Security through Law, and then to find that I am to be regimented in the greatest military machine this country or the world has ever seen functioning in time of peace. To my mind Christian principles and the moral code must ever be the keystone of the arch through which the world must pass to universal peace. A system of compulsory training means that we are going to rely on our own power and strength to keep the peace. We have little confidence that other nations will live up to the moral code and keep their promises. It looks to me as if we have abandoned the idea that there is an almighty God, and that His laws are the standard not only for the individual, but also for all nations. Think of Our Lord's warning that the one who takes the sword will perish by it. Is not the fate of Italy and Germany a proof of that prophetic warning? Religious teachers insist that the greatest danger in a peace-time military program of the sort proposed is the moral harm that will result. At home under parental guidance and scholastic supervision we are better able to choose companions, while the army life presents little opportunity to cultivate friendships from which spiritual benefits will be derived. Certainly we will be less able to reject the companionship of less desirable buddies As I see it, the proposed system of com- pulsory military training is another one of those inroads on family life so prevalent in our modern times. It is an interruption in the normal procedure jarring us loose from natural home ties that is bound to have serious repercussions. I know that in time of war such sacrifices are essential, but I cannot overlook the effects of these abnor- mal conditions on generations to come. And yet there are those who would make these irregular conditions in times of emer- gency the normal procedure in time of peace. Our education has taught us that moral as well as physical and mental de- velopment is essential to a proper world order founded on Christian principles. As a senior at St. Ignatius I begin to discern that my training has emphasized man must first conquer his inner impulses to pride, envy, vengeance, and self-glory before he can find a way to compel respect for the collective will of human society. I do not think that compulsory military service in peace time would inculcate this philoso- phy of life and make for the well-rounded and well-balanced man.

Page 31 text:

be found. That man was now rising from his position in the murky waters of the rice paddy, clutching his pistol with deadly pur- pose. He found a side road, deserted at this late hour, and walked briskly. The action warmed his blood and quickened his mind. He was unaware of his wet clothing and his hunger as he reviewed his plan. Sud- dently, he stopped short. Why should not The Beast be shot? None could deny that he deserved death as no other mortal had ever deserved it. And yet, his unspeakable crimes could never be washed away-not even with his own blood. Shooting him would be an act of mercy, and he did not deserve mercy. No, he must endure the slow torture the Americans had felt. He must bear the ignominy of losing face be-fore the jeering crowds of men whom he had treated as animals. He must feel the heavy hand of Iustice strike him to the ground! His decision made, the Iap turned toward the camp of the Americans. In the light of the cold, gray dawn, he was ushered into the office of the commanding officer of the Occupation forces. The American looked up sharply from the pile of papers on his desk, annoyed at the intrusion of this wretch at such an ungodly hour. His lip curled as he saw bowing before him the cringing exemplar of con- quered Nippon. They crawled from their filthy holes to cower on their knees before those in power, begging for mercy. But in their hearts there was not sorrow, no wish to repay those upon whom they had inflicted such misery .... He did not allow himself to think any further. What do you want? he barked. The Iap rose slowly. Beads of perspiration stood out on his fat face, and he was very pale. With shaking hands he drew his pistol and presented it to the American. I am Colonel Os-ato, he who is known as 'The Beast.' I have come to surrender. 7-fre gffzon o Heart 9 IConfinued from page 182 on his mind. He began to heave double loads into the furnace and the steam gauge crept upward. Come on, kid he growled. Adrian gritted his teeth and began to take the loads on the run. 'By Z o'clock no one could have recognized him. His face was black. His over-alls were black. His body, stripped to the waist, was coated with a sweat-streaked dust. Pete glanced again at the gauge and frowned. Then for a moment he had a look of satisfaction as he saw Adrian hesitate at the foot of the ramp with terror in his eyes. Suddenly Pete realized the reason, when he heard a sharp whistle. Steam! A boiler break! A horrified look crossed his face as he clung frozen to the railing. A deathly scream of wrenching metal, as the boiler's side gave way, the whistle breaking into a roar of boiling water and bursting steam. A flying piece of the boiler cracked Pete's skull. Adrian stood grimly in the path of the steaming flood and flying metal and took the weight of Pete's falling body. Somehow he dragged both Pete and himself up on the coal pile and thence to the ramp, away from the boiling flood. It was four weeks before the burns on his legs and body healed enough to enable Adrian to go back to the plant. When he did, he immediately went to the Employment Manager and handed him a five and a ten. The ten is for Pete he said. Well, thanks! said the Employment Manager. You know we really owe you the money. That's all right said Adrian. The Employment Manager grinned. Had enough, did you? Yes. I had enough to convince the Society's doctor that he was nuts about my heart not being able to take excitement or strain. I am entering the Iesuit Order to- morrow.

Page 33 text:

X, ii' -P3 is EJ K' iil'Vl.!lvrlv7f ,Y ly ww ' if 7 ' I ll' 5 f p x l f fll ll lf, .tl 1 Too many cooks my spoil the broth, 5 but they always improve the pie. 1. F. O,Kocot1vek9 by BIG BILL KEEFE, '46 Shades of Bennett Cert! It's time for the Prep to come out again. Another year for the students to be tortured by that article known as POT PIE which has come to be an institution in spite oi itself. Since this is the Autumn Issue of the beloved Prep, we sub-title this column: The Corn Harvest If you have been wondering why POT PIE is always last in the Prep, I'll give you the reasons: l. The editors hope that no one will look that far and so will not find it. 2. The editors hope that it will get so far back that sometime it will tall out com- pletely. 3. The editors think that if it were any farther forward the students would stop read- ing right there and read no further. After you read the following works I'm sure you'll agree with me. i' Q 'lr -A' -k Letter From A Campion Student Dear Dad, GueSS what I need moSt ot all! Thats right! Send it along. BeSt wiShes to all. Your Son, Franciili Letter to a Campion Student Dear Son, NOthing ever happens here. We kNOW you like your school. Write us aNOther letter aNOn. NOW we have to say goodbye. Your loving, Dad And now, folks, if you'll pardon my poetry .... The Duck Behold the duck. It does not cluck. A cluck it lacks. It quacks. It is specially fond Of a puddle or pond. When it dines or sups, It bottom ups. But don't go way yet! Here's another: Willie put his baby brother In the ice-box. When his Mother Found the darling there, He-'cl become a frigid heir. O happy day! Here's still another that I dug up with my own little hands! There are to me two kinds of guys- And only two-that I despise: The first I'd like to slam Is the bird that copies my exam: The other is the dirty skunk Who covers his and lets me flunk.