Wayland Central School - Hi Lites Yearbook (Wayland, NY)

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The KICK-OFF 1924 In 1871 Germany invaded France under slight pretext, and again in 1914 her mighty armies swept across Belgium into h ranee, tier- many forced France to pay heavy reparations after the war of 1871 and also seized the provinces of Alsace-Lorraine. France has silently waited fifty years for the day when Justice would awaken. Germany brought this about in her barbarous attack on Belgium in 11)14 and was forced to surrender in 11)18. In the treaty of Versailles Germany agreed to pay reparations to France in coal, iron and currency. After four years of useless endeav- ors, of ultimatums not made effective, and of agreements repeatedly broken the French and Belgian governments reached the conclusion that for the future the only methods to be applied were those used by Germany in 1871. M. Poincare, the premier of France, was the leading figure in promoting the Ruhr invasion. France, therefore, took posses- sion of the industrial and mining section which was within the Ruhr Basin. She claimed no covert ambition for the annexation of German territory nor any desire to disable Germany. Poincare stated that for four years the Allies struggled for the sole purpose of winning the war. “Now,” he said, “it is our duty to win the peace.” While in the Ruhr, France has discovered that Germany could have delivered the coal, that she could have paid in foreign currency and that the Security Police were in reality a military organization in disguise. Upon France’s occupation of the Ruhr Germany at once adopted a policy of “passive resistance” to frustrate France’s attempt to collect the reparation payments. The opinion in Germany was that France did not want reparations but that she wanted the Ruhr and the Rhine- land. Germany asserted that France bail refused to accept payments from her and that France was endeavoring to bring about a financial and economical collapse in Germany. Dr. von Rosenberg, the German Foreign Minister, stated that Germany was willing to make sacrifices and was ready to do all in her power to meet the French and Belgian demands. The world in general sympathized with France and Belgium in their seemingly militaristic movement against Germany. England seemed indifferent toward France’s military movement. She openly criticized France for her policy, and at one time the ties between the two nations were strained almost to the breaking point. As for the United States she would give no aid to France in her warlike move- ment. The American soldiers along the Rhine were withdrawn, and the United States became a neutral non-contestant. American senti- ment has been, however, for France because the United States and France fought side by side in the great struggle for freedom. On September -4, 1923 Germany definitely decided to surrender unconditionally to France and Belgium and to abandon her policy of

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The KICK-OFF 1924 home. The Bible stories are always welcomed by the public. It is not true that the common people do not care about the Bible stories. In a western village, the minister discovered that the young people of the community went to the neighboring city for their amusements. lie in- stituted educational ar.d religions movies and soon the young people tilled his church. The little village church soon proved unable to ac- commodate all who came. Business men noticed that people outside of the town were attracted and their trade was increased. The impersonal motion picture makes an appeal which often could not be made successfully otherwise. For example, when a preacher addresses the inmates of a prison, no matter how tactfully, they will hold themselves aloof from him. Yet when they see a movie, they make personal application which in the other case they refused to do. Thus motion pictures often reform the lives of criminals. The value of pictures in Americanzation work is also very great. It induces the foreigners to learn the English language, and also shows them the American way of living and doing business. In order to inform the workers of the source of material, uses of the finished product, etc., industrial movies have been introduced. The miner sees his coal and ore being converted into power, wonderful structures, slops and machinery; the miller sees the different uses to which his flour is put. Thus, the way in which the motion picture may be used in educa- tion is unlimited. New ways suggest themselves continually. Because of its far-reaching power, it is, in a sense, the greatest educator of the world. L. J. L. THE RUHR INVASION On January 11, 1023 the news was Hashed to all the civilized na- tions of the world that French and Belgian armies were moving into the Ruhr valley, which is a valuable mining section in northwestern Ger- many. The Ruhr valley has abundant deposits of coal and iron and is the center of Germany’s mining industries. When the World war broke out the Ruhr valley became practically one vast city of mines and factories, working day and night in an attempt to supply the German armies with death-dealing instruments and other equipment for the maintenance of the war. Milhous of people were indignant and millions of others sympathized with France and Belgium. Why should France and Belgium send armies into German territory in time of peace? France occupied the l.ulir because she believed it to be the only means bv which she could obtain reparations from Germany.

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The KICK-OFF 1924 “passive resistance” in the Ruhr. By this step Stresemann, the Chan- cellor of Germany, hoped to clear the road lor the settlement ot the reparation struggle. France and Belgium were justified in their invasion of Germany. They were in the right because Germany had made no attempt to pay the reparation debt. Even now I do not believe that Germany’s uncon- ditional surrender is in good faith. She has failed to comply with her agreements in the past, and unless the German people stand together and support the movement for peace some leader with imperialistic ideals may again plunge Europe into a great war, and all of her prom- ise's will be forgotten. In my opinion the only way to insure peace for Europe is for the nations of the world to give moral support to France and Belgium. Every nation must he willing to make sacrifices before there can be world peace. It is the duty of every nation to see that the lives of those brave men who died on the battlefield have not been sacri- ficed in vain but that their bravery and unselfishness has made the world forever “safe for democracy.” C. J. M. ’24. CLASS HISTORY As most classes have some history connected with their courses so have we—the Seniors of ’24. It may not be nearly so great as that of classes heretofore but nevertheless it is of some interest to most of us and we hope that it may also be interesting to you, friends. In September, 1920, we entered High School, as a bunch of green Freshmen, not daring to say our name was our own. There were about forty of us. It did not take long to become acquainted, some forming close friendships which last even today. This is really remarkable for some girls and boys There were small school parties held every now and then at the school building. These helped to develop us along social lines. There was little activity during our Sophomore year. The only large event was a grand Hallowe’en party. Nearly every one was masked and we had a fine time playing games and dancing. Many of our members had fallen by the wayside by our Junior year. Some had left school or gone to other towns. Last June as a Junior class we entertained the Seniors by giving them a dance. In January, 1924, the Senior class organized, electing Clark Wallace President, Goldena Bill Vice President, Clare Maginley Secre- tary and Addie Weidman Treasurer. We selected gray and old rose for class colors and for class flower a pink rose. I will now try to give you a brief history of each member’s life.