“community of interest.” For the first
time they realize fully the meaning of
interdependence of nations. Rotary
clubs can and should capitalize on this
opportunity to develop a complete un-
derstanding between people which will
result eventually in the building of a
world economy on a basis of mutual
welfare.

International understanding and good
will must start with the individual if he
is to be a sufficiently intelligent citizen
of his country to have an influence in
bringing about better relations between
countries. Approaching international
service from this angle it is clear that
even with most of the world at war there
are still as many opportunities for in-
ternational service as there are indi-
vidual Rotarians.

The World a Unit

The war is demonstrating that
the old order of things is fast changing.
Swifter forms of communication and
transport have brought the peoples of
the world into new and more intimate
relationships. Seas no longer divide con-
tinents—they unite them. Thought is
almost instantly transmitted over limit-
less areas. Distance is now measured
not by miles but by minutes and the
world has shrunk to the proportions
of a neighborhood.

Today human needs are overleaping
old boundaries, and labor and capital
have to find their opportunities regard-
less of clime or race. Mass production
spurring nations to seek readier access
to sources of supply and even wider
outlets for their products, leads to in-
creasing internationalization of produc-
tion and distribution. Except by un-

economic substitutions, national self-
sufficiency is an impossibility nowadays
as no country in the world possesses all
the raw materials, nor the food stuffs,
nor the luxuries used by a civilized pop-
ulation.

International Trade

For that reason international trade
plays an important part in the pros-
perity of any nation. At the same time,
because of its importance, it is often the
source of international frictions. Trade
barriers, conflicts for markets and un-
fair dealings in international trade all
produce ill will between countries. If
these antagonisms and frictions can be
reduced and at last removed much
progress will have been made in the
direction of world peace. In the field of
international trade there is therefore
infinite opportunity for good if Rotary’s
ideal of service can be made to prevail.

Today’s Need

Never has greater need existed for
cooperation, understanding, and good
will. When selfishness, distrust and fear
prevail, disaster is the inevitable result.
The welfare of the world demands that
the facilities for better conditions of
living and health, for domestic comfort,
for efficient and economical business
methods and similar boons shall be
shared by all peoples in a spirit of
mutual helpfulness.

Mental Disarmament

Experience has shown that merely
bringing people together is not in itself
a guarantee of peace. On the contrary,
it may be a cause of strife. For example,
closer association of those who, by in-
stinct, tradition or training, regard one
another as foes and who are thereby

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