PAGE SIX
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN, LAWRENCE, KANSAS
FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 1948
Letters To The Editor
Strike Now?—Or Compromise
The following letters were written in repsonse to a letter entitled "Shoot Now" by Daniel M. Kirkhoff which appeared in the April 6th issue of the Daily Kansas. Mr. Kirkhoff said in part—"The United States should strike at the Soviets now. Within a few months we can send enough atomic bombs and germs into Russia to remove forever that country's threat to world peace. . . Editor.
Clean Democracyear Mr. Kirkhoff:
So that is how you would bring peace on earth! Suddenly, the United States should play God. We should decide "that nation is not fit to survive" and so pour terrible destruction and untold suffering on millions of innocent people.
Mr. Kirkhoff, have you ever thought of the Russians as individuals instead of "the Russians?" Have you thought of sweet, innocent babies dying because some monster nation dropped bacteria on their homeland? Of happy children, not responsible for their government's action, dying like flies because a godless nation dropped atom bombs? Don't you think God loves them as much as the Americans? Or don't you believe in a God who is a loving Father to all? Would you like to be responsible for all those innocent lives for bringing hell down to earth? Is America so perfect that God could not also destroy us? Did the angels sing, "Peace on earth, destruction to man?" Did Christ bring peace on earth and act with violence?
I'm not a lover of Russian aggression or communism. Many of the people of my faith were killed violently or shipped to Siberia during the Revolution and after, but we've learned from history that wars never settle anything. One nation cannot dominate the world, no matter how strong and powerful.
How to solve the problem? I'm no mastermind of political science or history but I think we should start by cleaning up our so-called democracy. Anyone looking about can see that we're not practicing good democracy. Next, be "straight-shooters" with other nations so they can trust us and know that we are a nation of good will. Yes, we must be strong too, but not as bullies and aggressors. Let's show the people of the world that our type of government is the absolute best and they will want to follow its pattern; then, Mr. Kirkhoff, wo won't need those policing armies and navies and we will really have brought peace to our world.
Impractical? Not if a great people like the Americans wish to make it practical. Not if individuals like you and I use our influence for peace instead of war.
Anne Lakin Student veteran's wife
Thanks
Thanks to Mr. Kirkhoff for satirically stripping the Kansas City Star of its embroidery.
Dear Sir:
Edwin Kelley
Graduate student
Edgar Sherbenou
College senior
Dewey Radcliff
College sophomore
The monkey wrench in the Democratic party machine apparently isn't a wrench, but a bolt.
Co-operation?
Dear Editor:
Perhaps Mr. Kirkhoff expressed a "realistic view" in his letter which was published April 6, but is it practicable; even if we were willing to overlook the obvious violation of ethical principles? It is clear that a practice of watchful waiting and appeasement will not bring about world peace, but how about trying to promote understanding and cooperation between us and the Russians instead of appeasement and power politics?
The reasons which he puts forth for starting a world conquest appear to be the strongest arguments against such a plan of action. Even if we were able to conquer Russia in a few months (which according to Frederick L. Schuman is not so probable) there would remain the problem of policing the entire world,
After such an act of aggression no nation would trust us and would seek every opportunity to strike at us. Since the weapons of bacteriological warfare are so easily produced, every country, no matter how small, would have to be policed—and by our own forces. This very act of policing would increase the resentment of all other people against us. Our army would have to be much larger than it is now and this policing would have to be carried on from now on, not just for a few years. This would certainly disrupt our way of life.
The way to peace appears to lie through understanding, co-operation, and making the people and nations of the world equal in power, not through making our nation a giant with a big stick who forces everyone to do things his way.
A. L. Bowman College sophomore
Italy is divided and will fall, but how hard depends upon which side she falls.
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It Ain't So!
The writer of the following letter is referring to the Kansan's April Fool story in which he was supposedly quoted.—Editor.
Dear Editor:
1111Mass. Phone 646
20% discount
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In re. issue of April 1, UDK.
It's all a communist plot to undermine faith in American traditions and in our form of government. I never said no such thing as that. Anybody who says I said that is subversive and attempting to overthrow the government by force. I say the Kansan and it's group of fellow-travellers, as far as that goes, anyone who reads that there propaganda should be sent back to where they come from.
Duane Postlethwaite College senior
Though we neither endorse nor decry the attitude of weekend Lawrence theater audiences toward advertisements on the screen, one must admit that it shows a school spirit and unity of purpose which the basketball games didn't.
"Spring Is In The Air"
And all young men whose fancy has turned to love... bring that certain girl to the best place in town for:
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