THE CHINA MAIL, FEBRUARY 6, 1937,
The Modern War Psychosis:
How Are Our Children Being Educated
FOR PEACE OR WAR?
MANKIND is prepa- ernment thought it prudent to Russia and Japan were sub- they have likes and dislikes and
Yet the wish for peace is strong. Though mili- tarism is organised as never before, the organ isation is not all on one side.
ring for war.
press this revealing volume, but its jected to a corresponding question in many cases it has been found importance is none the less on that naire! Would not their replies dis- that e traditional prejudice has account. The view is that, from close a similar necessity for a wise been, mainly responsible for ill- earliest childhood, a new geners- education in what ought to be feeling. This yields to the influence tion must be impregnated with a citizenship within an interdepen- of closer acquaintance. In one case philosophy of force.
dent and scientific civilisation?
Militarism-is-the inspiration of
sisters as well as brothers. In Octo- No Derision. ber, 1934, Reich Director Trude
.
a group of children outspoken in criticism of Italians were taken to a camp where Italian children were their hosts. The result was a com-
plete liquidation of hostilities.
Mohr, speaking at Cologne, told the At the Friends Seminary in Stuy- Nazi : Girls Association that it was vesant Square a training school was In the United States the will to their duty to adopt a wholly Nazi held for 477 teachers, where there peace is manifest in the activities view of life and code of behaviour." was a course of instruction in plan- Suspicion, hatred and misunder- of no fewer than 360 listed societies.
These girls must be “heroic." ning and conducting peace program- standing may be as prevalent as They differ in importance and in They must aspire to the patriotism mes which included music, games, disease. But they are no more in points of view, but they are unani-
of "the German woman who brought worship and visits to museums. Co- accordance with the nature and mous in asserting that another
a sword of her husband as a wedd- lumbia University Extension in- purpose of man than the diseases world war would be insanity. Upon
ing gift."
cludes five training schools with let us say, leprosy which once this general issue religion is united
The new science of psychology eleven courses that emphasise edu- flourished throughout Europe. Ex- and allied with democracy.
has been studying the results of cation for peace and appropriate perience shows that quarrels be Hitherto militarism and pacifism education for war. In October, action based thereon. Methods vary, tween communities cannot be per- have fought, as it were, with dif-
1933, a group of 339 psychiatrists, but not the atmosphere that sur- petuated if individuals are allowed ferent weapons. Brute force does
drawn from thirty countries, in- rounds the boys and girls. It is a and encouraged to be better not argue. Altruism can do little
cluding Italy and Germany, insisted complete contrast to the antipathe acquainted. The Montagus and the else. It always has been a battle between the bomb that bursts and on the "appalling" perils inherent tie bellicosity that is essential to Capulets as tribal organisms per-
in a "war psychosis." They enum- education for war.
sist in their feud. But, to use a par- goodwill centres children abie, Romeo and Juliet fall in love. The protagonists now meet on the erated the "delusions and halluci- In same field. The militarist has dis- nations" out of which such a war have arranged plays which show covered that munitions are not enough. He must be master of pub- lic opinion. In the realm of public opinion here is a fight to the finish, and public opinion is the product of education.
the breeze that blows.
By P. W. Wilson
Militarism assumes that nations psychosis develops. In particular how "we all need one another" are bound to be potential enemies. these mental experts stated that the in other words, that it takes every of activity and product of There is an antipathy, latent or popular ideas of war as they find kind active, that nothing can change, expression in full-dress uniforms, labour to maintain a home in a mo- Children have learned The new pacifism challenges the military display and the like are dern city. theory that communities have to be no longer in keeping with the reali- how to run a co-operative store, a antipathetic. An interpretation of ties of war itself the actual hor first-aid station and other enter- this crisis is that antipathies are rors that are perpetrated. violent because they are desperate, that we are witnessing the birth pangs of a wholly different concep- tion of human relations.
*
A conference on new ideals in education was held in the Spring at Here is a fundamental issue Oxford University. In welcoming antipathy or sympathy-and it can the delegates Dr. Cyril Norwood, only be appraised by considering, president of St. John's College, said first, what is education for war; that "we were witnessing a race be- second, what is education for peace tween education" he meant cul-
prises that stimulate a considera- tion for others than themselves.
According to the testimony of the Peace Action Committee, added to a great body of similar experi- ence. there is little if any difficulty in developing the international mind among boys and girls. They collect stamps from countries other than their own and, similarly, they are receptive of ideas. What goes on in the world as a whole is a part of the great adventure which is youth's conception of his Own existence.
Children grow up to be what society makes them Education for war is contrary to the observed na- ture of the normal child and, There is an endeavour to dis- therefore, of the race. Such educa- courage the use of derisive terms tion by restricting the child's true like dago, wop, nigger, and so on. personality is a denial of man's nor- Children are asked frankly why mal activities when he is mature.
From this contrast the verdict must tural as distinct from militaristic NEW GAS FIRE SCHEME
be drawn.
education and catastrophe "
Education for war is only too Spontaneous
familiar. The student, however Pacifism young, and the alumnus; however
old, have one ultimate reason for According to the American Peace. eristence Father, – mother, son of Action Committee, spontaneous -daughter-it makes no difference pacifism has a political value and is subject absolutely to the demands should be allowed opportunity for of-the military and autocratic ma- reasonable expression. Youth is not chine.
wrong in acclaiming friendship Take Italy, In September, 1934, amid enmities and such a crusade is announced a policy of an alternative to the discontent that
Splitary culture. Italian boys be- sometimes develops into commun-
tween the ages of 6 and 8 years ism. But a more or less explosive were enrolled as Wolf Balillas" pacifism has to be regarded also as and were dressed in black shirts a symptom that something, deeper with gray and green shorts. These than itself, is wrong with society. boys are taught the use of arms A hatred of war is itself a form and, as they proceed to secondary of hatred. It means that war is schools, are
with quot- still a peril and no hatred is ever
ing offcamilarise ka glorious a solution.
traditions of war." Promotion to higher classes, graduating certifi cates and degrees at universities de pend on military proficiency.
Heroic
German Girls
Professor Adelaide Case of Tes- chers College, Columbia University, has examined 370 boys and girls be tween the ages of 10 and 15 years. More than 34 per cent supposed that the Kellogg pact was a company that makes break food; 60 per cent supposed
the United
In Germany, likewise, this policy States belongs to the League of Na is pursued with relentless logic. tions. One third was sure that most The Nazisappointed Professor Mexicans are trying to stir up trou... Ewald Bause to a chair in the ble with the United States and more Technical High School of Bruns than a thir Wick He desped a textb
science,
be known as a child's guide
on a danger of ito States
Let us
In October, 1933, the German Gov girls in France, Germ
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