Evening star. [volume], September 14, 1939, Page A-8, Image 8

About Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972

Image provided by: Library of Congress, Washington, DC

                
Modern Armies and Methods
Of War Progressively Cruel
Ruthlessness Visited Upon Noncombatants
Called Deliberate Part of Military Policy
By JOSEPH S. EDGERTON.
There is no prototype for the
modern army and the campaigns
now under way in Poland and West
ern Germany are showing with in
creasing clarity that the outcome of
given military situations today can
not be anticipated on the basis of
experience in the past history of
warfare.
Modern armies are unique crea
tions—the outgrowth of a mechanis
tic world physically and of a crassly
materialistic world psychologically.
The professional soldier today is a
different being than he has been;
the methods of conducting warfare
and the effects upon the general
populations of the warring countries
cannot be measured by any yard
stick of the past.
Modern armies, it is becoming
painfully apparents to a horrified
world, conform to different ideologies
than those of former days—they are
becoming more ruthless; the de
struction of non-combatants and
their homes and cities, despite
pledges and treaties, is the accepted
feature of the modern war and un
questionably this trend is becoming
and will become more pronounced.
Deliberate Military Policy.
Warfare today means, even more
than In 1914-1918, the mobilization
of the whole power of the state for
destruction, civilians sharing the
burden with the military. As a re
sult the line of demarcation between
the enemy soldier and the enemy
civilian is becoming less and less
marked; there is less and less re
pugnance evidenced toward the
slaughter of the civilian population.
Not since the days when the Mon
gols overran Europe has there been
a more cold-blooded destruction of
non-combatants thap the world wit
nessed in China, in Ethiopia, in
Spain and, if present indications are
to be credited, in Poland. Nor. if we
are to believe the evidence of re
cent years, has there ever been a
time when the destruction of civil
populations and their works has
been so much a deliberate part of
military policy as it has become.
Not so many years ago warfare
was the occupation of small armies
of skilled, professional soldiers. War
was a trade, with certain profes
sional ethics and standards. Except
as they wrere called upon to bear
the economic burdens of warfare,
civilian populations were little con
cerned unless they happened to be
in the direct path of battle. Even
then there was no deliberate at
tempt to massacre them or uproot
them. They took shelter and quickly
returned to their normal occupa
tions under whichever army hap
pened to be in control there at the
time.
Whole Peoples Take Pant.
The modern war is, as never be
fore, an emotional explosion in
which whole peoples, not mere pro
fessional corps representing only a
small proportion of the population,
participate. Warfare has become
for the warring nation a full-scale
affair requiring for its full success
a mass hysteria and a rabble-rous
ing leadership.
"The components of the modern
war machine are the army, the in
dustry that supplies its materials,
and the people—the soldier reser
voir,” says Maj. J. Halpin Connolly
in the Infantrv Journal. “Those
elements are not separate; they are
integral and correlated parts of one
whole—the war power of a people.
Attack any element and war is
being made. Attack them all at the
propitious moment, and the totali
tarian war is under way. And this
totalitarian war is not field armies
fighting but cultures at war, using
every possible agency for damaging
all three war elements—army, peo
ple. industry.”
The bombing of industrial plants
and other establishments behind
the battle lines which contribute to
the battle efficiency of a people will
become increasingly desirable if
enemy armies cannot be reached
and smashed easily. In earlier days
wars were won by defeating armies
—future wars, perhaps the present
war, may be won only by destroy
ing the people behind the army.
Nation’s Weakness Target.
“The war will come directly
against the people, not its engine of
war, for this engine of war may
be too difficult to reach,” Maj. Con
nolly says. “Surely the enemy will
strike not the fortified position, but
the basis of the whole army—indus
try and the people. It is sound
tactics to strike weakness, not
strength, and now nations, cultures,
make war, not armies alone. There
fore, it is not the weakness of the
army that will be assiduously sought
and struck, but the weakness of the
nation.
"It is idle to be appalled by the
thought of the dreadful scenes of
carnage in the rear. We can ex
pect a pitiless war against a na
tion, not against an army alone. It
will very likely come in our time—
the dr^ss rehearsal is now going on
* * * It is ipore than useless to de
cry the terrible casualties that air
craft will cause *among noncomba
tants. That feeling comes from the
day when warfare had a certain hon
or, even dignity. Today it has little,
tomorrow none * * * Signed treaties
preventing wars are openly, cyni
cally flouted and the long-lost cus
tom of sacking cities has returned.
Consequently, our future conflicts
will likely be wars of extermination.
Nothing in our crass modern philos
ophy would seem to prevent it.”
Confession of Purpose.
Is not the equipment of whole
peoples with gas masks a thoroughly i
i ' ..
ominous sign to the peoples of all
the world? It is, on its face, an
acknowledgement by the govern
ments of the peoples of the earth
of a belief that the civilian will be
sprayed with poison gas, bombed,
machine-gunned, subjected to a
warfare of utter extermination. It
is a confession of the truth of a
logic which dictates that if armies
cannot be conquered, then the peo
ples who provide those armies must
be smashed.
The conclusions to be drawn from
what goes on in the world today are
harsh and brutal. Naturally, the
whole age is brutal, the outgrowth
of a meterialistic culture.
“There is,” Maj. Connolly says,
“too much selfishness, too little
idealism: too little sentiment, too
much hedonistic thinking. In fact,
we are living in an age of scientific
pragmatism which sees man only as
a fairly high-type animal and little
else. We slaughter animals for the
good to society or for sport. Why
not men? It is but a short logical
step to reach the conclusion that
the slaughter of great groups of men,
women, and children may be neces
sary when such groups oppose us.
Frankly in many places in the
world today, when a group differs
from the ideology of the mass, it is
being promptly liquidated. Look
about and see it! In war, the out
landers will get short shrift from
such a mass mentality.”
Roosevelt Looks Ahead.
There is undoubtedly something
of this picture in the mind of Presi
dent Roosevelt in his recent radio
message to the Nation, in which he
declared that “the influence of
America shoi/ld be consistent in
seeking for humanity a final peace
which will eliminate, as far as it is
possible to do so, the continued use
of force between nations.”
It was undoubtedly with a mind
filled with thoughts of the probable
outcome off the modern war psycho
logy that the President told his fel- j
low Americans that “we have every
right and reason to maintain as a
national policy the fundamental
moralities, the teachings of religion
and the continuation of efforts to
restore peace—for some day, though
the time may be distant, we can
be of even greater help to a crippled
humanity.”
Eiffel Tower 'Tops'
The Eiffel Tower again proved
during the summer the most popu
lar attraction in Paris for tourists.
The bad weather cut down the at
tendance, but Mme. Devallet, who
has had charge of the telescopes
at the top platform for 15 years,
says she Is quite content with her
“season.”
h q h m For Magruder
KIkEE Customers
Anywhere in
DELIVERY Northwest Washington
Plymouth Rock Boullion or Jumbo
Roasting Brisket of Cu|-_ik--aj.
CHICKENS CORNED BEEF 5weeTDreaas
ib. 35c ib- 35c pair 59c
_Fresh Fruits and Vegetables ..
Fresh Western Green Peas_2 >»* 19c
New Crop Cooking Apples_3 *«>■• 10c
Sweet, Red, Tokay Grapes_3»»*- 19c
Open Daily Except Sunday From 8 AM. to 6 PM.
MAGRUDER, Inc.
1138 Connecticut Ave.
! (Between M and L)
When West Has a Sale—It's a REAL Sale
Last 2 Days
1 T FRIDAY “I
[_ SATURDAY J
y***^00*0*^ Last Call for
Those Who Want to Save on
Westyle Clothing Suitable for the Coming Season
Sidney West, inc. 14th & G
EUGENE C. GOTT, President
CUfln LERS
1-S--T- ^
I NEW. . .apure white ODORLESS*
cream which SAFELY j
REMOVES HAIR
•1. A fragrant whit# craam with- |
out uaual depilatory odor. >
2. Painlaai . , . not tnetty ... I
quick to uie. Aa aimpl. to ^ |
remove aa cold cream. S
3. Economical becauaa you ua. W^y ,
ao very little each time. |
4. Doea not irritate healthy, *'• j
normal akin. . IJ / i!
S. Removea hair cloee to akin, , / y j
leaving akin eoft, amooth, clean g J ■<
and fragrant. ‘
39/ fW
a tube I
MIR
LIGGETT DRUB STORES.)
fc———■—————————————■ !
^THE MODE’S F1MAL
I---1
Tomorrow it the lost time thif season you will have the opportunity
to acquire these "special bargain" items. Every one is of finest
quality and will probably never again be available at these prices. All
items may be charged and altered. Items subject to prior sale.
19 Richard Prince Topcoats
WERE $35 AND $40. Smartest models, lncludlns fly-front drapes.
Sties: Res.: 1-32. 6-34, 3-35. 1-38. 3-37, 1-38, 1-38, 1-40. 1-42. | AB
Shorts: 1-37. 1-38--- | f aJJg
16 Fashion Park Topcoats
WERE $45 AND $50. Pine imported fabrics: fly-fronts, raglans,
etc. Sties: 1-34. 3-36, 2-38, 2-38, 1-3B, 2-40. Shorts: 1-35. AB
1-38. Longs: 2-38. 1-40-- ft*|g«fO
142 Richard Prince Fall Suits
WERE $36 AND $40. All slses: Sharkskins, Tweeds. Shetlands, ^B
Coverts ___ ft Is IV
137 Fashion Park Fall Suits
WERE $45 to $86. All slies: finest Imported and domestic AB •*£!
fabrics - VVilV
SUMMLK CLOTHING:
4 SUMMER SUITS. Were *18.BO to $23.50. Sizes: Re*. 34, £ AC
35. 36. 39__- DlVV
1 WHITE “SPUN” SILK FORMAL COAT. Was *22.50. Site: A AC
36 Regular. Now- iflVW
31 TROPICAL WORSTED SUITS. Were $22 50. Sizes: 2-35,
2- 36. 6-37. 3-38. Shorts: 1-36. 1-37. 1-38. Longs: 1-37. 3-38. «A A£
Stouts: 1-39 3-40. 1-44. 1-46. Short Stouts. 2-40. 4-44._ I Ui**W
50 ENGLISH DRAPE TROPICAL SUITS. Were *30. Sires: Reg :
3- 35. 8-36, 11-37. 9-38. 8horts: 1-35, 2-36. 2-37. 4-38, 2-39. i£ AE
I- 40. 1-42. Longs: 1-.37. Stouts: 3-40- I Ui«fv
FURNISHINGS • HATS • SHOES
OB_$1.no to $2.50 NECKWEAR_S9e
12—$2.50 to*$3.50 NECKWEAR_79c
$2 Coll.-Att. SHIRTS . . . mostly Windsor Crepe. 14-13%: 27-14; 13-14%:
7-15; 1-15%: 9-16; 3-16%: 8-17; 5-17%_79c
$2-$3 50 Coll.-Att. or Neckband SHIRTS. Slightly soiled. 36-in. Sleeyes. 1-14:
II- 14%: 10-15: 10-15%_69c
53.50 Fancy Coll.-Att. SHIRTS. 2-14: 4-14%: 4-15 ;1-15%_1.69
*3 DRESS SHIRTS. Soiled. 6-13%; 2-15%: 2-16%: 1-17_«»r
Up to $3.50 SPORTS SHIRTS. 23-small; 4-med.: 7-large_S9c
$2 Fancy PAJAMAS. Sizes B. C and D_79c
$1 -$1.50 Athletic UNION SUITS. 4-36: 26-38: 9-40_59c
50c SHORTS. 26-32: 23-34: 12-38: 23-40: 35-42: 32-44_27c
50c Athletic UNDERSHIRTS. 2-34; 31-40; 32-44_27c
*1.00 Airon UNION SUITS_,_29c
50c Fancy »nd Light Shades HOSE. 12-10: 11-10%: 10-11_17c
3 Be Fancy HANDKERCHIEFS _ _. 15c
*3 to *5 GLOVES. 2-7: 8-7%: 1-7%; 1-7%: 2-8. Slightly golled_95c
$5.00 SPORTS ENSEMBLES. 1-med.; 2-large_1.95
$3.50 Southampton Broadcloth SHIRTS, 10-17'c-A. 8-17 N-B_1.39
$2 White Coll.-Att. SHIRTS. Slightly soiled. 2-16%: 4-16: 2-15%: 8-14;
6-15 _ 79c
$5.00 Featherweight FELT HATS_I_1.95
$10 and *12.50 Lightweight Celanese and Pure Silk ROBES_6-39
$3.00 WASH ROBES. 2-medium_ 1.59
Lot of WHITEHALL SHOES
Broken Sizes
Black, brown and Sports Models. Sold up to $8.50__8.65
*
--—■.IMPORTANT FALL OPENINGs^n.—
H AUCTION SALE!
(by" catalogue
French & English Furniture
Silverware and Objets d'Art!
from various sources, including a collection of fine
ORIENTAL RUGS
The property of
Mrs. Joseph Letter
together with
Furniture and Oriental Rugs
removed from the
“Silver Star” Exhibit Home, 5100 Tilden St.,
Spring Valley
• ANTIQUE SWORDS AND GUNS. • OIL PAINTINGS.
• INTERIOR DECORATIONS.
On Sale Today, Tomorrow j
and Saturday at 1 P.M.
Catalog on Request. 722 Thirteenth St. N.W.
Interesting Bedroom Groups
Remember only the genuine cabinet woods are used.
$138 American Hepplewhite Group, painted and hand
glazed. 3 pieces—full size bed, bureau and mirror,
chest - .. --$97-50
$160 Early American Group, solid rock maple. Full size bed,
bureau and mirror, chest or dressing table and mirror,
as you choose - - _ .$120
$145 Early Colonial Group, solid American walnut. 3 pieces,
full size bed, bureau and mirror, chest .$115
Interesting Dining Groups
Only genuine cabinet woods
$245 American Colonial Group, genuine Honduras mahog
any. 7 pieces, including sideboard, corner cabinet,
extension dining table, 2 arm chairs and 2 side chairs.^ |
$295 Hepplewhite Dining Group, genuine Honduras mahog
any, hand painted and wax finish. Sideboard serpentine
shaped, imposing china cabinet, shield back chairs,
double pedestal dining table. 10 pieces .$235
$335 American Colonial Group, genuine Honduras mahog
any. Each piece a splendid adaptation from an
original. 10 pieces - - . --$275
Interesting Living Room Pieces
| $110 Duncan Phyfe Sofa, exposed frame solid Honduras ma
hogany, brass claw feet, tailored in damask . -$89
$135 Chippendale Love Seat, exposed frame solid Honduras
mahogany. Down-filled cushions; tailored in damask.. 115
$140 English-type Sofa, exposed frame solid Honduras ma
hogany. Cushions are down-filled; damask tailoring.. 119
> $180 Hepplewhite Sofa, exposed frame solid Honduras ma
hogany; cushions are down-filled; tailoring is in damask. 145
$45 Early American Wing Chair, exposed frame solid maple,
tight upholstered seat, covered in attractive print; box
pleated skirt_
$55 Colonial Barrel Chair, both comfortable and decorative;
tailored in tapestry _ $42-50
$85 English Lounge Chair, the ideal man's chair; exposed
frame solid Honduras mahogany; the cushion is down
filled; tailored in genuine leather -$69-50
$47.50 American Queen Anne Easy Chair, with exposed part
in solid Honduras mahogany. Damask tailoring_ 38-50
, $80 Chippendale Wing Chair, exposed frame solid Hon
duras mahogany, with carved ball and claw feet, tai
lored in linen with crewel embroidery; down-filled cush
, ion -$59.50
' $25 Eighteenth Century Open Arm Chair, solid Honduras
mahogany frame; tight upholstered seat; damask
covering $1975
j $12 Sheraton Cocktail Table, genuine Honduras mahogany,
I pedestal base design - - $9-50
$27.50 Sheraton Console Table, genuine Honduras mahog
| any; serpentine front; reeded legs .$23-50
$98 Colonial Secretary-Desk, genuine Honduras mahogany;
{ spacious shelves above and drawers in base -- .$79-50
$69.50 Georgian Knee-hole Desk, genuine Honduras mahog
• any. A piece of very practical size and utility— .$59
W.&J.
= Sloane I
TWELFTH STREET^^h
/ 1