There are still many danger zones through which our civilisation must
pass before there is anything like security against calamities which
might destroy it for a long chapter of history. There are still many
points of peril which make one anxious even for the immediate future,
and it seems to me that, without raising imaginary bogies or allowing
pessimism to paint too dark a picture, it is necessary to look at these
possible causes of trouble and to realise the very thin ground upon
which we are all walking above smouldering fires.
The present dangers which must be eliminated somehow lest we all
stagger on to catastrophe are of three kinds: racial, social, and
economic. The last indeed is of such overwhelming influence upon racial
rivalries and social upheavals, that many students of modern history
are inclined to believe that it is the underlying meaning of all wars,
revolutions, and human struggles. The pressure of population, the need
of food, the desire to get raw material for industrial manufactures,
national competition to capture trade markets, are, according to the
modern school of thought, the main causes of international friction
and explosive episodes.
I agree as to the terrific importance of economic facts, especially in
this present time of history, when the world has been industrialised,
but there are other instincts in the human heart beyond the need of
food, other passions besides trade rivalry. The passion of race is one
of them. The passion of liberty for the race or nation is intense.
National pride, sentiment expressed in symbols, such as the Flag,
religious fanaticism, such as that of Islam, set human hearts on fire
and make them careless even of self interest or self preservation.
Before looking at the economic struggle which is looming ahead, and in
my opinion is going to be a possible cause of another world conflict,
one may see signs of racial passion stirring in many parts of the world
and threatening its future peace.