Editorial
Media
Part of Sino-Philippine Research Journal
- Title
- Editorial
- Language
- English
- Source
- Sino-Philippine Research Journal Volume I (No. 1) September 1940
- Year
- 1940
- Rights
-
- Fulltext
- EDITORIAL The world today is suffering from a dilemna. More than half of the world's population is thrown into chaos and confusion as a result of the present wars raging in Europe and in Asia. To a pessimist, all efforts towards alleviating human suffering and woe, ~nd to foster international peace and goodwill among nations are in vain, for the March of Time is heading for a catastrophe which seems to spell the doom of civilization. Shall we then give up hope? Before answering this question, let us closely analyse the cause of the world's ailments, and thereby arrive at a solution to the moving problems of the day, however bad and hopeless they may appear. It is a fact, that has to be admitted, that the tide of nationalism is spreading like wild fire in every clime and region. More ominous and significant is the fact that nationalism is being fostered culturally by every means of education and propaganda, and that this culture is essentially militaristic in charact.er. "My Country First," is the slogan heard and echoed from the lips of many a youth from every land. Is there anything wrong with nationalism? The answer is an emphatic negative. But, on the contrary, if practiced anc! overdone as in many cases to the detriment and wilful harming and injuring of the other fellow's interest and welfare, then, and only then, nationalism may be branded as undesirable and the sooner it is discarded the better. ,/Selfishness is the root and evil of all popular nationalism found in almost every country. One nation envies the volume of trade and the large tract of fertile oasis owned by a neighbor, and as a result this motto is followed "Might is Right" -that in short, accounts for the international brigandage and crime of the most heinous nature committed in the name -0f Self-Defence and the preservation of international peace and safety. The sacrificing of innocent lives and the winning of battles will not solve problems between nations, but rather, new and more perplexing problems will arise demanding solution. Naturally, the question will come up as to what then is the road which leads to better understanding and goodwill among the family of pations. The method is simple as can be, yet, few seem to carry it out successfully. The reason is, not that they are unable but that they are wilfully unwilling to do so. 2 EDITORIAL Woodrow Wilson was an idealist and truly the League of Nations which he founded represented an idealistic type of internationalism. In a world ruled by force the League was doomed to failure not only it lacked the means to exercise the moral authority it might have possessed, but also because of the fact that this resurgence of nationalist sentiment has been accompanied by a corresponding decrease in the forces making for internationalism. Some of the world's most difficult problems are solved riot in the battlefields but rather around conference tables. Organizations such as the Schools and Societies are powerful instruments to foster peace and goodwill among peoples. Let's talk it over, has been and should be the prevailing attitude of every conscientious and earnest seeker of peace and goodwill among the brotherhood of nations. It is with this express view in mind that the Sino-Philippine Research Journal has come into existence. Amidst perplexing problems and colossal tasks that confront nations today, the birth of such idealistic and Uto'[)ian dreams may seem to many to be only feeble and frail efforts which might be likened to that of "a voice crying in the wilderness" and which availeth but little. Nothwithstanding the many odds and obstacles on the way, there is, however, a consoling thought that no matter how small and insignificant the efforts put forth, these would serve as smoothing oil to a great machinery in helping to cultivate better feelings of two peoples who have for centuries been blended by blood and trade relations. There are hardly any two races of peoples in the face of the earth that have existed so amicably and who understand each other so well as the Chinese and the Filipino peoples. Our efforts will not be in vain if this organ could only serve as the means of maintaining and strengthening the bond of friendship between China and the Philippines. Inventions have caused the world into its present small size, and more and more nations can exist only as interdependent upon one another. Being close neighbors f ~r both China and the Philippines there lie ahead great possibilities of trade and mutual commercial relations. In this first issue, the maiden trip, as it were, of this Sino-Philippine friendship boat, it presents the facts and the historical background of the many centuries of cordial relationship between the Chinese and the Filipinos.