twenty-seven years and one million words
Today some Christmas cards arrived in the mail. I know for a fact that one was sent (from western Canada) on December 1. while the other came from Australia. Japan Post is usually so fast and reliable that it can be unsettling. I don't know what the issue can be here.
Naturally the common people don't want war: Neither in Russia, nor in England, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.