---
title: Improvement Era
description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930.
authors:
  - Hugh J. Cannon
collections:
  - periodicals
tags:
  - magazine
  - improvement-era
periodical: Improvement Era
volume: 34
number: 1
published: 1930-11
publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations
publisher_place: Salt Lake City
language: en
type: magazine
reference: "Hugh J. Cannon, “Editorial,” *Improvement Era* 34, no. 1 (November 1930): 3–3."
source:
  url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera3401unse
  transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers.
  identifier: improvementera3401unse
start_page: 3
end_page: 3
rights:
  status: public-domain
  basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1930-11)
  source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera3401unse
  publication_year: 1930
  note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1930, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright.
---

# Editorial

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EDIT O R I AL Hugh J. Cannon Managing Editor Heber J. Grant Editor Elsie Talmage Brandley Associate Editor The United States of Europe TN the realm of world politics no subject is receiving ■*■ more consideration than that indicated in the foregoing title. The possibility of effecting such a union has long been discussed, finding favor in some quarters and meeting violent opposition in others. Desirable as this consummation would be, it seems almost incredible that nations which for centuries have cultivated distrust and even hatred can be made to coalesce merely by the signing of a paper. The creation of a United States of Europe is the cherished dream of M. Briand, tenacious French for- eign minister, and in face of influential antagonists who believed this was merely the fanciful scheme of an idealist, he has succeeded in bringing it before the league assembly at Geneva. The world is eagerly watching developments. Would such a coalition soothe the restless and dan- gerous European spirit? Would it enable Italy and France to reach a satisfactory naval limitation agree- ment? Would it allay the animosity which for gen- erations has existed between France and her Rhine- land neighbor, or the commercial jealousy aroused in England by the words "made in Germany?" Few neutral students of the situation care to give a posi- tive answer. The most threatening danger in Germany seems to be of internal origin. As indicated by the recent elec- tion, the Fascist growth, under the leadership of Adolph Hitler, the modern "man without a coun- try," is viewed by many as an immediate peril. Some observers think a revolution is imminent. It might easily be precipitated by an alliance distasteful to the people. It is interesting to recall the words of Prof. Vogel, of the University of Berlin. After critically analyz- ing old world conditions he concludes that only m this union is safety to be found. And yet in his book "The -New Europe," (Das neue Europa) he says: "And thus much blood will flow, endless trouble and nameless suffering visit the nations before they are ripe for a brotherly union of European peo- ples— the United States of Europe." <ia<*8J<)V=i«- A Well Balanced Plan DEFERENCE was made in a recent issue of the Era -*A to the words of the Lord: * * * "Seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith." The Church has long taught that men are saved no faster than they gain knowledge. Naturally this must be real knowledge and not the theories and no- tions of men which are wholly false or in which the truth is not correctly interpreted. A false philoso- phy, regardless of the standing of him who advances it, will not save. . Some, unfortunately, depend solely upon their faith for the wisdom and knowledge they desire. It is the easy way of doing — the line of least resist- ance— and usually becomes the habit of the indolent believer. It is such a simple matter to ask Father for what we want. But the other extreme, that of depending for the acquisition of knowledge and wis- dom upon study alone, while perhaps more com- mendable, is hardly less dangerous. The well balanced plan announced by the Al- mighty, through his chosen servant, Joseph Smith, of combining study with faith will appeal to every thoughtful person. Thereby one comes to a knowl- edge of real truth, which is to know "things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come." •usisSsvo*- A Third Party 7N many of the states opposition to the eighteenth ■*- amendment is beginning to assume a more definite and active form than has been the case. Steps leading to the formation of a new party, which has as its objective a modification of existing laws, have already been taken in some localities and are under consider- ation in others. Efforts in this direction are being put forth in Utah. Some of the participants in this movement are without doubt men of high character who them- selves have no desire to drink, but who honestly be- lieve that the dry law has been weighed in the balance and found wanting. Others profess to see in it an infringement of their personal rights. They want liquor but do not care to acknowledge themselves as law breakers. Naturally there are also many strong advocates of the new party who are inferior in char- acter to either of these classes, and who would gladly see a return of the saloon, something, however, to which even ardent "wets" professedly are opposed. The position occupied by the Latter-day Saints is different from that of other people. Their Church teaches them to honor the laws of the land; and it teaches them, too, that the Lord has spoken clearly and positively on the subject of liquor. While they wonld not, even if they could, prescribe the course which all others must follow, they are not willing to allow liberties to any class the exercise of which vio- lates the rights of others. There can be no question in the minds of anyone as to the position of the Church in this matter. — H. J. C.