Their generous use builds up proper psychology for conflict, noted Viennese declares
Chicago, Ill., Nov. 4 (AP)—Among the little things that start big wars, Dr. Alfred Adler, widely known Viennese psychologist, observed today, are metaphors.
He contended that in order to build up war psychology it is first necessary to stir the people. One of the favorite forms is speech-making with generous use of the metaphor, such as terming the home force the "bulwark of civilization" and the enemy the "destroyer of democracy."
Dr. Adler, small, smiling, gray-haired and keen, in an interview asserted this had worked out in Italy and every other nation that had taken up arms.
"People know more than they understand," he said. "The leaders instinctively understand how to arouse them. Metaphors are used to arouse. Heroic words are uttered. By means of propaganda the people come to believe theirs is a religious or cultural mission. There is marching. Heroic music is played. Everybody wants to be a hero."
There are many more potential heroes before a conflict, he remarked, with a twinkle through rimless spectacles, than actual heroes when it is ended.
Fuente: «Dr. Adler Says Metaphors Great Aid in Starting Wars», Buffalo Courier-Express, Buffalo (N.Y.), 5 de noviembre de 1935, primera sección (página sin numerar en la copia), junto a la información sobre la guerra de Etiopía; despacho de Associated Press fechado en Chicago el 4 de noviembre, sin firma. Transcripción hecha sobre la imagen de la página en Fulton History (Buffalo NY Courier Express 1935 - 8847), cotejada con el OCR de la plataforma, que mezcla columnas. Ecos de la misma declaración (editorial «Patriotic Metaphor» del mismo diario, 7-11-1935; Ballston Spa Daily Journal; Beacon News) no se reproducen.